The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-10
THE PEACE RUMoRs.

THE PEACE RUMoRs.
Tho Peace nxe,temsnt 1nro.sAo.t Eurepe
-& hat cha PrespoCts3
CFrom the Journai Dc St Petersburg Jan 1.j AZ,
In consequence Of the general desire Of Europe,
the Russian government has not wished to delay
the work Of conciliation By entering into negotia
tions of detail, trusting that her moderation ,cA BE-
duty appreciated.
From the Berlin Despatch Jan. 22l
The announcement Of the English journals that
Russia has been required not to refortfy the Aland
The nece ssty for economy had become 30 great
in Russia, that the Czar, in regulating the Budget
for 1865, struck out all pensions granted within the
last two years, unless for military service.
In the diplomatic circles 1t is expected that the
allies win maintain an army of occupation in Tur.
key till the reforms in favor Of the Christians are
brought into execution and drmly established
Difficulties are apprehended on this point on the
part OF both Russia and Turkey.
An army Of occupation, it is said, must be re-
quired for TIE Princpalites which must be English
We learn by way Of Vienna that the electric wire
between Constantinople and Belgrade is again at
work, after having been out Of order for at least
month.
DEFENCE OF THE RUSSIAN POLICY.
Will it still be pretended that Russia is the make
bate of Europes that it is Russia that wished for
war? It is seaacely forty eight hours since that
said that Russia, listening to the unanimous wishes
Of lEurope-which, anxious, timid, and f0reseeing
terrible calamites in the prolongation of the war;
implored peace from her-w0uld not turn deaf
ear to that plaintive voice Of humanity, and would
make sacrifices with the most noble selfdenial. We
said so frankly, convinced that we were right; and
we have not been deceived But we should be de-
ceiviDg our readers, and showing ourselves unwor
thy OF the confidence with which we always sought
to inspire them, should pretend that Russia only
accepted the propositions of peace made to her to
please Europe. s-
1t is not Tor us to develope this argument, for it
would not satisfy u.s. and thank heaven we are in
dependent enough to say what we think. Truly,
Power like Russia should never lose sight Of the
wishes and Interests of Europe. She ought to
know, at PINCH how to sacrifice her welfare to
the happiness of others But there is limit to all
things, even to generosty-even to selfdenial.
Who would believe it, even if we state it, that Rus.
sia has just sacrificed her interests to those of Eu
rope and that she has shown herself more European
than Russian? No one. And we ourselyes-we
own tive would not believe it. f
We shall, therefore, he more sincere, and we shall
be the more readily believed, when We say that
because it was her interest to do 50, because she
ought TO do 80; ana we win cay why. - = -
Every impartial, loyal, and just minded man mu,t
own that since the commencement of the war Russia
was always desirOus OF peace, and that it always
slipped through her fingers because she was never
allowed to conclude it, This time she found herself
in more advantageous conditions to obtain her object
After the heroic defence of SebastopO the efforts Of
the immense obstacles opposed to them by the Rus
slams; and in ASIA where she took the offensive she
achieved great success by the capture Of Kars
In this position, and still in her full vigor, Rus
sia could await, yet desire peace. She herself
made the first propositions, and when those of
the allies reached her through the medium Of
Austria she did not hesitate to accept them, for,
with trifing difference, they were nearly the
same which had received her assent at the Vienna
conferences. One point only presented itself for the
frat time. and seemed to have been purposey in
serted to prevent once more the work OF peace.
Already on her first refusal, whi ;h, however, was
not categorical refusal, Austria evinced nclina
ton to break off her relations with Russia, and to
increase the complications of the war; while at Lon
don men exulted at beholdng Russia once more fall
into the snare. She might, In fact, have found the
whole of Europe arrayed against her, which the
force Of circumstances and complication OF ins
dious engagements would have reduced, against
its will, to tnat hard extremity. 1t was here that
the real enemies of Russia laid wait tor her it is for
this result that England abored. Russia has upset
their calculations, and she has done well.
But we maintain that it was her duty to do 30 on
another ground, which refers to the future-a word
which great Power must never lose sight of in its
most grave resolutions. What is, in fact, the real
cause of the war? What is the motive Of this gene
ral universal mistrust into which the very friends
of Russia have been drivcn2 The cause is that
which all the most solemn declarations Of Russia
have not been able to annul, and which would al
to say, material proof had been brought forward to
contradict it ; it is the idea that the dream of the
ambition of Russia was the conquest Of CONSTANT
nople However absurd, ridiculous, contrary to the
most patent facts, was such misconcepton, never
theless it was so widely spreadit had struck such
deep root in public opinion-that il would always
have been an immense and most disadvantageous
obstacle to Russia. Her adversaries therefore put
syllogism to her, which, although coming from
enemy, had nevertheless certain value.
If You are sincere" they said. Sin your protesta
tions not to wish to seize upon Turkey, why not at
one blow demolish that terrible supposton, which,
rightfully or wrongfully, will always be suspended
over your head by ceding to the Porte small tract
Of land which brings you in nothing, aud which is
OF no possible use to you except for the invasion OF
make that material concession all Europe will be-
lieve that you do not follow the dreams of aggran
dizement attributed to you it will do moreit will
own that it was in error"
Russia has just given this material proof Of good
faith to Europe, and in giving it she excaims, DO
you believe me n0wi'
Russia has therefore destroyed at one blow the
her. and the about to be again laid for her too
great susceptibility by the hatred of those who
gard the present war less political than as q
national one.
THE NEWS IN ST. PETERsBUR
st. Petersburg, (Jan le event 81 Correspondence OF
report is going the round like wildare The
Emperor is said to have given his adhesion to the
Austrian uitimatum. No one will believe it to be
true. Nevertheless, it is SO. No member of the i'm
PSia Vi VI tiC Oouuch VI sAI lI.uPuot hvs
one Of the Ministers, not even M. dc Ne,selr0de,
could have predicted this morning the pacific reply
of the Gar Alexander III.
For the last two days Prince Alexander Gortscha-
koff the Russian Envoy at Vienna has kept the tel
egraph in continual play appealing to the good SEN
timents of the Russian government in favor Of
peace. He pointed out the serious consequences
that would result rom categorical REFUSAL
This morning the Emperor Alexander sent for the
Chancellor and M. de Seniavn, to make them ac-
quanted with the decision he had adopted, and his
to Count Valentine Esterhazy. 1t was the Under
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who was
charged TO take the note to the Austrian Plenipo-
tentiary. tthe same time, summary Of the note
was forwarded by telegraph to Vienna.
Count Nesselrode's notification to Count Esterhazy
commenced as follows:
In giving an additional proof Of the pacific seni-
lance of mower of Europe. His Majesty, my august