The Press.
London, England, 1856-01-26 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

The participation of Prussia in the approaching
peace conferences is one principal subject discussed
just now at Berlin. Russia, it is loudly stated, only
acceded to the Austrian proposals in consequence of
the earnest representation of Prussia, who at length
determined to declare her sentiments and support
the Austrian ultimatum. Such co-operation at so
decisive a moment is held to ba of sufficient im
portance to entitle Prussia to a place at the approach.
ing conferences. Austria is said to support Prussia
in these pretensions.
An article upon the recent policy of Prussia, by
M. de Sacy, in the Mats, contains some features of
interest. The mission of Colonel Manteuffel to
Vienna, where be is still remaining, is here fully
explained:—

Whilst M. de Seebach laboured at St. Petersburg to re-
establish peace, the King of Prussia despatched to Vienna
Colonel Manteuffel, who, according to our correspondents,
was charged with the mission of assuring himself if
Austria would fulfil the engagements she had taken in
the first article of the treaty of alliance, offensive and
defensive, signed with Prussia at Berlin on the 30th of
April, 11.54, by which Austria was to consider every attack
directed against the German or non German territories of
Prussia as an hostile enterprise directed against her own
territory ; if, consequently, Prussia could count on the
action of Austria to protect her rights and interest, already
touched by the menace of a blockade of her ports. He
was also to demand explanations on the subject of the
memorandum agreed to on the 38th December between the
Cabinets of Paris, London, and Vienna, which had excited
just alarm at Berlin, because one of the clauses excluded
Prussia from future negotiations if she hesitated longer in
conforming to the policy of Austria, and supporting formally
the last propositions made at St. Petersburg. This mission
of Colonel Manteuffel excited numerous and difficult ques-
tions, and was calculated to cause much embarrassment to
the Cabinet of Vienna. The colonel demanded categorical
replies, which Count Buol did not hasten to afford him.
At last, after reiterated demands, the Prussian Envoy ob-
tained satisfactory explanations. Austria was far more
engaged with the Western powers than was supposed by
the King Frederick William. Not only had she promised
to recal her Minister on the 18th of January if the Cabinet
of St. Petersburg had not accepted purely and simply the
propositions she advanced, but was ready to conclude with
France and England a military convention which would
have received its execution in April. Thus, in the spring,
Austria would have given to the allies the assistance of her
armies, which would have made r useful diversion by
operating on the Gallician frontier. As soon as the King
of Prussia became acquainted with these views he per-

SATURDAY,

ceived that no ground for hesitation existed either for him.
self or for Russia. It is said that the King hastened to
acquaint the Czar with the information received at Vienne,
which confirmed accounts received from elsewhere, and
counselled him with firmness to accept, without restric•
lion, the proposals of Austria, declaring for his part that
he could not permit Prussia to run such terrible chances,
and should be obliged to modify his policy in approaching
towards that of the Western powers. Two pressing letters
written in this sense to the Czar and to the Grand Duke
Constantine are spoken of. The letters of the King a
Prussia explained the motives, hitherto obscure, which hsd
animated the conduct of Austria ; and the advice of M. do
S,ebach was remembered by M de Nesseliode and the
Emperor Alexander. All these circumstances, skilfully
presented by M. de Nesselrode, struck the most decided
partisans of war, and the most declared enemies of peace;
and the Emperor, supported by the Council of State, ac.
cepted those very conditions which had been declined a
few days before not admissible. It is believed that the
preliminaries of peace will be signed shortly at Vienna.