The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-28 00:00:00

OFIABESPONDF-NTL

&,-errtfeereente tutended fur The Expreet" London treeing
Pam mart be at the ofilea, Louverte4treet, by Tyra
e* es the day of pttilatlua

COVENT-GARDEN.

Tani gram& THI-iii..4IRFTI-Aiii;Eß. Mears. W. H.
Wan, H. Cowl., A. tbok, sad W. Harrison : Mums LOWAS and
Susan Pius. • Conductor, Mr. A. Mallon. -Canna/mos K &

IIAYVAIIKET.

Sell Stream OUR IrAlyiii7ECOOL AS A CUCUMBER.
—Mr. Charles Methews. Mies F. Wr she and Mrs. L Fitz.
William.-1 HE tioLDUN VLBSCS. tr. awl Mrs. Chutes
Mathews.—And MY HUSBAND% OHOSI. Mr. Clark.

LyLEu*..

O RATLIIDAT 7111 T, BiL UYUOMO, a Love Story.
Mews. Feebler. Brougbarm, Einem hark., Jordan ;
Mama Testy, Lupus, sod Ewa thy, sioq Mrs. Lee.

BRITANNIA.

TO trauma, THE DAYS OY LOUIS XV. Mrs. S. Lane.
—TEE GREAT GHOST EFFECT. Messrs. "Reynolds and soon. :
Mains. Punned and Yaroidd. —Shag*/ by &no Collins. Mr. NAB-
&A and Erne. l'kva.—And TiLE /101i0U11 07 THE MUNI.

KWH WM= AT LONDOS MOOD.
TIM DAT -.ltandus, fess..... Afinems. Ds. Em
sarcsacor soistag, es Ism... ..Allaioom. 2l Sm.

LONDON, IVEDIVESDAY, OCTOBER 28.

We have reason to believe that an unexpected
difficulty has obstructed the settlement of the in-
tended Greek and lonian states. This diffi-
culty appears to have sprung almost simulta-
neously from two distinct sources. After the sur-
render which this country had been willing to
make of its authority over the lonian Islands,
with a magnanimity of which there are but few
examples on the part of other Governments, it
was hardly to have been anticipated, either that
the lonians would have demurred to the reason-
able conditions which we had imposed upon their
annexation to Greece ; or that the great Powers
with whom the British protectorate was con-
tracted, would have interposed stipulations repug-
nant to the views of this country and of the
lonians themselves. Indeed, from the moment at
which the formal acceptance of Prince WILLIAM of
Demises had been given, it was not unnaturally
presumed that what remained to be done were but
so many formalities. A shade of doubt, perhaps,
pared over the question of the vote which the
lonian Parliament would give ; but this was soon
dispelled, for the lonians at the first opportunity
unanimously declared themselves in favour of
annexation. Where, however, the difficulty had
seemed to end, was precisely the point at which it
in reality began.

- - The course which was prescribed to be taken on
the meeting of the lonian Parliament was as fol-
lows :—The Parliament had first to resolve whether
it wu in favour of annexation at all. If its answer
were in the affirmative, then it was its duty to con-
sider the conditions of annexation propounded by
the LORD HIGH Cosimissiortrat. Supposing these
conditions to be adopted by the Parliament, the
next step was for Great Britain to apply to the
seven Powers who joined with her in the Treaty of
November, 1815, for their concurrence in the ex-
tinction of her Protectorate. The new lonian
Parliament met at Corfu on the let of October.
On the sth they passed a vote in favour of annex-
ation with Greece. Next followed the considera-
tion of the British conditions. These conditions
were five in number. "In case," says the LORD
Brun COMMISSIONER, "your answer should be in
" favour of annexation to Greece, it will be my
" duty to lay before you certain detailed arrange-
" meats which are necessary for the completion of
" the measure." So distinctly are these five
points specified ss conditions of the assent of this
country, that the LORD HIGH COMXIBRIONRIL pre-
face& them in the terms, "It will be necessary
" that," dm. These conditions were but fair on
our pert ; but they appear to be too onerous for
the lonians, who are resolved to receive every-
thing and give nothing in turn. For instance, the
second point provided that 10,0001. a year should
be first charged on the lonian revenue in augmen-
tation of the litso's Civil List; and the fifth, that
90,0001. duo to Great Britain for arrears of mili-
tary contributions should be paid to her by the
lonians.

It will seem hardly credible that the lonian Par-
liament has resolved to pay no attention to these
conditions, and, as it were, to " move the previous
" question "in their place. Accordingly, to the
astonishment of the Lovett HIGH COMMISSIONNE, the
Parliament have since voted, by a majority of
eleven•tselfths, that the Protectorate of England
cease immediately, that the Parliament he itself
dissolved, and the lonian Islands be forthwith an-
nexed to Greece. Here is a grand dissolving view
of British conditions and lonian obligations ! The
Parliament refuse to entertain our claims, and to
stop any further dispute they vote their own dis-
solution. Of course it is obvious that, at thy
rate, their vote of annexation goes literally for
nothing. We have offered them union with Greece
on certain conditions only. They ignore those
conditions, and thus oar offer of union
is liable to fall through altogether. The
lonians, however, have not passed this ad-
dress a ithout one highly characteristic comment.
They declare that " the fortifications of Corfu
" shall be handed over to Greece in their present
" condition." The British Government are
not at present more prepared to agree to this
demand, than to waive their own conditions. In
these circumstances, the Lose Hum Commtsalosze
has taken the decided, though probably justifiable,
course of proroguing the Parliament for six months,
and thus of adjourning the question of annexation
to Greece until the end of April, 1864.
Meanwhile, there is reason tolear that some of
the Great Powers have interposed &dimities to
the abandonment of our Protectorate, not very easy
to be dealt with. We believe the Austrian Govern-
ment, for one, has firmly declared to this country
that it will not consent to an annexation, except
on the express understanding that the fortifications
be demolished. On the other hand, we have seen
that the lonians make their maintenance a One
qua nou of their own consent to be annexed. And,
indeed, if they are to be treated as the " indepen-
" dent republic " which treaty-law declares them
to be, it is not easy to see what right we
have to demolish their fortifications against their
wilL Turkey, again, makes demands not leas
difficult to meet ; and as that Power became by the
treaty of 1817 a party to the Protectorate of
Great Britain as established by the treaty of 1815,
it now appears that she also is entitled to a voice
in the question. Other Powers are understood