The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-17 00:00:00

AUSTRIA'S DIST'RESS.

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It is painful, exclaims the Times, to see what
straws a drowning man will catch at The Emperor
FrancisNfoseph, finding that be is scarcely noticed in his
own capital, and that sullen citizens debate as to
the expediency of casting in their lot with Prussia,—
puts his trust in the Hungarians, and flatters him-
self that that nation will rush to arms as volunteers,
and this at a time when such Hungarians who think that
the interests of their country may yet be made con_
siatent with those of the dynasty, with M. Desk
at their heed, are at Vienna, driving as bard a bargain
. _

ith the bewildered and demoralised councils of the Em-
peror as dire necessity has power to impose. Truly, the
sins of the Hapsburgs are being visited on their children's
children, and we hardly believe so inveterate an enmity
can harbour in German or even in Italian bosoms as not to
be disarmed by the sight of the misery and humiliation into
which that dynasty is falling, and not to wish to break its
fall, and save as much of its greatness as may yet be found
compatible with the exigencies of the age. The concessions
which propitiate the Magyar will for ever set the dynasty
at war with the Germans, who will never submit to absorp-
tion by Magyar and Sclavonian elements. Kossuth should
Imo, _ _

nr that the last thing his countrymen wish for is sever-
ance from the House of Hapsburg. Their aim is to make
the dynasty their own, and to exercise sovereign power
through it ; and present events bid fair to pnt the sove-
reign altogether at their discretion.
The Daily News sketches the latest positions of the
belligerent forces, and enumerates their more significant
acts. All the ri prts from Vienna, it remarks, bear
witness to the feeling of discouragement which breathes
in the Emperor's reply to the deputation from the Vien-
nese. The soldiers are in a state of deep depression, and
the new forms required for the next battle are not forth-
coming. The army of Italy, on which so much reliance
has been placed, is only available to the extent of about
half its strength, the other half being separated from
Vienna by the interposition of Cialtlini's col pa. On the
side of Prussia soldiers abound ; the German people re-
cognise their leaders in the Prussians, and new states are
beginning to offer their contir.gents to the successful army.

The Post contends it is of the utmost consequence to
Europe that Austria should not only be upheld but actu-
ally strengthened. This might be broulht about by a
rectification of frontiers, for which, it should be remarked,
Prussia must be held responsible. Sooner or later, if not
now, the question on which the Kaiser has appealed to
the Hungarians will have to be dealt with as one of Euro-
peen importance, and determined in the interests of peace.
The Herald hes not yet lost all hope of the acceptance
of the mediation of Great Britain, France, and Russi►
To the British people, when the first regrets are past for
the admitted defeat of the oldest and most respectable of
conservative monarchies, there may be some consolation In
the fact that the grandson of Victoria, a prince half an
Englishman in blood, is likely to succeed to such a do.
minion as that of Prussia will become.