Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-06-29 00:00:00

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA

VIENNA, TUESDAY. —The report is current, that the
Emperor of Austria will shortly have an interview with the
Prince Regent of Prussia. Two decrees favourable to
Protestants and Jews are expected.

THE GERMANIC CONFEDERATION AND

THE WAR

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saxony has addressed
a despatch to M. de Kcenneritz, Saxon Minister at St.
Petersburgh, in reply to the circular of Prince Gortschakoff.

After elaborately examining the Russian circular, the Saxon
Minister continues :

" This is not the first time that the Diet of Frankfort has
been called on to discuss the extent of the federal obligations
of Germany to the two great Powers which form part of the
Confederation. It is not without utility to recall precedents
of a very recent date ; they will prove in what manner its
defensive character has hitherto been understood without
giving rise to any objection on the part of the Great Powers
which signed the treaties on the basis of which Germany
entered into public European law.
" Some years ago Russia, owing to a difference with the
Ottoman empire, caused her troops to occupy the Danubian
Principalities. The intervention of the great powers having
for its object to bring about an understanding, remained
fruitless, in consequence of the refusal of the Ottoman Porte
to accept purely and simply the arbitration of the conference
of Vienna, and Turkey then declared war on Russia. She
had for her allies England and France. At that elioch the
Germanic Confederation, on the proposition of Austria and
Prussia, took a resolution that any act of agression against
the non-Germanic possessions of Austria and Prussia should
be considered as an equivalent to an attack on the Federal
territory, and when some months after the Austrian troops
occupied the Danubian Principalities, the confederation
amplified the said resolution to the effect that an attack on
that armed force, which was not only out of . the federal but
even of the Austrian territory, should be considered as an
agression against the confederation.

" I am not aware that these decisions drew forth protests
or remonstrances from Paris or London or even from St.
Petersburgh ; and yet the Imperial Government of Russia
would certainly have found cause for opposing them if the
attitude of the Confederation had been contrary to treaties.
But if the Confederation then remained within the limits
of its rights and its duties, why should it now falsify the
object of its institution, and disregard the spirit of treaties,
by taking similar resolutions ? Or is there no analogy
between present circumstances and those which then existed ?
There is in truth a difference to be noted. In 1854 the
Confederation had in view the eventuality of an aggression
coming from the east, and it now turns its regards towards
the west. But at that epoch the intervention of the Diet
was not preceded by any act or demonstration tending to
menace the Austrian or Prussian 'territory ; but now, on the
contrary, the intervention has not yet taken place, but the
Austrian territory is already invaded.
"Will it he objected to us at St. Petersburgh that at that
epoch Germany had more to dread from Russia than she
now has from France ? The despatch of Prince Gortschakoff
reminds us that the French goYernment has solemnly pro-
claimed that it has no hostile intention towards Germany.
It at the same time informs us that this declaration was re-
ceived with ready assent by the majority 'of the Great
Powers. We however remember a manifesto proclaiming
the intention of delivering Italy from the Alps to the
Adriatic. Has this declaration also obtained the ready
assent of the Great Powers ?
"ibis dispatch of Prince Gortschakoff states once more the
intention of the Imperial Government to watch over the
maintenance of the European equelibrium. We are pro-
foundly impressed with the re-assuring character of this
manifestation as regards the future of Europe. We can ap-
preciate in the same degree the importance of the interest
which the Imperial government professes to attach to the
integrity of Germany. We flatter ourselves with' the per-
suasion that if Russia has made sacrifices in favour of Ger-
many, she does not regret them, for, as stated in the despatch
of M. de Gortschakoff, Russia acts in accordance with her
own interests, and circumstances have arisen in whiCh
Russia, in her turn, has had reason to be satisfied that
Germany was eqUally inspired by her own interests.
Germany at present calls for no sacrifices ; she only claims
her independence in the accomplishment of her federal
duties. In thus speaking we have no pretension to be the
organ of Germany ; but in matters concerning federal affairs
and the maintenance of the rights as well as the obligatiens
of the Confederation, we think -each of the Germanic
governments is called upon to speak, and, on our part we
do not fear any contradiction ,from our .confederates.
will please to read the present despatch to Print
Gortsehaloff. " BEUST."
The National Gazette of Berlin publishes a sort of
.appeal
to the German nation signed by the principal menibers of
the two Chambers of the Duchy of Nassaa, calling on them
to leave to Prussia the direction of affairs in the present
crisis; They declare, however, that though they are
dispOsed to combat, for Germany, they will not do so for the
maintenance-of the treaties of 1815., "If Germ any," the
add, " must make war, it will be for herself,, and not to
defend the interests of Austria. " A letter from Berlin, of
the 24th, in the Consfitutionnel, says:—