The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-17 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, SErr.
An article in the Honorer Zeitunu, which beats all
the appearance of basing been officially inspired, anxiously
endeavours to 'impress" upon the public mind of Ger-
many, that the commercial treaty just ratified between
Prussia and Hanover has no tendency whatever to inter-
fere with the Austrian project of a " Zoll Union" of all
the states of Germany. Indeed (says the writer) this pro-
jected union is alluded to in the 14th separate article; and,
so far from the admission of Hanover into the Verein being
at all adverse to it, it is rather likely to prepare the way
for the accomplishment of that design on right principles.
It is further remarked that the Austrian plan, as presented
to the Dresden conferences, and as again to be brought
before tho Frankfort Diet, is not at the earliest, even
should it come to maturity, to come into operation before the
year lh.ls. Despite, however, all efforts to show the con-
trary, there is a very general feeling that the Austrian
union scheme has received a deadly blow by the Hanoverian
treaty; and, although this scheme was pretty generally
repudiated by Prussians a few months ago, yet the illusive
idea of a great Germanic unity has so strongly captivated
all German minds, that I suspect, after all, there is a secret
hankering towards the Austrian project. At least its sudden
disappearance from the possibility of things would rather
disappoint certain vague German hopes.
The breaking up of the Zullverein, as a consequence of
the new treaty, is also by some parties anticipated. Bavaria,
Saxony, and some other states, it is true, are as much in-
clined towards protection as North Germany is towards
free trade; and as the north will now receive a great
accession of strength and of resources, the protective system
(or rather the rcmnatns of it which is so loudly clung to)
is likely to be further weakened in favour of the opposite
principle. Yet, when the pros and rein of the question ma
boith sides come is be practically laid in the balance against
each other, there will be no sufficient cause, I apprehend,
found in their different views fur a dissolution of the
Zollverein.

If, however, their differences did lead to a definitive rup-
ture, this I am inclined to think would be, in most cases,
to the advantage of both parties. South Germany and
North Germany,or as they may be almost with equal distinct-
ness denominated, Catholic Germany and Protestant Ger-
many, are divided from each other by so broad a line, men-
tally and morally, that no community of material interest
an reconcile them ; besides, between the moral and the
material there is the closest and deepest counexion. There-
fore, separation is best, at 'cut where the two tree Is arc
not very considerably mixed together. North Germany
would prrsper best it she could shake off South Germany
altogether. The commercial resources of the North, espe-
cially with the Rhine country, and the union now of the
Stetterverein States, are quite independent of the south.
The south may follow—it cannot lead ; andAbeing led it is
a drag—being associated in commerce with it—on the north.
The Lloyd, in a very remarkable article on this subject,
seems somewhat to agree with the opinion I have just ex-
pressed. It seems to hope for the falling away of the
south from the Prussian Zollverein, that it may enter
into an Austrian Verein, though it does not positively utter
thi+ sentiment. It divides Germany into two groups,
land errs the time has not yet arrived to form of the two
one; that the sauth is at present too much behind the

north to be associated with it. It foresees the accession of
the Haase-towns to the ZeUnreel ; and says that Holstein
and lAuenberg cannot long remain out of it. The article
concludes thus:—" Prussia, in the worst can, must draw
great advantages from her new position. Even if South Ger-
many should go out of the league, Prussia would have ample
compensation for this loss. She is protected by her pre-
sent advantage against every contingent disadvantage, and
may have good hope that no disadvantages will be incurred.
Among the advantages the Prussian government has
derived trom the treaty in question, is this : that it is a
most attractive tub thrown just now to the whale. It di-
verts criticism much from the retrograde policy that is now
being so actively carried on in the Diets. It reflects some real
credit on the ministry, and, under cover of the favour thus
earned, facilitates very much the execution of projects on
which otherwise an undivided popular odium would fall,
much to the embarrassment, if not to the discomfiture, of
his Majesty's councils and councillors.

A letter dated Berlin, Sept. 14, says:
In addition to Oldenburgh and Schaumburg-Lippe, whose
acceloinn to the Zolivercin with Hanover by virtue of the new
treaty is considered certain, negotiations have been com-
menced with Meeklenburgh and Brunswick, with the latter
on account of its territory on the Harz and the Wenn It is
hoped they will be brought to a conclusion within the pre-
rent year. The dispo,ition of the those Towns is
doubtful, whether they will maintain their isolated posi-
tion, or consent to become free harbours of the Collective
Union. No negotiation has been commenced on
this subject either on the part of Prussia or Hanover. It
appears as if they waited for propositions from the Hulse
Towns themselves. An extraordinary conference of the
States of the Zollverein will, it is probAlc, assemble shortly
in Berlin, at which a plenipotentiary of Hanover will take
part, in virtue of the 13th article of the treaty.