The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-17 00:00:00

,
TENITIGt

.PRIL 1°

LATEST ININiLIGENCE. •
•
THE RUSTROrPAISSIAN QUESTION, '`.
The inciependastee nays :
The news from Berlin is more peaceful. Diplomacy is
active in diminishing the chances of a conflict Russia is par-
ticularly active in promoting peace, and it is not probable
that the two other great powers confine themselves to
a purely passive role. The secondary German States are
endeavouring to bring the question at isms within the do-
main of the federal law and toprevent anything like hostile
proceedings. For this purpose several of these States are
preparing a proposition with the view of demanding
a simultaneous disarmament by the two great Powers
and refusing to entertain the project of reform until this
disarmament shall have taken place. Amongst the pacific
signs may be mentioned the fact that a portion of the
reserves which were called in by Prussia have been allowed
to go home. On the other hand it is certain that Austria
has for the moment given up her intention of asking the
Diet to mobilise the federal contingents.
If (writes the Ott Deutsche Post) Prussia thinks that the
hour is come for realising her ambitious designs—for wrest-
ing from Austria and conquering for herself the hegemony
of Germany, it is time for us to take our swords in hand,
and to do that which we are forced to do. It
is our right and duty to maintain our position
in Germany. We should be oblivious of our history if
we were lightly to abandon our right, and we should be
violating our duty if we were to abdicate in favour of
Pniaria. In the present conflict there is no middle term.
The question is whether Germany is to become Prussian,
or whether she is to preserve her federal organisation under
the aegis of Austria.
The Vienna Preset has the following:
The outrage done to Austria at the present moment is
so revolting, the motives which are urging our prime
enemy to aggression are so criminal and so immoral,
that the most profound indignation pervades all per-
sons and makes them capable of the greatest sacrifices.
The vigour, which the consciousness of fighting
for a just cause inspires, is not to be despised.
Austria has this time on her side a moral force which is
equivalent to a good alliance. There never was a more
;•sous manifestation of manly repugnance than
that which exists against those who at present
hold power in Prussia. The Austrian nation clearly
sees a distinction between the hostility of Prussia and
that of Italy. The former desires to wrest from us the
strength and pivot on which our existence as a great power
depends. The latter bas a more circumscribed view. Italy
desires to take from us a province which we hold dear, but
for which we may in various ways obtain compensation.
It is the persevering hostility of Prussia which is alone
mortal in its character. Politicians have often con-
sidered the means of indemnifying us for Venetia
and offering an equivalent, which would transform the
eternal divisions between Austria and Italy into a per-
petual peace. But they have not succeeded. Neither
Servia nor Montenegro, nor Wallachia, nor Moldavia,
could be that equivalent, and we could not find
it in Germany, for we would never accept an
indemnity derived from the territory of our silica
A declaration of war on the part of Prussia would
greatly facilitate the solution of this difficult European
problem. That very Silesia which was torn from us a cen-
tury ago by a war of conquest would constitute a complete
indemnity for Venetia. By regaining on the Oder what
we might resign on the Mincio, a glorious war might pos-
sibly be terminated by a real and lasting peace.
The Kreuz Zeitung contains the following :
Fur several days Herr von Bismarck has been suffering
from nervous rheumatism, brought on in consequence of
incesaant labour during the last few months. His medical
advisers have recommended perfect quiet and abstinence
from all business. The reports which were current on the
Exchange of ministerial modifications are pure inventions.