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

AUSTRIA.

(mon OUR owl; coaßsapoirDivr.)
VIENNA, Aria. 12.
Austria makes no opposition to the reform pro-
ject of Count Bismarck. She only wishes to know
more particulars about it. There are three things
now to be decided on—War, Schleswig-Holstein, and
the reform of the Diet. Should there be war, the re-
form project, Austria says, cannot be taken in hand.
A council cannot be held while an earthquake is
going on. Besides, the war, and the intentions
of Prussia shown by it, would modify Austria's
views.

If there is war, how can we have a representative
assembly where Prussians and Austrians are sitting
to debate, while on the field Prussians and Aus-
trians are battling against each other I However,
Austria throws no difficulty in the way of the pro-
ject—none whatever.

Aram 13.

From Berlin—so the telegraph announces--satin,
faction will be demanded for the temporary arrest
and extradition of the Prussian officer, Count Wel-
dereen, wbo was Sound making plans of the for-
tresses and of the surrounding ground. The
drawings were found in his pocket-book, besides
three passports, all with different names, and not
one of them with his own. Of course Count Bis-
marck will deny this. The Prussian papers ask
what would Austria say if one of her officers trs-
yelling in Prussia were to be treated in this way ?
If he had Übe papers with him and were found
trespassing against the law, he would, no doubt,
and deserVedly, be treated as Count Waldman
has been treated. He was freed from his short arrest
by a telegraphic order direct from the Emperor. We
in England have also a different line of conduct
for an. individual found under suspicious circum-
stances, with a " jemmy" in his pocket, and
skeleton keys and dark lantern, and for the ordinary
wayfarer who has no such implements about him.
Even according to Prussian law the punishment for
the offence Count Wsldersen was guilty of is five
years' imprisonment in the House of Correction.
In time of war, as all know, it is death.
Up to this moment no answer has been returned
' from Berlin. People confidently expect it will be a
refusal to disarm ; in which ease, as I learn from
' good authority, Austria will most probably take
• steps for putting her army on a war footing. There
were this morning unpleasant rumours from Paris.
They were, however, without foundation. Official
information testifies to the satisfactory behaviour
of Napoleon in the pending question.

Aran. 14.

An article in the Prase of to-day, relating to the
cession of Venice, has attracted very much atten-
tion. It Is so important that I give the whole of
the conclusion :
The Austrian people know very well how to distinguish
between the dislike of Prussia and of Italy. The first
strives to rob us of power and of support, without which
ear existence as a great power is not conceivable. The
second has • much more circumscribed aim : she endea-
vours to deprive us of a province that is of value to us, but
for which, no doubt, many an indemnity might be found.
The enmity with which our Prussian " ally " visits us is
alone of a deadly nature. European policy has thought
much how it would be possible to give us compensation for
Venetia, wffieh at least should be of as mueb value, and
which should transform the continual strife between Austria
and Italy into a lasting peace between these states, but as
yet it has not been found. Neither Servia nor Montene-
gro, neither W►llachia nor Moldavia could yield it. Nor
could we look for it in Germany, because we never would
accept a fitting return for what we gave up out of the ter-
ritory of our own allies. A declaration of war on the part of
Prussia makes the solution of this most difficult of all Euro-
pean questions much easier. That same Silesia which a
hundred years ago was torn from us by a war of conquest
might be considered a complete compensation fur Venetia.
The principal thing is to win over the ruler on the Seine,
who cannot possibly view favourably the aggressive policy
of Prussia, for this plan. Were it adopted in Paris, Italy
would, as s matter of course, be tranquillised ; and
Prussia, which was so enthusiastic for Italian unity,
would, in the consciousness of having gained that
aim, learn to console herself for the loss of
this old Austrian province. Its gain would be
the fairest reward for the warlike success of our brave
armies. The coming war must and ought to force upon
us a similar policy. It is not by the double struggle in
the north and in the south, not by military success alone,
that we are able to obtain • sufficient result. If at last
we had defended and maintained every foot of our soil
and then made peace, all that could be gained would be a
cessation of boatilities. The undecided questions would
always lead to new entanglements and struggles. But if
we gain on the Oder what we lose on the Blind°, then •
real and lasting peace would be the happy result of a glo-
. rious war.
The project of the Prase finds favour. The
great thing is to bring the Emperor to accustom
himself to think of ceding Venetia, which is, and
r not unnaturally, most distasteful to him.