The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-13 00:00:00

GERMANY.

BERLIN, JAN. 8.
By the Vienna papers, received to-day, we have
news of the customs congress assembled in that city.
The protocol of the first sitting is given in the
Gazette, while Lloyd contains a copy of the draft of
the treaty proposed to be concluded between the
Zollvercin and the Austrian customs union.

The proceedings were commenced with a speech
from Prince Schwarzenberg, in which ho was at con-
siderable pains to obviate the impression likely to be
produced by recent articles in tho Prussian Ga:ette :
At this moment (he raid) certain minds aro occupied with
the idea that besides the intention expressed, there exists
another which is enameled, or at least that the realisation
of our views would put in hazard the existing commercial
and customs union. While I declare that this inquietude
is unfounded, I regret much that all the members of
the confederation are not represented here, for I could
convince them of the nature of the negotiations, their
common utility, and the possibility of agreeing to them.
Austria, ho repeated, did not wish to break up the Zoll-
verein ; but the difficulties originally in the way of the for-
maim of that organisation, as well as the difficulties of car- ,
rying out the treaty of September, were as great as those
which now opposed the formation of an Austro-Oerman
customs union. The difference which exists between the
position of Austria and the other German states, which, un
til now, have formed part of the Y.ollverein, is less marked,
and offers fewer difficulties to the realisation of a customs
and commercial union than the contrasts which have ex-
isted, and now exist, between the respective members of
the Zollverein. Nevertheless, a determined will awl a loyal
and firm spirit have established this community, and serve
to maintain it by perseverance and mutual concessions.
Thus, a commercial and customs union more extended be-
tween tiermany and Austria could not only he established
in the same manner, but even more easily, seeing that the
whole extent of the territory favours the conclusion of this
union, elevating its utility, and limiting as much as possible
the obstacles incident to it, and which present themselves
even in the best systems of customs.
- - -

The speaker then appealed to the fears of well-
wishers to the Zollverem :

In fine, the approaching expiry of the treaty of the %oil-
ver,in inspires well-founded fear., for its continuance, con-
sidering the known sentiments of its members ; and this
offers a favourable opportunity to introduce modifications
by which an advantageous and permanent ettension of the
territory of the union may ho realised. If we profit by
these favourable circumstances—if the difficulties, arising
lets from facts and from real wants than from theoretical
views, arc examined with calmness and impartiality by
chosen men—and it they commence by regarding as a
guiding principle that all sudden and violent transitions
and all precipitation ought to be avoided—and if, in despite
of the union, they admit certain special conditions depend-
ing on local eircuinstances, smoothing insensibly away cer-
tain inequalities in periods to be fixed beforehand, and
taking care of all interests, this union may be safely effected.
In tine, every member, by practising self-denial, and look-
ing only to the grand and common object in view, and con-
trasting it with the trifling sacrifices it will be required to
make, will feel without doubt that our efforts will produce
abundant fruit, to which your counsels, gentlemen, will
powerfully contribute.

Ho concluded by observing that he did not
expect that any definitive measures could be taken at
that congress, but he hoped that the interchange of
ideas might prepare the w•ay for a treaty which
should be acceptable to all the German govern-
ments.

The Bavarian deputy, Count do Lerschenfeldt,
briefly replied, expressing confidence in the good in-
tentions of Austria in calling the congress.
There were two projects of treaties distributed to
delegates at the sitting of the 3th. • The first pro-
poses a treaty between the Zollverein and the Aus-
trian customs union. It contains 54 articles, and
is to come into operation Jan.,1854. According to this
treaty uniform administrative processes and measures
are to be established throughout the two unions;
transit dues to be abolished, and articles of con-
sumption, cx gr., cereals, timber, fuel, &c., be per-
mitted to circulate free; a reduction of duties to the
extent of from 10 to 25 pet cent. is to take place on
the products of each union imported into the other ;
the regio of the state be maintained only for
salt, tobacco, gunpowder, and playing cards ; no new
impost is to be laid upon consumption, and no exist-
ing tax to be augmented; facilities aro to be given
for the most intimate relations between the two
unions; the consuls of both shall be bound to render
aid and protection to every German; a permanent
commission shall sit at Frankfort to preside over the
distribution of the common receipts, and all new
modifications of tariffs and customs regulations shall
be made with the common consent. To this first
project the government joins another, fixing the
bases of a union to enter into vigour on the Ist of
January, 1859, and which is to unite the two unions
above-mentioned. According to this, each state is to
receive the paper money of the other in payment of
duties, being held bouni at the same time to make
good any depreciation of the same exceeding 3 per
cent. of the amount receivable. The division of re-
ceipts to take place on the base of the average of
four years prior to 1856. The duration of the union
to be for ten years certain, its administration to be
conducted by a commission at Frankfort, and a con-
gress of delegates to meet each year for the adjust-
ment of general questions.
The Berlin second chamber adopted to-day the
three ordinances concerning the modification of the
Zollverein treaty, of which I have before spoken.
The debate in both houses was uninteresting.
The Cunatitutiwowlie tates that in consequence of
the accession of Lord Granville to the Foreign•office,
and in the hope that the refugee question will be
treated by him with other views than those expressed
by his predecessor, the Chevalier Bunsen has been
desired to withhold the note drawn up for presenta-
tion on that subject, and which was identical in
sense with those of Austria and Russia.
The last of the popular ministers called into exist-
ence by the crisis of 1848 has fallen iu the person of
the Councillor Chop, at Sonderhausen.
The committee of the second Prussian chamber,
appointed to consider M.Claussen's motion condemn-
ing the government for its arbitrary treatment of
the press, has mado a report unfavourable to
ministers.
The New Prussian Oa:ette states that the Hano-
verian ministry has intimated to the Austrian cabi-
net that, while desirous of seeing an arrangement
effected between Austria and the rest of Germany in
what concerns the material interests, it will con-
sider itself strictly bound by the engagements of its
prede•essor.