12 JANUARY 1856, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE- Council of War, which is now assembling in Paris, does not seem destined to have its labours interrupted by any pacific arrangement between Russia and Austria. The whole tendency of the reports respecting the diplomatic movements between St. Petersburg and Vienna is against peace. We now have the text of the propositions which Austria has been the means of offering to the Czar ; and they certainly deserve the description given of them as being much more resolute in their character than any propositions to which Austria had hitherto given her adhesion. They are still only propositions—only the bases for negotiation to settle the treaties arising from them with all the ramifica- tions of diplomatic- treaty-making; but the articles lay down certain fundamental conditions on which the Allies are prepared to insist at starting. The proposed arrangements for securing the complete neutralization of the Black Sea—for securing the in- dependence of -the Porte, coupled with the immunities promised to the Christian subjects of the Sultan—the freedom of the Danube, the release of the Danubian Principalities from Russisn Control, andthe change of the Russian frontier—are laid down with a distinctness that might seem to defy evasion on the part of Russia, and therefore to secure the objects for which the war has been carried on. The guarantees for these provisions certainly appear pus, on the first examination, to be superior to those of "the four _points.'" By the proposed plan, indeed, the complete neu- tralization of the Black Sea would be attained under a separate convention between Russia and Turkey ; but with the direct cog- nizance of the other signataries to the general treaty, and pre- cluded from alteration without the consent of all the signataries. It is intimated that the Porte is arranging securities for the poli- tical and religious rights of his Christian subjects, with Austria, France and Great Britain ; and it is proposed that Russia be invited to associate herself with these deliberations "when peace shall be made." Russia is invited to a " rectification " of her frontier with Turkey in Europe, in exchange for the strong places and territories that the Allies have already taken. These propositions, therefore, mark the position of the Western Powers, and still more distinctly mark the advance made by Austria in e,oneurrence with those Powers.

We need pay no great attention to the report that, should Russia refuse' Austria will not limit herself to the recall of her -Ambassador from St. Petersburg, and will cooperate in more efficacious means for carrying out the fifth article of the treaty of December 2(1; for the great fact is sufficient, that here the Western Powers take their stand.

Prussia, it is said with great probability, is exerting herself to keep bank Austria. The Prussian Government, no doubt, intends to hold out in so-called neutrality to the latest ; and it has re- ceived a new support in a fresh declaration from the Danish Go- vernment : but the course of events- seems likely to prove too hirsing for Prussia ; and her course will be dictated to her, if she eannot spontaneously adopt a policy suited to the movements which are taking place around her.

It is under these circumstances that the military representa- tives of France' England, and Sardinia, meet in Paris to review the resources which they can bring together, and to discuss the means of carrying out the plan of campaigning determined upon between the Emperor Napoleon and our own Ministers.