The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-21 00:00:00

WAR RUMOURS.

In the present state, of the public mind the
craving for news from America is naturally so great
that every word that comes with any authority
from the other aide of the Atlantic is invested with
an undue importance. "Thus it happens," says
the Peal, "that because Mr. Adams has re-
ceived a despatch from Mr. Seward which is
of a friendly character to this country, and
discusses in fair and pleasant terms the
matters with which it deals, exaggeration is
swift to lay hold of the circumstance, and puff
it up to the largest dimensions. People whispered
yesterday, and then said openly, that the American
government bad written to disavow the act of Capt.
Wilkes, that Mr. Lincoln was ready to apologise,
and that the whole difficulty was settled. We are
sorry to have to dissipate these too easily raised
illusions. They are quite ungrounded, for, if we
are not misinformed, the despatch in question does
not, in any way whatever, refer to the outrage on
our mail steamer. It deals only with sonic of the
current business between the two governments."
The Press of to-day—a paper which can scarcely
be said to be celebrated for the correctness of its
"special information"—has another commusisqui
on the subject of America. We read :
We are in a position to state that her Majesty's govern-
ment, apprehensive of an unfavourable answer from the li
cabinet of Washington, and deeply impressed with
the necessity, should war occur, of immediate
action in order to prevent losses in our com-
mercial marine from the war-ships and privateers
of the Federal government, have taken measures to com-
mence hostilities the moment the retain of Lord Lyons
shall announce the rupture of diplomatic relations. The in-
structions given to our ambassador are imperative—he has
no discretion left—he most either immediately seed us the
commissioners or come back himself. So that by the and
of the month we shall have at Liverpool either Messrs,
Slidell and Mason, or Lord Lyons—and war.
In order to be ready for immediate hostilities, we under.
stand that all the mammary proclamations and other papers
have bees prepared, and only await signature. A Coastal
of War—if we may um the term—has also been in session,
consisting of the Premise, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs,
for the Colonies, for War, and for the Admiralty, aided by the
legal advice of the Solicitor-General. Instructioas have bees
despatched to our various colonial authorities, and to our
naval sod military commanders abroad, preparing them for
what may follow. A great muster of all our ships of war
is the Mediterranean is already taking plan at Gibraltar.
And there cannot be *doubt that, despite his recent attack
of gout—which we sincerely rejoice to know was not severe,
sad has now passed off —tiro veteran Premier is displaying
his characteristic energy with unabated sprat.

ITALY.

The Official oa:ctie of Turin publishes a royal
decree granting a full amnesty to all those who
have absconded in order to avoid the conscription,
provided they surrender within the present month.
The municipality of Naples has issued an appeal
to public charity in favour of the inhabitants of
Torre del Greco. It adds that 100 beds have been
prepared far those who have taken refuge in Naples
from the calamity, and that, notwithstanding the
impoverished state of the municipal exchequer,
12,000 duvets (50,000 fr.) have been voted for the
immediate relief of the sufferers.