The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-06 00:00:00

THE WAS NEWS.

Daily, almost hourly, says the Times, the chances
of peace fade away. Following upon the abandonment of
the conference, come rumours of military movements,
such as the order of the Prussian government to re-enter
Holstein, asserting the right of joint occupation. Should
the sword be drawn, it is from the Elbe Duchies that we
shall probably hear of the first serious events of the war.
But the contest in this quarter cannot compare in import-
ance with that which is impending on the frontier of the
two monarchies. At any moment the Austrian' may burst
into Silesia a province which is now more
Prussian than Berlin, and the inhabitants of which
are all for war with Austria and for national
aggrandisement by the seizure of the Duchies. If
Prussia seizes Holstein it is not unlikely that Austria's
first great move would be an attempt to possess herself
of Silesia, where Prussia must defend herself, for there
is no one can help her. The Prussian people appear to be as
much against the war as ever, but all experience proves
that the first blows in a strife between nations rouse a war
spirit which soon overcomes the previous discontent or
indifference. The presence of Hungarians and Croat+ on
Prussian soil will probably change the whole face of the
national politics.
The prompt recognition of the French government of
the actual state of the case,finvesta French policy, observes
the Doily News, with the character of reality and
good faith, and it is unfortunate for Austria that
the responsibility of having been the actual cause
of the failure, though she did not create the
danger which the conference was devised to avert,
should fall upon her head. With regard to the military
movements, the Daily News believes that though as a
matter of prudence the Austrian commander in Holstein
may think well to fall back, General Manteuffel has no
orders to dispossess him, but only to share the oocupation
with him, while he is to recognise the right of Austria to
follow the same course in Schleswig. At present, there-
fore, these movements have only a political character, and
it remains to be seen which power will venture to give the
signal for the shock of the mighty hosts concen-
trated. in Bohemia and Silesia—a signal which can
hardly be delayed many days. Appearances in-
dicate that the declaration of war, or the mani-
festo equivalent to it, will proceed from Prussia,
which has already in a circular note to the neutral powers
charged the Austrian government with a flagrant breach
of treaties by referring the Holstein succession to the Diet.
Austria has replied, and these seem to be the last words of
powers about to appeal to the sword. In fact, the King of
Prussia has reviewed his body guards and sent them to the
frontier, and is preparing to leave for headquarters. The
declaration of the Saxon chamber, and the assent of its

government to the couvocation of a German parliament on

the basis of the law of 1649, and the gratuitous oondemns-
tion by a Prussian semi-official journal of the policy pur-
sued by Prussia towards the French Revolution of 1789,
Ai)w that the war will not be exempt from influences
wider than those of cabinets and councils of generals.
The Post thinks it is a matter of congratulation that
Europe has been spared another fiasco through the fore-