New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-18
INTERVENTION OF EUROPE IN TEE
POLISH QUESTION.

POLISH QUESTION.
The publication of the English, Austrian aud
French notes on the Polish question must dis
pei tho last doubt "a to the gravity of the
European complication. With rare unanimiiy
and with no reserve the European Govern
ments give an official indorsemeut to the pub
lie opinion of Europe, which regards a unlver-
sal war rs imminent, unless, as one Of the
notes expresses it, the "inyeterate evil" Of the
Polish discomfort DO removed BY a durable
peace"
IA was 10 be expected, none OF the notes
makes any suggestion IA to the best manner Of
conciliating the Poles and establishing peace.
Nor does any OF them touch the snbstance OF
the controversy by reference TO the great
crime committed in the destruction Of the Po-
lsh nationality, aud the imperious necessity Of
undoing this crime, o. much may still be
possible. Among the leading Powers Of Europe
there is not one that is not guilty Of tho same
national wrong that has brought on the Polish
revolution. England be-. yet 10 comply with
demand. made by Ireland, the lonian Isles
and Gibraltar, not unlike those made
~ tie Poles OF Russia; France, BY
Mexico aud Algeria; Austria and Prus-
Ma, By their Polish provinces. The present
territorial extent Of most of tie European em-
pires 10 such that they cannot proclaim broad
principles Of international justice withou, iu-
leriling, b. an impartial application Of these
principles, their own existence
The only ground, therefore on which France,
Au.ira and England b 80 their remOnsirances
with Russia Is the feGg OF the serious compli-
cation, that may arise for them rs well rs for
all the rcst Il Europe out of a longer con-
.inuance Of the Polish instruction. The En-
Ycror Of France, who, with natural pride,
is fond Of pointing 10 the result of the popular
note through Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, which,
m term. almost Threatening. refer, ~ tie ire
sistibc pressure Of public opinion, and to
rrgIctable complications" which may arise
unlrs. Russia hastens to conclude peace. Aus
,ria shows herself particularly anxious TO check
the extension OF the revolutionary agitation to
Gallicia, and therefore implores Russia 10
make peace. She appears very desirous 70
gam tie confidence OF the Poles ON the ground
OF being their coreIgionists, but is at the same
time evidently afraid Of directly offending her
powerful Eelghbor, who, in case OF Hun
gar,an instruction, might take terrible r..
yenge. England speak. as Power przIng
constitutional rule, and knows that Russia ID
her most dangerous opponent among the Eu-
ropean Powers. Her motto is more outspoken
and warliko than that Of either Austria or
France. She makes this appeal because, as a
"member of the community OF European
States, she has duties Of comfy toward other
nations to fulfill and she wars Russia that
by not heedlGg this appeal she nay produce
complications of the most serious kind" This
language considered by itself. is much more
decided than tho tone usually prevailing IA the
diplomatic papers of the European Governments,
but il becomes still more significant, II We
compare il with the remarkable declaration Of
Earl Russell at a conversation with the Rus
slan Emba,sador in London. To tho question
of tho EmbassadOr, whether the note Of the
English Court was of pacific nature, Earl
Russell replied, that her Majesty's Government
bad no intentions that were otherwise than pa
cfc, still Jess any concert with other Powers
for any but pacific purposes. Bat "the state
of things might change. The present overture
Of her Maje,ty's Government might be rejected.
The insurrection in Poland might continue and
assume larger proportions; tho atrocities on
both sides might bo aggravated aud extended
to a wider range Of country. If, in such n
state Of affairs, the Emperor Of Russia were
to take no steps OF conciliatory nature, dan
gers and complications might arise not at pres
emit in contemplation"
In the negotiations which have preceded
great European wars, tho use of such language
has generally been followed by stronger and
more decided steps. We uro not yet officially
iniori I'd Of what course tho Imperial Govern
ment Of st. Petersburg intends to pursue in
view If 80 grave an emergency. A Paris
paper maintains that Russia regards the steps
of the three Western Powers us an encourage
nent I, the insurrection, and refuses to pay
any difference to tho strong recommendation Of
tho diplomatic notes. Certain it is that al
lOag G, tue Poles maintain themselves in the