The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-18


the 18th inst. They will be found to contain
. valuable commentary upon the tr esty; and
should peace last in Europe, they will neces-
sarily become the most import ant document
extant on its political relations and public law.
With one or two exceptions t'Ie reports are not
perbatim; Europe has not Yet made such pro-
grees that all the proceed .ngs of its rulers can
bear the daylight; but these protocols are
step in the right direction, and are the next
best thing to sach report as we should insist
upon, were ouch conference to meet here.
The most important sitting of the conference
was that Of April Sth, when Walewski and Ola
reRdon gave an exposition OF the views of the
maritime Powers on the general state of Eu-
rope, ard more especially on the foreign occu-
patton CT Greece, Rome and the Legations, on
the wretched condition Of the kingdom OF
Naples, and on the character of the Belgian
prees. That days work we published on Tues
day Cast We're it not for the great space oc-
worth while to republsh it again, if only to
place once more on record the striking una
n;mity of the French, Austrian and Prussian
governments with regard to the mischievous
ness Of free press, and the manly stand taken
singly by Lord Clarendon on it's behalf
The protocols we pu olish to day mainly refer
to the questions which have been discussed
over and over again in the newspapers We
learn from them, however, that the Russian
pleDipotentiaries came to the congress pre-
pared to make the concessions to which the
treaty bears witness. No doubt the exhaustion
of the empire lett them no choice. There was
asmall fight on the cession of the southern por-
tion Of Bessarabia but the naturalization Of
the Black Sea, the dismantling of the fortresses.
the abandonment Of the old claim of Russia to
make that sea Russian lake, the neutraliza-
ton OF the Aland Isles, were all concedei
cheerful,y, and at the first demand. We also
learn that though Nicolaieff is not included
among the forts which the Gear consents to
dismantle, as it lies far inland, Russia will
cease to build there, or elsewhere on the tribu-
taries Of the Black Sea, vessels of any larger
draught than those which by the convention
with Turkey she is allowed to keep for the
police OF her coast. Count Orloff demanded
permission from the Sultan for the two ship
of the line now lyi at Nicolaie to sail through
the Bosphorus on their way to the Baltic.
On the whole, the protocols are valuable,
and should be kept for reference. A careful
reader will not fail to discover what sources Of
trouble they disclose. Under the smooth sur
face of the treaty, what hollowness and rotten
places!
Count Walewski, opening the subject Of gen.
eral European politics on the part of his gov
eminent, avowed that no object was desrer to
France than the restoration of calm and order
in Greece and Rome, SO that the foreign troops
now garrisoning those countries could be with
drawn; and also the reform of the government
of Naples, with view to remove cause for
revolution. Lord Clarendon advanced the
anne views, and went further, both as regards
Naples and the Papal States The Austriaus
would not concede anything, however; and
Prussia rather sided with them. The infe-
renee from this debate, in Paris, is that the EN-
peror Napoleon designs to restore the empire
of his uncle, and to annex Italy and other
frontier countries to France. 1t is said that
for no other reason are the French troops re-
tanned at Rome. This idea seems to prevail in
Germany also; the Austrians regard Walew
skis invitation to them to vacate the Legations
a. mere ruse, designed to pave the way for
French movement on an extensive scale. On
another side, the natural influence from the
menacing language of Walewski towards Bel
GUM lie regarded as the precursor Of hostile
movement in that quarter. In Spain, too, the
Emperor's partisans have been unusually
active of late
What attitude Great Britain would hold in
the event of these ilibustering schemes of her
ally being realized, it is difficult to conjecture.
She could hardly interpose to save the Pope
or the King of Naples, after so loudly and un-
mistakably expressing her condemnation of
the policy of both. Nor could she at bottom
have any great objection to such change in
Spain as would hold out some prospect OF
regular payment of the interest on
the Spanish bonds. But no British Minis
try could we'll combine with foreign Power
to put down freedom Of speech in Belgium.
On that point the English press, and conse-
quently the English people, are certain to be
unanimous; and if Napoleon persists, it may
cost him the alliance.
But other causes are likely to break up the
programme laid down at the Conference, be-
fore then. The democrats of Europe are dis.
satisfied with the peace. They have made no
thing by the war. They see no sincerity in
the popular professions Of Walewski, while
they see an intensely earnest will to thwart
any concessions to the people on the part of
the German Powers They are organizing de-
mocratic clubs all over Europe, just in the old
style. Again the commercial fever is reach
ing its height. Europe has never known such
period Of frantic speculation as that which
is now eliminating. Every one knows where
this will lead A couple Of years may witness
crisis which may rain half Europe, and
bad harvest would precipitate the political re-
vulsion in prospect.