The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-20 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

Ni 1011131.11 nxiosam.,
OPENING OF THE PRUSSIAN DIST.
BERLIN, Mu 19.
The Minister President opened the Chamber to-
day with a speech. He earl :—" His Majesty the
King has ordered me to open the Diet of the
111011MCIV in his name. The government considers
it its ditty to engage your activity this session no
longer than will be necessary for the settlement of
the most urgent affairs. The finances of the country
continue to assume a more favourable aspect. It
has not been found necessary at the close of the
financial year to make use of the extraordinary cre-
dit for defraying the expense of the organisation of
the army which had been granted in the budget
of 1.86 from the public funds. The surplus in the
revenue of this year has even exceeded the require-
ments of the public service. His Majesty the
King has determined, for the relief of the country,
that the additional taxation should not be levied
on and after the Ist of July next. From the
budget fur 1862 and 1863, which is to be
submitted to you without delay, you will
perceive that the decrease of income arising
thereinto will be fiddly °"" by provi-
sional reductions in military administrations,
by savings in the cost of the administration of
the public debt, and by increased revenue - and
that means for useful application to all departments
of the public service are still available. The more
detailed specification of the income and expenditure
in the budget, and the early presentation of the budget
for 1864 will afford testimony that the government
is ready to meet with willingness any practicable
proposition of the representatives of the country.
The necessary operations for a further regulation of
the land tax have reached the first important stage
towards completion by a central committee--that,
namely, of a temporary establishment of the classi-
fication , tariff. Repeated examinations have ma-
nifested the possibility of further savings, of a
temporary character, being effected in the military
expenditure. These reductions, however, in order
not to injure the vital condition of the organisation
of the army, can only be continued until a new
source of revenue is opened by the land tax.
By this means the 'government shows that it was
ready and desirous to meet the objections raised in
former sessions, and is therefore justified in expect-
ing that in considering the arrangements and re-
quirements of our military force, due provision may
be made for the independence and security of the
country, which depend upon the undiminished
excellence of the army. A plan for the
extension of the railway system of the
country will be laid before the Chambers.
The negotiations respecting • regulation of the
conditions of trade, in accordance with treaties
between the Zollverein and France, have led to an
utaading. The government is herein guided,
inureson with its allies of the Zollverein' by the
conviction that it is not of so much importance to
the ZoLlvereia to secure for its products, its trade,
and its navigation in France the rights of
the most favoured nation, as that the progress
of national economy and science required
that the tariff of the Zollverein should
be modified in the full sense of free trade. It was
to be expected that the prospect of such a modifica-
tion should arouse many apprehensions, but it is
on the other hand pleasing that these apprehen-
sions are already beginning to yield to a more cor-
rect appreciation of the advantages offered by a
more extended market. Several of the governments
of the Zollverein have already given in their ad-
hesion to this view, and among them the govern-
ment of Saxony, which country, from the manifold
extent etas owe industry, is expecially compelled
to consider industrial interests. We reckon that
the remaining governments of the Zollverein, while
faithfully keeping in view the adeancement of the
material interests of the customs union, will give
their consent to a work which promises to become
the starting point of a new increase of commercial
development of the Zollverein. Negotiations with
the Danish government have not yet led to any
result. Their success will depend upon
whether or not Denmark will determine
to fulfil the obligations towards Germany
undertaken by the convention of 1852.
As regards the question of German Federal Reform,
the government of the King adheres firmly to the
point of view which it has assumed. In the ques-
tion of the constitution of Electoral Hesse the
• urns-
-31
mit endeavours of the government have sue-
teed • causing almost all German governmental
to to the conclusion that the constitution of
1831, excepting those stipulations which are con-
trary to the Federal constitution, must
be re-established • and Austria has joined
Prussia in making a common proposal to
the Federal Diet, the immediate acceptance
of which may now be expected. The new ordinance
respecting the elections, which is in direct opposition
to this proposal, and which deeply offends the
country's sense of right, will not come into opera-
tion, in accordance with the express demand of
Prussia, and with the request of the Federal As-
sembly, addressed to the government of Electoral
Hesse. The government of the King will take
care that a final solution shall be arrived at
without further hesitation in favour of the
constitution of 183 L As regards an incident
which occurred in reference to this question,
the government still awaits definite explanations
from the government of Electoral Hesse, and will
in any case understand how to protect the dignity
of Prussia. For the development of arts and
science increased means are required, which you
will readily grant. The organic laws, bills for which
were submitted to the late Diet, cannot be defini-
tively adopted until the next winter session of the
Diet. The government of the King adheres to the
principles upon which these bills are based, and
will endeavour to carry them out in that sense.
The bills respecting ministerial responsibility and
district regulation. will not be withdrawn from the
present discussions. The government of the King,
not led astray by the pressure exercised by change
of parties, will earnestly and zealously endeavour
to carry out, in the manner hitherto pursued, the
well-known principles which the King, upon as-
suming the regency and upon several subse-
quent occasions, has pointed out to the
councillors of the crown as the line of
policy ip the administration of the country.
In accordance with these principles the government
will conscientiously maintain the rights of the
crown as well as the constitutional righth of the
representatives of the country ; but it also enter-
tains the hope that you, gentlemen, will not refuse
the government your patriotic support in adopting
the measures necessary for the honour and dignity
of Prussia, as well as for the furtherance of all
branches of peaceful pursuits."
ITALY.

TURIN, NAY 19, EnKm.
The official Gazette of this evening denies the
rumour published by some journals that dissensions
exist in the ministry, and that several members of
the cabinet have resigned.
POLAND.

THORN, MAY 19.
The Archbishop of Warsaw has intimated his in-
tention of closing the churches should the perse
cution of the people therein continue.
THORN, MAT 19, Immo.
In consequence of the representation made by the
Archbishop of Warsaw, General Luders has issued
a proclamation announcing that the police will re-
main away from the churches for two days. If,
however prohibited songs should be sung notwith-
standing this measure, arrests would again be made.

TURKEY AND MONTENEGRO.
CONnAITTLYOIfLZ, NAT 19, You °.
Yesterday the Montenegrins took Nicksioh, with
800 men, 7/ officers, end 20 run,