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Leader (1850-1860), 12th May 1855, Edition 1 of 2, Page unpag.

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      Untitled Article

      VOI ,. VI . No . 268 . ] SATURDAY , MAY 12 , 1855 . [ Price Sixpence .

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      rpHE proceedings of the Vienna Conference X down . to the 26 th of April are now before the world in the Protocols adopted by the Plenipotentiaries . The papers possess an interest far beyond that of ordinary diplomatic correspondence , partly from the character of the Assembly , from its being , properly speaking , a series of consultative interviews between the agents of contending policies , and partly from the remarkable ability of the Baron r > E Meysenberg , the

      Secretary , or his deputy , in drawing up the Protocols , which constitute a rcpovt of the proceedings almost as extensive as the reports of'the debates in the French ' Chambers during Louis Philippe ' s time in the Journal des Debats . The Conference met on the 15 th of March , though all its members were not then present . It was subsequently joined by M . Dbouyn dis Lhuys and Aaul Pacha . —both of them valuable accessions . In the meanwhile , indeed , the Bai-on db Bourqujeney had represented France , we presume ,

      with fidelity to his " instructions , and certainly with considerable spirit , although not always with the most exact discretion . Lord John Russell proved to be a steadier and keener representative of this country than we had expected . The arrival of M . Dbouyn » jc Lhuys , although his diplomatic abilities unquestionably surpass that of any man at the Conference , did not make so valuable an accession to the representation of the Western Powers as we had supposed . On the other hand , Aaiuf Effbndi , the resident

      representative of Turkey at Vienna , although a very intelligent and watchful man , with a full allowance of firmness , evidently wants that confidence in himself which was required to give Turkey her due weight in the Conference . This was supplied by Aali Pacha , who , although he lacked real " Plenipotentiary" authority , enabling him to decide and accept as wcll ' as to listen and represent , did take upon himself the initiative so far as to

      suggest forms and propositions . In the latlor part , therefore , the several Governments may bo said to have been fully represented , and it was not until the latter part that the tug of war enme . As we knew before , the contest began on the third point : it came under discussion towards the latter ond of March , when the Russian Plenipotentiaries , iavited to take the initiative in making propositions , professed that they woro obliged to refer

      home for instructions . This reference consumed eighteen days ; in the meantime , the new French and Turkish Plenipotentiaries had arrived . The contest really began on the 17 th of April , when Prince Gobtschakoff announced that he was not instructed to make anyproposition at all ; and in reply to M . Dbouyn d | Lhuys , he added that Russia would not submit tcrany restriction of the number of her ships in the Black Sea in any form whatever . Here the Conference might have ended for any good that was obtained from it in the subsequent stages . Nevertheless , the fight \ that was afterwards carried on ought to be made useful to the Western Powers , by disclosing the position of Russia and of Austria , not withou (^ prne . light as to the position of Prussia- In the earlier stages , when it was proposed to place the Principalities under the guarantee of the Five Powers collectively , Russia made this proposal a pretext for again requiring the presence of Prussia at the Conference . Prussia , therefore , is still recognised as the available ally of Russia . Russia , who virtually invited the Conference , and professed to accept the Four Points , turned the proceedings into a farce , by declining every proposal that could have given effect to the Third Point ; and by making counter-r > vopositions on that point of a character insulting for their absurdity . The last of these propositions , the one that is said to have reopened the chance of peace , made at the last reported Conference , after Lord John Russell came away , was to the effect that the principle of closing the 3 i >¦ ¦ - danelles under treaty July-13 , 1841 , should remi i in force , the Sultan rescuing to himself the p rev exceptionally to open ,- the Straits for the fl ts of foreign powers whom he might summon tc efend him ! It is evident that Russia entered ii o the Conference only for the purpose of gainin time . She did not conceal her arrogant cont-mpt for the Allied Powers inveigled into that solemn trifling ; and the vciy last remark of Prince Gortschakoff , that Rueuia had redeemed her pledges , an d' fulfilled the objects of the Conference by making propositions to carry out the four bases , was as grossly insulting as if the Russian Plenipotentiaries had made that gesture called " taking a sight , " which is popularly supposed to be derived from the sailor ' s use of the quadrant , but which is aa old as the ancient Egyptians . The publio of this ' country must , therefore , bo fully awaro that , under any form whatsoever , Russia did not moan to conclude a

