The Express.
London, England, 1851-04-08 00:00:00

GERMANY.

Our correspondent, making reference to facts
already gated, writes ea follows :
BERLIN, APRIL 4.

The Dresden conferences are to all intent+ and purposes
over. The old Diet in to he restored, with the same powers
which it possessed previous to 1848. Simultaneously with
the last despatch to Vienna, the foreign minister of Prussia
forwarded a copy of a circular note which he bad addressed
to the governments of the smaller states, and which most pro-
bably procured for that despatch the character of an ultima-
tum. In the circular note Baron Manteuffel, fur the hundreth
time, pointed out the necessity of a central organ of govern-
ment being established in Germany, and as the Dresden
conferences were not likely to bring their labours to a close
within a reasonable period, the goverments of Prussia's an-
cient allies are entreated to instruct their representatives
in Dresden to declare in favour of the immediate re-institu-
tion of the old Diet. Baron Manteuffel added that the
resumption of the old Diet by no means precluded the con-
tinuance of the Dresden conferences, but that, on the con-
trary, Austria and Prussia would then be better able to
prosecute in union the negotiations for the important re-
forms in the confederation which were held by all to be In-
dispensable. The small states have replied to the circular,
with the exception of Mecklenburg. AU agree with Prus-
aiai that the establishment of a central organ is necessary,
and all agree to dispatch a plenipotentiary to Frankfort,
Anhalt-Dessau. the minister of which state is a Prussian,
making some slight difficulties, hut they refer merely to
the past, and will easily be set aside.
Prussia having sent out its scouts, advances under cover
of the light infantry of the smallstafes, and pronounces mo •
boldly than ever that the Diet must be restored in its old
firm and with its old powers. It is characteristic of the
principles which govern the conduct of Prussia's present
rulers, that even in this simple move they dare not act
openly and boldly, but must first put forward others to clear
the way. The 15th of the month is the day named on which
the deputies or plenipotentiaries of the states at present
unrepresented are to arrive in Frankfort. That city has
'ln ady proceeded to the election of a plenipotentiary, and
the choice has fallen upon Dr. Harmer. There is no doubt
whatever of the resumption of the Diet within a few
days of the time mentioned, but there is very consider-
able reason for believing that the Dresden conferences
will expire on the same instant, or very soon affix. Two
assemblies consulting on Germany's welfare, one in Dresden
and the other in Frankfort—the first with every, and
the latter without any, power—arc an absurdity, and
Manteuffel's plea that the conferences in Dresden may
continue is a sham.
APRIL 6.
The situation is yet undecided. The lire= Zcitung of this
evening says that if Prince Schwarzenhurg accepts the last
Prussian proposals, the Dresden conferences will continue,
and no plenipotentiaries will go to the Diet at Frankfort; but
the reactionary organ adds that it does not expect the
acceptation of Prussian proposals by the Vienna cabinet.
It is, indeed, generally understood that the apparent inde-
cision of the government arises solely from the impossibility
of any single straightforward measure being decided on; but
no one believes that the Dre ;den conferences will produce any-
thing but long protocols and tine plans for an organisation
of Germany which will be laid, ad arta, as the deposi-
tion of papers in the official archives is termed. Counts
Alvensleben and Bernstorff are placed among the candi-
dates for the office of Prussian plenipotentiary in Frank-
fort. The appointment of the former would be of infinite
advantage: the latter belongs to the Austrian party in
Prussia. _

Herr llansemann, the chief of the Prussian bank, has
becn dismissed ham his post.
The Dresden and Prague Railway is to be opened with
great ceremony to-morrow. A number of Austrian princes
and the King of S.ts •ny arc expected at Prague fur the
Ottaal