The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-02-02 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS

D'IRCHESTER, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2. 1864.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

The Germano-Danish question has mourned
• more warlike aspect. Denmark having made
all the 001112.111401111 asked of her—asking only
for six weeks that the necessary constitutional
steps might he taken for the repeal of the
Constitution of November—we could hardly
suppose that Austria and Prussia would so far
outrage all sense of moderation and justice, as
to persist in the avowed purpose of pushing their
forces towards the Eider, in order to carry out
their threat. We therefore looked, with hope,
to the maintenance of peace. Nor were we
singular in this respect. The nines of Monday,
and indeed several other papers, congratulated
the country on the really solid prospects of
peace which existed. Seemly, however, bad
the ink become dry on the broadsheets contain •
ing this assuring announcement, when a telegram
was received, stating that Austria and Prussia
would consent to no delay—the constitution
must beat once abrogated by King Christian, or
the order to march given to the flustro-Prussian
army. And the order was given to push forward
to the Eider canal ; and it is said they will
arrive there in sufficient force to attempt the
paasage of the river by Friday next. In the
meantime, the Danes are strongly fortifying the
Dannewerke, and are prepared to defend it to the
last extremity, in the event of the German
troops making any attempt to cross the frontier.
The chances for pacific arrangements, therefore,
at present appear but slight indeed.
la the event of hostilities actually commencing
between the Danish and Austro- Prussian troops,
what course will England pursue I The Morning
Port, which is well known to be peculiarly the
organ of the Premier, on Thursday morning last
mounded full and sonorous with naval and mili-
tary preparations. The Channel fleet, which has
arrived at Spithead, is to be increased several
ships, and sent to the Baltic, a large number of
our jolly tars having been drafted from the
guard-ships for the purpose of joining it. A
force of 30,000 is, we are told, being organised
for operations by land, if such • course should
be deemed necessary. The artillery are to be
strengthened, and a "Crimean officer of fair re-
putation" is indicated as the commanier of the
land force. The baily News approves of these
preparations, as "calculated to give weight to
the remaining efforts of England, which, having
tried fair words, is justified- in assuming a more
decided tone." The Star, the organ of the peace
party is, of course, opposed to armed interven-
tion; but says, "No one can fail to know that
the most various reports, derived many of them
from quarters variously opposed, concur in at-
tributing to Lord Palmerston a determination
to draw this country into a war with Denmark.
It is reported, indeed, that the Premier has on
this subject an understanding with certain in-
fluential members of the Tory party, and that
even if a little Ministerial or Parliamentary
coup &net became necessary to facilitate the
coup de lite, colleagues would be somewhere
found ready to devote themselves to the policy
of war." We ought not to go to war for an idea,
nor because we all love the Prince of Wales,
but as England and Russia have advised the
withdrawal of the unfortunate Sehkerwig Con-

stibution; they are unquestionably in honour
bound to see that a due interval is given for the
adoption of their counsel in a constitutional
Ullllllller.

The Morning Herald of Friday positively
asserted that Earl Russell had placed his re-
signation as Foreign Secretary in Her Majesty's
hands, and that he was now no longer a member
of Her Majesty's Government. On the follow-
ing morning the Morning Post referred to the
report as an idle rumour, having no foundation
in fact. It says "Strong gusts of rumours flew
about town yesterday. Lord Russell had re-
signed—the Ministry were out. Gossip-mongers
were ready with minute details. All this dis-
turbance of the political atmosphere seems to be
based on two simple facts—Lord Russell has re-
turned from Osborne ; Lord Derby has gone
thither on a visit to the Queen ; all the rest of
the story is pure nonsense. There is no crisis,
the Cabinet is acting in perfect harmony, and
the Ministry is as well as can be expected." The
referring to the Herald's report, in its
money article, says, "such statements, though
they may or may not prove correct, are believed
at this moment to have no definite foundation."
Where however there is • great deal of smoke,
we may expect the presence of fire somewhere;
and the Saturday Review is of opinion that there
will be a change of Ministry in the next session.
Another contemporary thinks that the present
veteran chief and a few of his present followers
may amalgamate with the Conservatives—who
have lately gained • good many seats, and that
such a Cabinet would be able to hold its own
against all comers. For our own part we do not
believe such a coalition probable.
One of the most terrible tales of horror
reaches us from Santiago, the Capital of Chili,
South America. On the Bth of December, the
Church of La Campania caught fire, during the
celebration of the Immaculate Conception-4
doctrine promulgated in Rome in 1857—resulting
in the sacrifice of 2,300 persons, chiefly ladies,
and who era said to be mostly the elite of the
beauty and fashion of the eapitaL As soon as
the flames were seen, a panic ensued, and owing
to the rush the doors got jammed, and the un-
fortunate creatures inside were unable to rescue
themselves; while those outside pulled out the
arms of many in their endeavours to get them
out. Some few children were saved by bein g
passed over the heads of others, and • " hum*"
on horseback saved several by means of his
lasso, which he threw inside the church, and
then put spurs to his horse, dragging out those
who were attached to it. However, the lasso
soon broke, and no other was produced before
the ro 'fell. In little more than half-an-hour
after