The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-12 00:00:00

EN
IGEN E. 1 IL Drouyn

Question.

FRANKFORT‘ON.TIIE-MAINE, June 10.

The following is a correct summary of the circular

despatch addressed by M. Drouyn de Lhuys to the
diplomatic agents of the Emperor upon the 28th of
June. The despatch treats of the labours of the
Landon Conference and of the resumption of hosti-

After the statement that " the Plenipotentiaries
who met at London to re-establish peace between
Germany and Denmark separated, after having
mfirmed the inutility of their efforts, and the bel-
Nerent parties immediately resumed arms," M.
Deouyn de Lhuys "sensibly regrets that the labours
of the Conference have not had a more satisfactory
result," and he avails himself of this very opportune
occasion to recall " that it has not been the fault of
France that the conclusion was not different."
The despatch then continues,—

" We have not shut our eyes to the difficulties
which this negotiation presented. Thus, before its
commencement we had used every effort ,to obtain
the meeting of the Conference upon the fittest con-
ditions to facilitate its task. lYe had especially
desired that a real armistice should be previously
concluded for the entire duration of the delibera-

tions, and that the basis of discussion should be
determined in advance. The parties have been
unable to agree upon these two points, and although
this first difficulty inspired us at the outset with
doubts as to the issue of the Conference, we have
none the less sincerely seconded this effort at
conciliation. The Plenipotentiary of the Emperor
was, consequently, desired to support or to suggest
every proposition which appeared likely to
bring about an agreement. The point of
departure of the discussion was naturally,
first of all, to be sought in the arrangements of 1852.
We asked ourselves, therefore, first, whether, if re.
modelled so as to attain their object better, they
might not be made the basis of an equitable arrange-
ment, and it was in this sense that the represents■
rive of France expressed himself at the opening of

he negotiations. When, after recognition of the

impcs3ibility of keeping the discussion upon this
ground, the English Government proposed an an.
rangement giving the southern portion of Schleswig
to Holstein as well as Lauenburg, we did not hesi-
tate to agree to this combination. It had in our
eyes the advantage of taking into account the
national sentiment of the German population o"

chleswig, and of leaving to Holstein—increased by
his annexation—the right of deciding upon its own
ate. While lending our support to the English
Plenipotentiaries, we acted in perfect conformity
with the principles of our public law, and we
should have been rejoiced at an arrangement which
appeared to us acceptable to both parties. The
German Powers did not. consider themselves able
to adhere to it. They claimed for the frontier a line
of demarcation which would have assured to Ger-
many the possession of the mixed districts, while
Denmark persisted in not adding this fresh sacri-
fice to those she had consented to make in abandon-
ing Southern Schleswig, as well as Holstein and
Lauenburg, While all the other combinations put
forward were thrown aside we suggested a last plan.
We recommended that the populations forming the
subject of dispute should be called upon to express
their sentiments, and thus furnish the Conference
with the necessary data for tracing the line of de-
marcation in the most equitable manner. We have
not been able to prevent the rupture of negotiations,
and the difference is again left to be decided by
arms."

The despatch concludes as follows :
" Opinion has shown itself sensibly moved by the
resumption of hostilities, and looks with disquiet to
the consequences so unequal a contest may entail.
For our part, we shall be unable to disregard the
bearing of events so directly affecting the interests
of all the maritime Powers in the North, and even
those of the equilibrium of this portion of Europe.
We entertain the sincerest wishes that the dangers
may be avoided which these events might bring
about ; and, guided by the same sentiments which
have hitherto proved the rule of our conduct, and
desiring to maintain the impartial attitude we have
taken up, we are willing to hope that no complica-
tion will arise of so grave a nature as to necessitate
our embracing a diffrrent policy."

Military Operations on the Gold Coast,

Some very interesting despatches on the subject
of the Ashantee War were published yesterday
We extract the last despatch from the Colonial•

office

(No. 3.)
Copy of a despatch from the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell,

M.P., to Governor Pine.

(No. 157) Downing-street, June 23, 1861,
Sir,— It was a source of sincere satisfaction to mo to re-
ceive from Acting-Governor Hackett by this mail the an-
nouncement that you were on board her Majesty's ship
Rattlesnake at Lagos, and, though still unable to write,
were convalescent. I shall be glad to learn from yourself

that you have been completely restored to health, and have
been enabled to return to your Government at Cape Coast
Castle.

I cannot, however, but feel very doubtful whether your
recovery may have been so rapid and so decided as to make
this possible; and I have therefore thought it right to ad-
dress this despatch uneer cover to Acting Governor Hackett
and to make the necessary provision for a successor in case
of his being disabled by illness during your continued
absence by sending to Lieut.-Colonel Conran a commission
from her Majesty for that purpose.