EUROPEAN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 347, 27 February 1856, Page 7

EUROPEAN NEWS.

Skcretauyshu» of the Colonies.—Lord Stanley has declined accepting the office of Secretary of the Colonies, offered to him by Lurd Palmeistott.

THE PEACE QUESTION

Rejoicings throughout Europe, on the arrival of the news of the Fall of Sebastopol, appear (<• have been almost universal. The prospects that Russia will now seek peace as a protection against further defeats and a partial dismemberment <>f her huge empire, are vaiiously stilted. 1 lie peace movement appears to take its rise in Prussia. The correspondent of the Times, writing from the Prussian capital, states that the allies are still disposed to treat with Russia on the principle of the Four Guarantees; tints "aflordiug to Russia, an opportunity of concluding an honourable pence." A statement in the New Prussian Gazelle of the 30lh Uctoher iu-cords with this; it slates positively that "at this very moment the French Government intimates its readiness to negotiate on the basis of the Four Points." Olher writers affirm that the Emperor of Russia has intimated to the Allied Powers, t!irough the Prussian monarch, that he is prepared to make large sacrifices to obtain peace. This, however, has been peremptorily contradicted by the Prussian oilicial Gazette. I lie Prussian Government, indeed, takes every public opportunity of contradicting the rumours that represent the Emperor of Russia desirous of concluding tI K . W ar. The King of Prussia is leporicd to liava said, in a conversation alluding to the position of the Emperor of Russia.'lle might as well sign his abdication as to talk of peace. The Knglish papers condemn any attempts to negotiate a peace that would prevent humiliation to Russia. The Morning Post says:—

'* We do not believe in the coming' peace which is promised (o us. We do not trust that Russia has yet come to her senses ; and we are quite sure that neither England nor France, who have hut a single council, mind, and voice heiwcen them, will yield » jot of the principles to which they have pledged their whole strength or will concede an inch of the objects which they have proposed. Uussia is already brought m-nrer to her true position. The mu*k*is dashed oft" from the pretence of might and strength W ich she had assumed. Her power with the tl atii>ns of Central Europe is terribly shaken, jsjniie dare to join her. She stands alone iv the

midst of disasters, threatened with worse calamities in the next campaign—afraid or ushained to yield, and unable to resist. But we shall not yet have peace."'

The P.tris correspondent of the Times, after :i positive declaration that the rumours of propositions for peace from Russia, Prussia, or Austria, have no foundation in fact, says—

"There is very probably a considerable paitv in Russia desirous of peace, but it is certain that tbe intelligence on that point is contradictory. One day letters are received from persons in a position to be well informed stating that the Russian people are most anxious for peace, n.ud would make no small sacrifice to obtain it ; in a day or two after other letters are received from persons -if equally good authority, declaring that even it the Emperor desired peace it would he impossible for him to accept it, at all events before another campaign, in which, as the writers affect to believe, the disasters of the Russian army will be surely and amply revenged. With such conflicting evidence what are we to think."

The Times repudiates the rumoured mediation of Austria and Prussia. It says:—'• It would indeed be a cruel termination of the war that Prussia and Austria should be able to dictate the peace, and, as we are certain, rob us of all that we have won by our arms. Then why are we to go on for ever catching at this or that flying rumour of mediation? It is Russia we are at war with ; it is with Russia, if with any, thai we are to make peace; it is llu?sia and ourselves that we have to consult on the terms of that peace; and none but Russia and ourselves can make a peace that is at all likely to endure."

The allies are extending their bases of operations. Genera! Canrnherl has been despatched on a mission to the uorih, with a view of forming an alliance with Scandinavia. His reception in the Swedish capital, where he was looked upon as the harbinger of war, was most enthusiastic.

The negociations between Austria and France now actively proceeding, are said to relate principally to the affairs of the Dauubiau Principalities, which the Emperor Napoleon 111. desiies to have immediately arranged.