12 JANUARY 1856, Page 1

We now have, under the official hand of Baron Stierneld,

a declaration of the position that Sweden has taken in concluding an alliance with the Western Powers. In announeing that alliance to the Foreign Courts, the Government of Sweden con- fesses that it stands alarmed by the obstinacy of Russia in the East. "Apprehensions for the future have been excited by familiar recollection, and fomented by the difficulties which Russia has imported into a satisfactory regulation of the frontier relations in the Northern provinces." In non-diplomatic lan- guage, Sweden sees in the intrusion of Russians across the Nor- wegian frontier, the forerunner of encroachments simi sr to those which Russia has attempted in the East. Under these circum- stances, says the Swedish Government, when Great Britain and France proposed a defensive alliance to insure the integrity of Sweden and Norway, the King thought it his duty to accept " avec empressement." But the treaty is only defensive ; and Russia may obviate its application by refraining from aggression. For Sweden adheres to the neutrality she has hitherto observed. The Swedish Government has not intended to assist the West- ern Powers in the campaign of the ensuing season, but she has placed herself in such a position that they must be perfectly certain of her offering no impediment to their proceedings ; and the first attempt on the part of Russia to chastise her neighbour for that audacious strictness of neutrality, would constitute the warrant for the Western Powers to occupy the territory of Swe- den with their military forces. The Western Powers, therefore, have secured provisionally the right of operating on their left flank, and of extending it to secure their position from being turned by Russia.