The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-25 00:00:00

COMAIERCIIL INTELLIGENCE:

Money easy. Gold 591 per cent. premium. Ex.
change on London, 171.1.
Stocks very firm. New York Centrals 133,1;
Illinois, 1314 ; Erie, 1131.
Cotton.—Middling upland, 311. Petroleum
slightly firmer; crude, 304 31 ; refined, 48 49.
The steamers America and Edinburgh take out
850,000 doffs. in specie.

The Proposed Conference on the Dauo-

German Question.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

BERLIN, FEB. 24.

It is stated in diplomatic circles that the Conference
for the settlement of the Dano-German question
was proposed by England, with the concurrence of
France, and that the proposal was supported by
Russia.

Prussia and Austria, as already stated, have
accepted the Conference, to which a representa-
tive of the G?rmanic Diet will be invited.
The same Powers have refused, however, to
grant an armistice, and hostilities will not be dis-
continued during the Conference.

IMPERIAL F.

HOUSE OF COMMONS---Yesterday.
The SPEAKER took the chair shortly after 12 o'clock.
RENTS (IRELAND) BILL.

On the motion of Mr. LONGFIELD the order for the
second reading of this bill was discharged, with the under-
standing that the measure should be originated in the
House of Lords as previously,
LANDED PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT (IRE •
LAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

In consequence of tho absence of Irish members at the
assizes the second reading ,of the bill was postponed until
April 27,

MALT FOR CATTLE BILL:

On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Mr. BASS objected to the measure, and said
that its nature was not properly understood through-
out the country, and was regarded by the farmers
with great dissatisfaction. Ho denied that the Chancellor
of the Exchequer had made out a satisfactory case for this
bill. The right hon. gentleman said that the duty on beer
was 25 per cent.,but the farmers calculated that it amounted
to 75 per cent., and although he (the Chancellor of the
Exchequer) said that the duty on foreign wines which came
into competition with beer was from 50 to 100 per cent., he
(Mr. Bass) from information received from the highest
authorities on this subject in London was led to the con-
clusion that the duty on the foreign wines amounted to not
more than 27 per cent. He (Mr. Bass) therefore submitted
that this was a reasonable argument why the duty on beer
which the Chancellor of the Ex±equer said was 25 per
cent. should be reduced one half. (Hear, heat.)
He was convinced that the measure of the Chancellor of
the Exchequer would not prove satisfactory, in whatever
light it was regarded, and that the only remedy for the
grievance of which the right hon. gentleman complained
was to reduce the malt duty one half.
Mr. DU CANE said that, during the interval between the
present time and the second reading of the bill, he had com-
municated with his constituency (an agricultural one), who
were unanimous with regard to this measure, and their opi-
nion might be summed up in one word, namely, that the
more they looked at it the less they liked it. (Hear, hear.)
He considered that if anything was calculated to make malt-
sters rogues this bill would effectually do it, because it held
forth to them a premium for the adulteration of linseed.
Before concluding he would quote the words of a poet with
whom the right hon. gentleman (the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer was familiar :
Tiraeo Dannas et dons ferextes."

(Laughter.)
Colonel DICKSON, as the representative of an agricul-
tural constituency, said he had not heard one sound argu-
ment in favour of the bill, In reference to Ireland, to which
allusion had been made on a previous occasion, ho contended
that the causes to which the agricultural distress in that
country might be traced would be aggravated by this mea-
sure, which he felt bound to oppose.
Mr. P. URQUHART opposed.

Mr. BEACH supported the bill.
Mr. HENLEY considered that the bill would be quite
inoperative, and he protested against its being accepted
as an answer to the demand that was made for the reduc-
tion in the duty on malt.
Mr. DODSON said that the bill was introduced merely
as an experimental measure, and if it proved successful it
would no doubt lead to further facilities for the use of malt
as an article of food.

Mr. BUTTON approved going into committee, but at
the same time considered that the bill was encumbered with
difficulties, which were inevitable in dealing with this sub-
ject.

Mr BENTINCK was of opinion that unless:those portions
of the bill which provided for the visits of excisemen and
for separate houses for malting were withdrawn, the mea-
sure ought to be thrown out on the third reading. He
did not consider that the bill would satisfy the desire of
the public in reference to the malt duty.
Mr WALTER was not sanguine as to the success of the
bill, but he thought it should have a fair trial.
After some further discussion,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER defended
the bill. It was said that there was safety in a multi-
tude of counsellors, and the same might be as-
serted of the multitude of tha enemies to this
bill who were knocking their heads together as if to ascer—
tain which were the hardest, and he had no doubt in the
end justice would be done. (Laughter.) The right
hon. gentleman then combatted at length the arguments
against the bill, which were to the effect that it was inef-
ficient, a surrepititious method of getting rid of the desire
for the entire repeal of the duty on malt, that it was sur-
rounded with insuperable obstacles and was dangerons
with regard to revenue. As related to the latter, the
Government were responsible for the raising of the revenue
or the public service, and they could not consent to the
amendments that were on the paper. Re would be most
happy to release the farmer from excise restrictions, but by
doing so in this case he would be surrendering £3,000,000
revenue. The opinion of farmers was divided in reference
to this bill, and although it might not effect all the benefit
desirable, he contended that it would do much service,

The house then went into committee on the bill.

