The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-08

Peace.
Some consistency is given to the peace
shadows which have been foating in the
political atmosphere, by the publication of
the Austrian ultimatum of which Count Ester.
hazy is said to have been the bearer on his re-
turn to St Petersburg. The London Post, the
Pa]merston organ, states the conditions of this
document to be:--First The entire exclusion
of the military marine OF Russia from the
Black Sea, the dismantling OF her tortresses on
its coasts, and the establishment OF consuls
in each port to certify to the strictly CONNER
cial character Of her shipping; in other words,
the complete extinction of her maritime supre-
macy in the Euxine. Second. The absolute
renunciation of all rights of interference with
the Sultan's dominion over his Subjects and Of
protectorate over the Danuoian Principalities,
together with the cession Of q portion of Bes-
sarabia comprising the mouths Of the Danube.
Tho Post adds that other important terms i'm
plying an intention of also gripping the power
Of Russia in the Baltic-such for instance as an
obligation not to rebuild the Notifications Of
Bomarsund-a are also laid down in this ultima
tum. If the description given of them by our
London contemporary be correct, no conditions
more humiliating and degrading were ever
dictated to q thoroughly subjugated nation.
The most extraordinary feature Of the trans
action, however, is that such condition should
have been prepared and formally proposed ~
Austria under a threat OF Withdrawing h +
ambassador from st. Petersburg in the event
Of their rejection by the Gar
It is manifest that there must be some gross
exaggeration in these statements. The Post,
although it has the credit Of being the per-
sonal organ Of Lord Palmerston, occasionally
falls victim to the INVESTIGATIONS Of men in Of
flee. 1t is in fact used by the Premier more as
an instrument OF political diversion than as the
serious vehicle OF his sentiments aud intentions
We must, therefore take quqasum valea its
version Of thi. document From the vague
description of it given in the Paris correspon-
dence of the London Times, we may, neverthe-
less assume that although it does not proceed
to the length stated by the Post, the conditions
imposed in it are much more stringent than
those exacted by the four points formerly re-
jected. France would, it seems have been sat
isfied with milder terms, but England insists
that the humiliation Of her great rival shall
be complete Some difference upon this point
might have arisen between the two govern
ments but for the Intervention of the King of
Sardinia, who, it would appear is more of
diplomat than people have given him credit
or.
We scarcely think it necessary to discuss the
question whether Russia will accede to con-
ditions such as Count Esterhazy is said to be in
structed to propose to her. We cannot see the
slightest grounds for assuming the correctness
Of such an hypothesis Taking it for granted
that Austria has proceeded to the lengths
stated, it does moi alter her position towards
Russia to such an extent as to exercise any i'm
mediate controlling influence over her Aus.
tria may Withdraw her ambassador from ST.
Petersburg, but it by no means follows that
she VIII afford any more active cooperation
than before to the Allies. The relations of
the other Powers towards Russia have under
gone no material change since the last nego-
tiaiion. The treaty with Sweden and Den
nark is Of negative character, and intended
Iather TO prevent the Car obtaining fresh
ann Of offence than to commit those govern
ments to hostilities against him. OF the I'D
verse action Of Sardinia, Switzerland, or even
Spain, Alexander may make small account.
They will not weigh feather In the balance
of the struggle.
Have the reverses sustained by Russia
been Of character to reduce her to that de-
pendent state which alone would justify the
acceptance Of such harsh conditions? Judg-
ing from our remote point Of view, we
can arrive ct no such conclusion. The Rus
slams must be very different men from those
who fought the campaign Of 1872 if they feel
disheartened at the results Of the hostilities Of
the present war, SO far as they have gone
They have, in fact, gained more military glory
by them in twelve short months than by al the
previous contests in which they have been
engaged They have sustained, single handed
struggle against the combined hosts OF the
two greatest naval and military nations OF
Europe; they have wasted and destroyed the
hosts which they have sent against them
drawn heavily upon their financial resources,
and impoverished their commercial interests
without themselves exhibiting any marked