The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-11 00:00:00

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.

The Times points out the singular fact that in the late
communications exchanged between Austria and Prussia
absolute silence is preserved as to Schleswig and Hol-
stein, but this is really at the bottom of all their re-
crimination. Count von Bismarck's design was to ply
Austria by a variety of measures at once. But his threats
were carried too far, and Austria when menaced with
war suddenly accepted the issue. She could not
attempt to save her small army of occupation in
,:stein, but she could threaten Silesia. So she
ssancentrated her troops on the Prussian frontier,
and then, when Prussia responded by similar concentra-
tions, demanded to know the intentions of her antagonist.
The Cabinet of Berlin replies as we now see, sad the two
governments vie with each other in disclaiming any inten-
tion of aggression. Sooner or later the question must he
asked and answered, what Pruevia intends to do with
Schleswig and Holstein. At pretent Austria thinks that
Prussia means to seize the Ducl-'es by force, and she pre-
parts force in return. I'. assia for the present hesitates ;
but if Austria persist, the Court of Berlin must neces-
sirily sacrifice either its ambitions projects or its hopes of
peace.
The Post thinks we may assume that the substantial
tenor of the note now addressed to the Prussian govern-
ment is, that in the event of the latter not taking steps to
satisfy Austria that she is not the object of attack, the
Diet will be callad upon to interpose its authority and call
on the several states of the confederation to provide an
army for the preservation of the peace. It is a proposition
of this kind which, co far as we can judge, Prussia is now
desirous of forestalling by summoning a special parliament
representing all Germany, and armed with powers to
declare the confederation of 1815 dissolved.
Count Bismarck's appeal to universal suffrage does not
seem to the Herald to be made with any definite intention
other than that of defeating the plans of Austria. In
demanding the discontinuance of the Prussian armaments.
Austria has gone too far to recede. Either Prussia must
yield, or there must be war—at least, it seems difficult to
find any escape from the alternative.
As the obvious policy of Berlin was to gain time, the

present state of affairs being almost u disastrous to
Austria as open warfare, the Austrian statesmen, the
Telegraph thinks, showed ability in nuking a move which

should compel their antagonist either to declare war or to
abandon his pretensions ; but Count Bismarck, by his bold
project of a universal suffrage parliament, has again se-
cured time and avoided the necessity of giving a positive
reply.

the €unrt.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Aran. 10.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helena
and Princess Leiningen, drove in thegronnds this morning.
Her Majesty, with Princess Helena, Prince.. Louise
Princess Beatrice, Prince Leopold, and Princess Lei.,
ningen, left Windsor Castle to-day at three o'clock for
Osborne.

The suite consisted of the Countess of Caledon, Lady
Augusta Stanley, the Hon. Caroline Cavendish, Lieute-
nant-General Hon. C. Grey, Major-General Hon. A. N.
Hood (equerry in waiting), Lieutenant Stirling, Mr. Bahl,
and the Master of the Household.
The Countess of Caledon has succeeded Lady Waterpark
as lady in waiting, and the Hon. Caroline Cavendish suc-
ceeds as maid of honour.

Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the settlements on the West
Coast of Africa. Despatches were sent to the Governors
of Ceylon, Hong tong, Labnan, and Malta.

WINDSOR Cssrus.—The state apartments of
Windsor Castle will be open to the public on and attar
Thursday next. under the usual regulations.