The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-12 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

THE WAR.

jszurzs's Tazonalts.)

PROGRESS OF THE ARMISTICE NEGOCIA-
TIONS.-PROPOSALS OF FRANCE.
PARIS, JULY 11, EVENING.
- - -

The Moniteur du Soir says :—" The belligerent
powers have accepted in principle the mediation
offered by the Emperor Napoleon. The French
government is making every effort in favour of the
conclusion of an armistice, which by preventing
further bloodshed would allow of negotiations
being opened for the restoration of peace."
The Patrie of this evening says :—"The negotia-
tions for an armistice have been delayed by the
necessity of taking into simultaneous consideration
both the conditions of the armistice and the pre-
liminary bases of a future treaty of peace. Prussia
wishes to know beforehand the advantages which
will be definitely assured to her."
Prince Napoleon was present at the council of
ministers held to-day.

The Presse of this evening publishes an article
signed by M. Cucheval Clarigny, in which it says :
" Yesterday, after the audience given by the Em-
peror to Prince von Reuss, a meeting was held at
the Tuileries, in his Majesty's presence. Prince
Metternich represented I Austria, and Count
von Goltz and Prince von Reuss, Prussia. M.
Drouyn de Lhuys communicated the views of
France, and drew up a report of the proceedings at
the meeting. The following are the bases of the
negotiations suggested by France, and oommunL
cated to Count von Goltz and Prince Metternich,
by whom they have been transmitted to Berlin and
Vienna :—` The Germanic Confederation is to be
dissolved, 'and another Confederation to be estab-
lished, of which neither Prussia nor Austria
should form part. No territorial conces-
sion to be demanded of Austria. The
abandonment by the latter of her rights in the
duchies to replace the war indemnity at first de-
manded by Prussia. Prussia to incorporate
Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse-Cassel, Hesse-Darm-
stadt, and Brunswick. The population of the
Prussian kingdom would thereby be raised
to 25,000,000. The Rhine to constitute the
western frontier of Prussia, and the provinces be-
tween the Rhine and Meuse to serve as indemnity
to the sovereigns dispossessed by the war. An
exchange of territory to take place between Baden
and Bavaria, which would give the former nearly
the whole of the Rhenish palatinate. Saxony,
Hanover,
and the duchies of Saxe to conclude
military conventions with Prussia. The inhabitants
of Landau to choose whether they shall belong to
France or Baden, and the population of the valley
of the Sarre to choose between France and the
new Rhenish sovereigns.' "
Baron von Beust arrived this morning in Paris.
La France of this evening says :—" Fresh inci-
dents have retarded the departure of Prince Na-
poleon. The Prussian conditions contained in the
letter brought by Prince Reuss are stated to be as
follows :—The exclusion of Austria from the Ger-
manic Confederation ; the exclusive command of
the military and naval forces of the Confederation
by Prussia ; the diplomatic representation of Ger-
many abroad ; and the annexation to Prussia of
the Duchies and part of the territory already occu-
pied." La France further states that it has "reason
to believe that the Emperor immediately despatched
to London and St. Petersburg the important com-
munications of Prince Reuss, as raising questions
of European interest which can only be settled by
the concert of the Great Powers."

BERLIN, JULY 11.

According to intelligence published here, the
Austrian government has not yet agreed to the
Prussian demand that the preliminaries of a treaty
of peace should be settled before the conclusion of
an armistice. It is believed that unless Austria
accedes to this proposal no armistice will be ac-
cepted by Italy.
The official Sktat4onieiger of to-day says :—" We
arc authorised to make the following declaration.
Treaties existing between Prussia and Italy render
impossible an armistice or the conclusion of peace
with Austria without the mutual consent of Italy
and Prussia. Italy is therefore unable to accede
to Austria's wish for a one-sided peace by accept-
ing Venetia, and thus putting an end to the war.
Europe knows that it was no sordid love of con-
quest that impelled Prussia to go to war.
Prussia fights for the highest national aims. She
demands for herself guarantees of territorial security,
and for Germany the establishment of its unity,
embracing at least the majority of the Staten.
Herein Prussia has the support of most of the
patriotic princes of Germany. The people of
Prussia are sacrificing their blood and treasure, and
her sons are inspired by the holiness:of the conflict,
as were their fathers in 1813. Everywhere the
I Prussians give proof that they are fighting not
against the people but against the governments
which vainly attempted to incite the former against
Prussia. In all parts the feelings of hatred give
way to more noble sentiments towards us. The
army, sustained by the consciousness of its lofty
Itask, will conquer or die."

HOHEICNOUTH, JrLY 11.

The Prussians will shortly take possession of
Prague—the occupation of that city being, how_
ever, only a secondary object. The day before
yesterday an encounter took place near Zittau, re-
sulting in favour of the Prussians, who cut off a
large Austrian provision train. Numerous pri-
soners continue to be brought in. The Grand
Duke of Mecklenburg Schwerin, commander of
the second reserve corps in course of formation at
Leipzig, has been appointed aide-de-camp. Herr