The Express.
London, England, 1851-08-26 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

The Suisse, of Berne, on the subject of the differ-
ences with the Austrian authorities, says :—" These
complications have arisen in consequence of the in-
correctness of the reports transmitted by the chiefs
of the Austrian posts to their superior commandants.
They state that the Austrian soldiers had never set
toot on the Swiss territory, and that all the arrests
had taken place on the Losibardian territory, whilst
the reports transmitted to the Swiss authorities
state quite the contrary. Since the federal commis-
sioner has been in the canton of Tesino, explana-
tions have taken place, and the military authorities
show themselves disposed to listen to our remon-
strances. As to the principal fact, the seizure of the
merchandise and the arrest of the smugglers of 11
Pianazzo, Lieutenant-General Giulay is said to have
transmitted a declaration that, even tf the fact were
doubtful, he would restore the merchandise taken,
and release the smugglers, unless it were proved that
the right lay entirely on the side of Austria. The
most essential point, however, is not mentioned
which is us to who is to be the judge of this fact. It
rt.sults, from the information given by M. J)ruey to
the national council, that the Austrian authorities
have not hesitated to order an inquiry, and to give all
the satisfaction which has been admitted undue."

GERMANY

FRANKFORT .ON-THE-MAINE, Aro. 23.

The Diet sits to-day, and will most probably finally
dispose of the question respecting its own compe-
tency. This will also he the lust sitting at which
°Emend Rochow will represent Prussia, as he will
introduce his successor, Von Ilismark Schinkhausen.

General Itochow was to have accompanied his sove-
reign to Huhenzollent, but was compelled by indis•
position to return from Darmstadt.
I mentioned ten days ago that the English and
French governments contemplated renewing their
protest against the incorporation of the Austrian
provinces, and I believed that I should have
been able before this to report that they had
done so. Lord Palmerston is, generally speak-
ing,not very tolerant towards impertinent despatches,
yet if ever one of that nature was written, it is the
reply of the Diet to the English and French pro-
tests. Still he delays carrying out his intention.
The French Minister for Foreign Affairs has been
more prompt, having caused, in the beginning_ of
th • present week, a note to be presented to the Pre-
sident of the Diet, in which the right of his govern-
ment to interfere in such a question is reiterated in
stronger language, and the ground on which the
Diet chose to reject it shown to be inadtnissible.
Now that the Emperor of Russia has intimated to
the cabinet of Vienna that the incorporation of the
Austrian provinces dues not appear desirable to him,
the English and French protests may perhaps meet
with more attention and greater civility in the Diet.

BERLIN, Auo. 23.

The Prewtais,hr Zeituny Formally announces to-day
thY, by a miaiste rial ordinance, all those provinces and cities
which have refused to send deputies to the provincial diets,
are to be deprived of the assistance they would have been
°tits rwise entitled to from the " Ilultskassen," which is a
" poor fund " and " Wall fund," fromw hieh landed proprietors,
fanners, tradesmen, artizans, and "the pour" derive help,
when properly ressomin•tideol, in sums varying from very
large to exceeding small amounts. This fund is not pri-
vate property ; it does not come out of the king's private
puns.. If it did, its possessor would have a
right to do what he liked with it. It is partly
ainassol from voluntary contributions, chiefly of pennies
; and groscheos, by committees appointed fur the purpose,
I and is partly a government grant from the public treasury. ,
On the pretext, however, that its administration belongs
I primarily to the government, and subordinately, both its •
collection anal administration to the relived provincial',
I diets, the government, it is argued, is at full liberty to dis- •
tribute this fund at its will ; and has now published its
determnation to cut off whole cities and districts from the
bene tlts of this institution, simply becauso they have protested
against the renewal of an old feudal institution already oho-
I lashed by law. The official print admits that this measure
I may seam a bard inn., " as it involves the innocent and the
guilty (') in the same penalty." The guilty—remark the
word—guilty of what? The constitutional party alluded to
have broken no law ; no accusation is made against them.
If thsy have violated ony law, why are not some few of
them brought to trial ? And yet on their account whole
cities and provinces are, to use the very word of the
Prefigure/le Zeitung, to be " punished."
Really, in reading all this, one can hardly believe it. One 11
almost fiusdam one's self in Turkey ; or that the King of
Prussia has been suddenly met &morphoses' into a :Slab°-
. medan sultan, and his ministers into Turkish pathos.
An resit', it would be a public benefit if this " Mahn
hasten " were abolished altogether ; for it is nothing inure
' nor leis than a " bribery box." Those who are known to be
' well disposed towards the government may get help from it,
t but other*" need not apply."