The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-07 00:00:00

withdraw them.

We arc far from from finding a complete analogy between
the case of NU and the plan under discussion in
although we think that a defensive alliance may always be
concluded without the necessity of obtaining the consent of
a foreign power, were it even one of those guaranteeing a
treaty which in the first instance restricted that alliance to
a certain number of states. We arc, however, of opinion
that the incorporation of all Austria's dominions does
not imply the least danger to those foreign states which
chiefly protest against that intention. Such a step as that
in contemplation would impart to the Austrian monarchy
that defensive character which is that of the whole Ger-
manic confederation. Is it poseible to find in this character—

which deprives a great European power of all perspective of
an aggressive war—is it possible to find in such an act a
demonstration in the least hostile or even only unfavoura-
ble to any foreign power whatsoever.
Such an act would, it seems to us, be the political conso-
lidation of a purely conservative principle, which declares
that Austria renounces for ever a right which forms part of
the attributes of a great power.
The affair in question may be considered by the states of
the Germanic confederation in a light totally different
from that in which Austria views it. These states might
find in it a preponderance unsuited to the purely German
interests of the confederation, and the primitive character
of that international alliance. But the two western powers
will never be influenced by an alliance which declares that
Austria aspires to no aggrandisement whatever. If, however,

they fear this alliance, they thereby leave it to be under-
stood that they have afterthoughts incompatible with that
conservativeness which should direct the cabinets of Europe
if the desire were felt to prevent revolutionary principles
from meeting with allies in these same cabinets.
We do not believe that the incorporation of the whole
Austrian monarchy can be effected in the interval of a day.
This we believe still wore from the conviction that Austria will
not obtain by the incorporat ion any advantages that shc would
aot possess without it. This power, in order to put an end
to the Sardinian invasion, did not require any alliance.
And as for the Hungarian war every one knows that
Russia, her faithful ally, did not belong to the
Germanic confederation. Would it have been pos-

sible for Prussia not to be guided in a similar
rase by the conservative tendency, as opposed to revolutions
which moved Russian troops into Hungary? The three
northern powers are natural allies against revolution.
They cannot refuse to afford Austria all the assistance she
may require to check rcvolutio If they were unwilling so
to do; they might find numerous loopholes through which
to escape from a natural obligation, whatever might be tho
relations existing between Austria and the confederation.
Thus the political advantages which Austria might de-
rive from the project in question would not have the im-
portance which is sought in certain quarters to be given to
it; for this reason we think that that power will reflect be-
fore taking a step which would impose upon it sacrifices
and obligations uncompensated, and would give it no other
guarantees than those already existent in the unvarying and
strongly founded policy of the northern powers.
However, as regards the protests of tae two western
powers, we think that they will have little influence on a
question which may be adjourned by internal considerations,
but the solution of which will never be prevented by a
foreign power if the Germanic confederacy is of one mind
on the point. We have no mind to quote either Vatel

or Grotitts, but we know that if the two western
powers wished to support their notes by energetic demon-
strations in case all Austria entered the Germanic confede-
ration, they would make these demonstrations even were
that step not in contemplation. Some pretext or other
would soon be found for meddling in German affairs. It is
for this reason that Germany should not take into consi-
deration the pretext at present alleged.

I'ItUSSIA.
A telegraphic despatch from Frankfort, published
by the official Berlin Anzeiyer, states that the diet has
taken a unanimous decision in favour of dissevering
from the Germanic confederation the Prussian pro-
vinces incorporated in 1848.