The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-05 00:00:00

THE GERMAN CUSTOMS PARLIAMENT.

The Temps remarks on the presentation of the
address from the unity party of the German Customs
Parliament to the King of Prussia in the following
terms :

The presentation of an address to the King of Prussia
by a parliament which has assembled far economical
objects exclusively he of itself a grave fact in the
existing situation of Europe, but its gravity
would be much increased if the majority of
the Customs Parliament gave its adhesion to the
proposition of MM. Metz and Bomberger, in disregard of
the well-known repugnance of three-fourths of the repre-
sentatives of the South, to complete unification. It is
clear, from the rem►rks of our officious journal., from the
language which Le France of to-day employs in regard to
the attitude of the party of unity, and the efforts they
are making to drag the members now assembled
in Berlin beyond the limits of their functions,
that the French government has its eyes fixed at
this moment on what is taking place beyond the
Rhine. We must, however, add that our information
from Germany inclines us to anticipate that the Customs
Parliament will refuse to follow MM. Metz and Bom-
berger in the course they propose. The debate which is
about to take place will be in any case of grab interest.
It will be especially cations to learn what line M. de Bis-
marck will take and what language he will adapt.
The following is the address to which the
Southern deputies object:
Most August, Most Powerful King, Most Gracious King
and Lord,—The German Customs Parliament, convoked
by your Majesty, finds itself obliged, as a representative
of the German people, to bear their testimony
to the national wishes. Your Majesty shows how
the necessity of the German people to &claire
freedom of internal relations, and how the power
of this ides, hare gradually extended the Zollverein
over the largest portion of Germany. We are penetrated
a ith the conviction that this necessity of the nation will
a.lvance liberty in all branches of public life, and
that the force of this national idea will also
ling about in a pacific and prosperous way the
.omislete union of the entire German nation. Love
.•f the German fatherland will be able to overcome in-
ternal obstacles. National honour will unite the entire
people without distinction of parties in case any attempt
'Mould be made from outside to oppose the necessity
which urges the German people to a wider political
mon. Our nation respects the rights of foreign
people and desires peaceful relations with all
,ts neighbours. It may expect the same
cling front others wh its own good should lead it to
,I.e a change in its preceding constitution. We shall
examine with confidence, conformably with our duty, the
pu uposed prospects of law; the common interest of Germany
will guide our deliberations. We receive with particular
vatisfaction the treaty of commerce with Austria. We
attach touch value to friendly relations with a country
which is closely united to us by relationship and
many ties. We have confidence that your Majesty
will be able, thanks to the united forces of
i;vrinan nation, and the harmony of your high confede-
rates, to complete the building of the common work, whose
termination secures safety, power, and peaoe abroad as well
as national prosperity and constitutional liberty at home.

(lECTER'S TELLGRAMS.)
SPAIN.
MADRID, MAT 4, Evniago.

lu to-day's sitting of the Congress the Minister
~1 Finance presented a bill proposing to give pecu-
utiry assistance to the railway companies. He also
read the draft of another bill ordering that all the
ilelits of the state that should not be converted
ulthin a given time should be declared lapsed.