      peace , unless the peace gave her all that she hac been seeking , — 'short of present occupation of thf Principalities . Her object was clearly confessed in the proposal that she should be left to dea ] alone and directly with Turkey , which would , in fact , have nullified all that has been done , by the Western Powers , as well as by Austria , since 1852 . The position of Austria is not less intelligible . Count Buol assured the Conference at the commencement that the Emperor Fbaxcis Joseph intended to abide by his engagements , whatever " serious consequences" might befal . Consider--ably later , when asked by Prince Gobtschakoff if Austria would approve of coercion to reduce the Russian fleet , the Count replied that Austria at present only pressed Russia to adopt the proposals made to her , but that the Emperor Francis Joseph would reserve his right to support the proposal in any way . The Count , however , did not conceal the earnest desire for peace ; from the first meeting to tlie lqst , he spoke in a very impressive manner , and , with an appearance of sincerity he invoked the Divine favour for the Conference . The territorial position of Austria was of course never once alluded to ; the difficulties that she might have in fulfilling the military responsibilities of the alliance never came in question . Baron Prokesch spoke with more spirit , and did not attempt to modify his own disapproval of the Russian tergiversation and trifling . The idea that Austria is playing a double game between the Allies and Russia is not confirmed by what passed in the Conference , but the Minister could not conceal that the difficulties of that empire arc greater than the Executive Government knows well how to meet ; and Count Buol clings to the hope of peace with all the desperation of a drowning man . M . Dbouyn » h Lhuys evidently assented to the opinion of Count Buol , and was willing to make rather important concessions ; and wo may infer , without much chance of being mistaken , that his disposition in tlwit eonae originated with his regard for the difficulties of Austria . Perhaps M . Drouyn dm Lhuys may have been impressed with the importance of sustaining the Austrian Empire , and therefore may have believed the Austrian Government to bo friendly to the Western Powers , and its occupation of so much European ground to bo an advantage . Ho returned to Paris to seek from the Emperor Napoi-mon a confirmation of verbal assurances which ho scoma to have given to the Cabinet

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      "The one Idea which History exhibits as evermore developing itself into greater distinctness i 3 the , Idea of Humanity—the noble . endeavour to throw down all the barriers erected between men -by prejudice and one-sided views ; and by setting aside the distinctions of Religion , Country , and Colour , to treat the whole Human rade as one brotherhood , having one great object—the free development of our spiritual nature . "—Humboldt's Cosmos . : <

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      NEWS OF THE WEEK— ^ o « Imperial Parliament 434 The Sebastopol Committee : 436 The War 437 War Miscellanea 438 The Vienna Conferences 438 Administrative Reform 489 Trial and Condemnation of Pianori 440 Earthquake at Broussa 441 Our Civilisation " . 441 Health of London during the Week 441

      Continental Notes 441 Naval and Military News 443 Miscellaneous 443 Postscript 443 prance wants Rest 444 PUBLIC AFFAIRSExpectant 445 The Morality of Missions 446 Educated Scarecrows 446 Intrigues 446 Agitation 447

      " The Stranger" in Parliament ... 447 OPEN COUNCILShot-proof Floating Batteries ... 448 LITERATURESummary 449 Congreve ' s Lectures on the Roman Empire of the West 449 Rhymes and Verses 450 Books on our Table 451

      THE ARTSThe Royal Academy Exhibition 452 Royal Italian Opera ... 452 Haymarket 453 Births , Marriages , and Deaths ... 453 COMMERCIAL AFFAIRSCity Intelligence , Markets , Advertisements , &c 453-456

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 12, 1855, page unpag., in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2090/page/1/