Sir E. BERING moved the following clause :—That it
shall be lawful for all persons engaged in agriculture to
malt barley (according to the provisions of the act) for the
consumption of their own stock, without taking out a
maltster's licence, but it was subsequently postponed.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he would move that the Chairman should now report pro-
gress, and he proposed to proceed with the committee 'text
Friday, but not at an hour that would bo inzonvenient.
The house then resumed.
INSANE PRISONE RS ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
The house adjourned at a quarter past 3 o'clock.

THE NATIONAL POLISH LEAGUE.—A general
meeting of the members of this league was held last
evening at the Whittington Club, Strand—Mr. Edmond
Beales in the chair. Mr. J. R. Taylor, the hon. secretary
read a mass of correspondence from all parts of the country'
breathing a spirit of sympathy for Poland, amongst other
letters from the Earl of Shaftesbury, and from 11. Datrone,
secretary to the Polish Central Committee in Paris. He
also reported the receipt of a large number of extensively
signed petitions in favour of the recegnition of the bellige-
rent rights of Poland, and that a great number were still in
circulation throughout the United Kingdom. When these
were all collected steps would be taken to get them pre-
sented to Parliament at a favourable opportunity. The usual
routine business of the league having been transacted, the
chairman said he desired to put the league in possession of
the latest authentic news he had received from Poland. It
would, of course, not be wise for him to enter into derails,
but he could state upon authority
that the insurrection
was now in a more hopeful state than it had been at any
Limo since its coulmencement. The whole nation—aristo-
cracy, middle classes, and the peasantry—were now united
as one man, and early in the spring a numerously and well
eqnipped Polish national arm./ would be in the field reedy
to take advantage of th-se, complications which must of
necessity arise in Europe during the next few months. An
outbreak in Italy and Hungary might be looked for at any
moment, and the Polish leaders
were watching events,
although not idle, as the telegrams would inform them. lie
hoped that before three months had passed ac;away the cause
of Polish nationality would be on.. the
.of its triumph.
(Loud cheers.) A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded
the meeting.
THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA i 2 said to be expected
in Berlin ere long.

ABOUT THE ENGLISH OF IT,

- ,jl.- -

From the Daily News of this morning we ex-
tract the following admirable comment on this
vaunted acceptance by Austria and Prussia of the
proposition of a Conference in London. Another
oxemplififlation of Lord Ruisell's delight in playing
his ff.vauri!e part of "Moonshine."—
, " When the Times of yesterday arrives at
Berlin and Vienna, the statesmen of Austria arid
Prussia will perceive how wise they were to reject
Lord Palmerston's proposal of an armistice. it is
plain now that they knew exactly the man with
whom they had to deal, and the event shows that
it would have been sheer waste of amiability to
grant that request when, at the price of the most
airy of concessions, and 'without pausing in their
iniquitous career, they could obtain the full reward.
of moderation and virtue. Their unjust invasion is
to be maintained, the butchery in Schleswig is to
go on, and the mere consent of Austria and Prussia
to send two diplomatists to talk about the affairs of
Denmark is accepted by Lord Palmerston as a pro of
that, after all, those Powers are righteous and juAt.
And not only so, but this notable compliance, it ap-
pears, is held to be a great triumph of British influ-
ence, one which is to silence the Patric and confound
the Charivari. Let us hope so. Meanwhile, we sup-
pose that there was some seriousness in the eloquence
with which Ministers have been denouncing the
' violent outrage' of Austria and Prussia; and let
it be noted that the discovery that those Towers
'recognise the principles that this country has up-
held,' and acknowledge themselves responsible to
English opinion in their acts, is made before t hey
have given the least sign that they are disposed to
desist from their flagitious course of action. The
case is a very simple one. The burglars are in pos-
session of every room in the house except the garret.
We have been lustily crying out Thieves ! Police !'
when suddenly it is announced with rapturous
delight as an immense gain and triumph, that at
onr earnest request the robbers have consented to
detach one of the gang to talk over the little affair
with us—the burglary to go on in the meantime.
Such is the state of things for whioh we are now
told we ought to be grateful ; and no doubt it well
becomes Ministers to be thankful for small mercies."

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE—This Day,

HUNQERFORD RACES--THIS DAY.
(Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
These races are postponed until to-morrow. The snow
wo inches deep.

RACING FIXTURES FOR 1864..

MA:
Nottingham Spring 1
Derby Spring 3
Liverpool
Shrewsbury
Doncaster Spring

AP.
Croxton- park 1
Edinburgh Spring 2
Aborgavcnny 5
Mira: 5 j

Warwick . . 16
Durham
Northampton 29
Cattcrick

'ItTL.

Chester
York Spring
Salisbury l2
Bath

Epsom Spring
Newmarket Craven ll
Newmarket First Spring 25

Ju
Ascot ..
Hampton
Newton
Odiham
Bibury
Stockbridge
:Ju
Newmarket July
Carlisle
Abingdon
Liverpool July
Stamford l4
Pontefract

-Aranchester
Harpenden
Epsom .... 24

Chelmsford 2B
New Forest Hunt 23
Newcastle-on-Tyne 28
Worcester (Summer)
Ipswich ..

'LY. :
I Nottingham
Winchester l9
I Southampton 2O
Chesterfield
I Goodwood