29 AUGUST 1874, Page 1

The Brussels Conference has broken up, having accomplished none of

its great ends. A few Rules have been drawn up, which will probably be the subject of negotiations, but the main objects of the assemblage—the destruction of maritime power in war, and the denial of the right of insurrection against an invader— have been foiled. To show how far the Russians were prepared to go, we have only to state that they proposed that any native of an occupied district who gave information to his own side should be shot as a spy. The atrocious proposal was unanimously rejected, but it shows the value of Russian love for humanity. It is rumoured that the Russian Government is extremely annoyed by its failure, and has refused to recognise the Spanish Government, as a sokitium to its wounded dignity. It seems certain that the Czar wearies of being led by Bis- marck, and that he has seized an opportunity of announcing to the world that Russia has, on some points at least, a right of independent action. The Spanish incident is of small importance, except so far as it shows the imperfection of the new Holy Alli- ance, which, as long as it exists, must threaten more or less the independence of the West ; but the virtual defeat of the Brussels plan has rescued Great Britain, and all the minor States, from very serious danger. Spain in particular would; under the pro.- posed rules of way, base beempowerless to resist invasion eithat from Germany or France.