The Express.
London, England, 1852-09-28 00:00:00

THE ZOLLVLItEIN.

BERLIN, Seer. 23.
•
Theconfercnce of the coalesced governments at Mu-
nich terminated on the 20th inst. Deliberations were
held not only on the reply to Prussia's last declara-
tion, but also on the course to be pursued by the
coalition in case of a separation of North and South
Germany. The news of the separate conference held
by Prussia on the 17th inst. is reported to have pro-
moted unanimity among the members of the coalition.
The official Aualrinn Correspondence comments on
the event in very plain and angry terms, and asks
whether this step of Prussia's is to be the conclusion
of the old comedy or the commencement of a new
one? "If Prussia," it continues, "is so ill-advised
as to provoke a breach, we might at least have ex-
pected that it would have the courage to avow its
measures, and notify to the other states, in unequi-
vocal form, this breach, and the motives which have
led to it. The pretext, however, is not well selected.
Negotiations have been broken on account of the
disregarding of a term fixed arbitrarily by Prussia'
alone. In a question involving the welfare of
Prussia and all its relations to the other federal
states, one should think that a rupture would
ensue only on considerations founded in the nature
of the interests at stake as a consequence of the
irroconcileableness of conflicting interests. But to
break off on account of non-appearance at a pro-
scribed time is something new in diplomacy. Are
the monarchs and princes of Germany cited before a
tribunal at Berlin, that Prussia presumes thus to see-1
tence them in default ? This act, wherein the pas-,
sions of an impetuous party have overruled the dis-
cretion of the cabinet, clearly exposes the position
in which l'russia would fain henceforth
place the coalition governments, and betrays
the reason why it so strenuously resists
the admission of Austria. Prussia aims at enforcing
unconditional obedience." This concluding remark
is unfounded; but unquestionably Prussia will be
very hardly pushed in tho controversy which must
now commence, became it has really not expressed
its real motives. M. von Manteuffel pretended to be
anxious for the preservation of the Zollverein, while,
from the beginning, as I believe, he desired to split
it; ho raised difficulties chiefly on questions of form,
while directed by considerations of deep political
interest ; but he did all this not oat of any want of
courage in face of Austria and the coalition,
but because it was the only way of getting
the court and the Prussian people, who did
not appreciate the real merits of the case, at least to
back his policy. He has by degrees reconciled all
parties in Prussia to the idea of splitting the Zoll-
verein, from which at its commencement they would
have ooiled, as from an act of wanton destruction.
The article referred to further says:—" It must be
clear, too, to Hanover, that the September treaty
assumes a character which could not have been con-
templated by the Hanoverian statesmen who signed
it. Instead of a general German Zollverein, it leads
to a restricted North-German union under Prussia's
protectorate, which, with its unconditional tendency
to free trade, must entirely isolate Prussia and its
North-German dependencies from the rest of Ger-
many. Does Hanover desire to be numbered amongst
these Prussian dependencies severed from the body
of Germany? It has still the decision in its hand.
It need but raise its voice energetically in support of
tho compromise offered from Munich, and thereby
prevent the dismemberment of Germany, and save
its own independence." It is very true : Hanover
has a casting vote in the question, and we are very
anxious to learn how it will decide.

The Ilanoverian Gazette contradicts, "as obviously
incredible," the report " that M. von Schele, while
at Berlin, had promised to support Prussia's mea-
sures under all eventualities." lam informed that
the Prussian ministry does not entertain any appre-
hension of defection on the part of Hanover.
I am informed that the Prussian ministry does not
entertain any apprehension of defection on the part
of Hanover.

The concluding remarks of the Austrian Currc-
spondence would be highly consoling, if we could
only put full faith in them. "At all events," it says,
" these negotiations will preserve a peaceable cha-
racter ; they carry in their lap no chances of war.
Nothing is more ridiculous than jingling with the
sabre every minute at a conference oa custom-house
Weir& We can assure the public that all attempts
to ahem it by raising apprehensions of warfare are
adesrable party tricks. If the customs question be
left to be settled by passion and obstinacy, many
lams for German commerce and industry may ensue ;
and this is deplorable enough for everybody who
has a heart for Germany's welfare. But there will
Ibe no war. On this point people may be perfectly
easy." Wo will devoutly wish that the author of
these assurances is equally well-informed and sincere.
But still we must remark, that this is the language
which the Austrian official
,press would hold if Aus-
tria were on the very point of marching its army
towards the Prussian confines.

A letter from Frankfort of Sept. 23 eve :
Several arreme made this morning at Borheim have occa-
sioned a great sensation, because the individuals arrested
belonged to a politico-religious society which his assumed
the denomination of " The Children of God." The chief
of the society was only arrested after having made a passive
resistant*.