The Express.
London, England, 1866-03-21 00:00:00

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MICRO

[GENCE.

THE RELATIONS
AND PRUSS I BETWEEN AUSTRIA
A.
The Kreutz Zeitung of the 19th says that it
regards the warlike preparations of Austria and
Saxony as grave facts. The financial situation of
Austria would naturally prevent her from making
a feint, and therefore her armaments must be made
with the serious intention of going to war. Under
such circumstances, it is the duty of Prussia not to
allow herself to be taken by surprise. The situa-
tion becomes more gloomy from day to day, but the
responsibility of it must rest upon those who have
commenced to make military threata. A first fatal
step has been taken.
The Vienna Presse says :
The loss of a battle would be attended with the moat 1
terrible coosequsnoes to Prussia. In that event it is not
an army but a kingdom that would be disintegrated. if
Prussia succumbs she can expect no oonsideration—no
moderation, on the pert of the victors. The more the
small states of Germany were threatened, the more they
will endeavour, the moment eiroarnstances shall have re.
moved their appreheasions, to escape for evermore from
similar dangers. Should Prussia meet with a reverse is
this war it will be so severe that she cannot again recover
herself. The appearances are warlike. A spirit of determiza•
lion prevails at Vienna. They reckoned without their host
at Berlin when they imagined that a esatiment of weakness
would prevail here. I we do sot despair of the wide.
name of peace it is because we appreciate the state of
affairs in Prtissis. To begin war the Prussian government
must take the senseless step of risking much to gain little.
If Prussia does net conquer Schleswig-Holstein nobody will
guarantee her the ulterior possession of Silesia, Saxony,
the Rhenish Provinces, and Westphalia. If she does
annex the Duchies on the Elbe, Prance will be
ready to make her remonstrance, and to all in
question that acquisition once more. Even admitting
that Prussia is not solicitous about rights
which stand io the way of her advantage, we cannot
pose that that she is totally devoid of judgment, foresight, and
prudence. If this be so, and if she is aware that she hes
to deal with an intrepid and prepared adversary, Prude
will beat a retreat at the last moment. We should not be
Isurprised to find the ordoions trumpeters of Berlin making
merry in a few days hence at the expense of those who be-
Ilieved in a coming war. When the bay trees are too high
and pecks may be easily broken in trying to tend them
loir, the foxes of the Friesian Marches are wont to despise,

than.
The Elberfad Gazette mentions that several rifled
pieces of ordnance were sent on the 17th from
Cologne to the fortresses in Silesia.
The Neue Preu.ssialhe Zeitung of the 19th con-
tains the following :
We have to snow°, • grave feet. Aestria end I
Saxony are arming. Up to the present we have sot done
so. In sitaatioos so critical as this, the party who begins
to um compels the other to arm in its turn. The first step
is fatal: that step has been taken. The financial ember.
ressment of Austria does not prevent apparent demonstra-
tions on her part. She therefore means war. Any other
interpretation is impossible. The Prussian government
mast not, under Each cireumetences, allow themselves to
be taken by surprise. No doubt this will exasperate the
situation, but the responsibility must remain with those
who have commenced warlike preparations.
Several German journals state that all the
secondary states—except Hanover and Hesse-
Cassel—have informed the Cabinet of Vienna that
Austria can count upon their support, if she
decides upon submitting the regulation of the
affairs of the duchies to the decision of the
Federal Diet, the only means that may still pre-
vent a conflict. The Wurtemburg Moniteur
declares against the neutrality of the secondary
states, in case of a war between Austria and
Prussia :
The only true or possible policy of these states (it
says) would be to oppose whoever should trouble the
peace or violate the Federal compact, as the Emperor
Nicholas said, " The first who draws his sword shall have
for his iroonny."

(zromm's miasma.)
SPAIN.
MADRID, Maim 20, Emma.

Marshal O'Donnell has completely recovered.
Important despatches have been received by the
government from the Spanish ambassador at
Washington.