The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-20 00:00:00

THE PARIS PRESS ON THE ICING OF

PRUSSIA'S SPEECH.

The King of Prusaia's speech in closing the
Reichstag is commented on by the Paris journals
in a very diversified manner, some considering its
language quite insignificant, others as favourable
to peace, and a third clams as positively hostile to
France, from the word " conciliation" never ap-
pearing from one end of the allocution to the other.
In the first category is to be placed the Debate,
which merely says :
The King's language presents nothing particularly
remarkable. The speech is sufficiently colourless, and has,
properly speaking, no political signification.
The Union is of precisely the same opinion, its
language running thus:
The speech pronounced by King William is quite colour-
less ; but it is intentionally so, continuing in • calculated
vagueness on pending questions. Count de Bismarck
knew well that the moment was not one for risking any
imprudent word. Ile is always there, organising and
watching everything.
_. _

The Eteutiand looks on the King's language as
most pacific :
Europe (the writer observes) takes notice of these words
from their loyal dignity and calm firmness. Peace, de-
fended by respect for the rights of all—is not that in
effect the unanimous wish of the civilised world ? Wil-
liam I. twice expressed with as much grandeur as energy
that the German country, free in its confederation, strong
enough to make its rights respected and to respect those
of other peoples, ie a serious gage for peace. If Germany
ever forgot the principles proclaimed by the King of
Prussia, history would cover the trophies of 1866 with a
mourning-crape.

The Patric inclines to the opinion of the King
intending to maintain peace:
_ .

This speech (it says) grave in form and somewhat nebul-
ous in expression, reproduces the phraseology of the mystic
patriotism habitual to King William ; but on one point, that
which ought the most to excite our interest, it arrives at •
position which we cannot but point out. Twice the King
of Prussia declares that the organisation of the German
country ought to have for result the maintenance of peace.
All Germany, says the King, her governments as well as
her peoples, agree in declaring that the national power,
which has just been achieved, is to be consolidated by
safeguarding the benefits of pesos.
- .

The Opinion Nationale is not so favourable in
its views of the document, its observations being
the following :
What has been above all sought for in this document is
an indication of the feeling and resolve of the Prussian
government relative to the Luxemburg question, as
affecting the preservation of peace. We have no doubt—
we never had any—that peace is desired in Ger-
many, for what people inglithellirworld does not
prefer a fruitful peace to war with all its disasters! But
the question is to know to what conditions King William
subjects his sympathies for peace, and his speech main-
tain' a profound silence on that subject. The word " con-
ciliation " was not even pronounced. We think, conse-
quently, that there is not, as respects the most important
point in the situation, the slightest conclusion to be drawn
from the language of the King of Prussia. His attitude
is that of a soldier who stands motionless with shouldered
ems.

The Presse and the Gazette de Prance take pretty
much the same view of the speech.

The Liberli sees the German (empire in King
William's words, as well as hostility to France :
The empire of Germany (it says) which the policy of
France had for centuries aimed at destroying, is re-
established in fact, and will soon be officially restored. It
is revived by means of France, who witriMe word might
have prevented the war between Austria and Prussia in
1866. It ia restored through France, who, by allying her-
self with Germany, might prevent its re-establishment.
It is renewed, thar.ks to France, who facilitated the work
of Count de Bismarck, by making, after Badowa„terri.
torial demands before which tall
.thasensions have dis-
appeared.

(REUTSIOII TELEGRAMS.)
PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, APRIL 20.
All the rumours which have lately jcirculated
respecting Prussian armaments are authoritatively
declared to be pure inventions.

Up to the present time no real warlike prepara-
tions have taken place.

INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS.
GALLE, ArsiL 16.
The Rangoon, from China, arrived yesterday,
and the Geelong, from Australia, to-day.
The Simla will probably leave for Suez to-
morrow.

OUTWARD MAIL OF JANUARY 20-26.
The Avoca reached Melbourne on 16th and
Sydney on the 19th March.
01"TWARD MAIL OF 4-11 MARCH.
The Nubia arrived at Galle on April 3.

r.l 3brireme.
, In, P. I I L
D. w.
••••• --•
Notre l9OO 46 W. 111 1 , LW. et 623 1
Abortion 29.03 49 8. 3 , &W. b :80
I.elth 29.08 69 W. 4 3 W. or 0.10.
Ardromen 29.0768 LW. 5I 6 B.W. o ,0.36: 4
Greencastle 29.07 4d N.W. 316 &W. to 0.116
ValenUa.. 29.3664 N.W. 4 6 8.8.8. to II 13
- I -
liverpool 29.22 50 &L 16 !2 ' 8.8. b '6o6'
Holyhead 79.16 40 &LW. 3, 0 8.8. W. 0 0.08, 3
Peuxamos 20.22 63 &W. 7 & re 0.17, 6
Brest 20.33 62 &W. 5 7 &W. fr 0.16 6
Eeriest 29.37 67 8. 6I 7 I M. or 0.16 5
Rocludort 29.49 67 LM. 6I 1 1 V. c —: 2
Plymouth 29.26 62 6.LW. 2 6' 8.8.6 to 0.32.3
Weymouth 29.62 62 66 I 8. o 0.04 4
Portsmouth_ 19.3663 8.8. W. 6 8.8.W. fr 0.02 3
London 29.36 66 LW. 4 7 • B.W. brc -
Yartoooth 26.41 SA LW. 3 01 W. co
Ihmrhemea. 29.26 81 W. 8.10. 3 1 8. Ibr 0.08 3
Shields 29az 52 2 2 I &W. c —, 2
Helder