The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-12 00:00:00

GERMANY.

Accounts from Vienna, of the 6th, state that the
Deputies of the German Governments, who were
to deliberate on the question of the formation of a
Customs Union, met on the preceding day. They
were received by the President of the Council, Prince
Schwarzenberg; the Minister of Finance and Com-
merce, Baumgartner ; the Minister Counsellor,
De Kock ; and Baron Thierry. The following
States were represented at this Congress :
Bavaria, by Count Lerschenfeld, Koefering, Dr.
Herman ; Saxony, Baron Kceneritz ; Hanover,
M. Albrecher ; Wurtemburgh, Baron de Linden ;
Baden, Baron de Audlaw ; Electoral Hesse, Baron
de Schaten ; Ducal Hess; Baron de Brcechenfelt ;
Brunswick, Baron de Zedlits ; Oldenburg, M. de
Phillippsburg ; Frankfort, M. Koester ; Bremen,
Lubeck, and Hamburgh, M. de Graffen.
Prince SCHWAB ZENBER(S addressed the Congress as
follows :

" The Emperor, my master, has charged me to ex-
press to you, gentlemen, his acknowledgments for the
zeal with which your Governments have responded to
the invitations which ho addressed to them. Yon are
already aware of the object of the Austrian
Government by the circular which was addressed to
your Governments on the 25th of November last. This
object is to deliberate on a future treaty to effect the
commercial and customs union of Germany with Austria.
"At this moment certain minds are occupied with
the idea that besides the intention expressed, there ex-
ists another which is concealed, or at least that the
realization of our viows would put in her srd the existing
commercial and customs union. While I declare that
this inquietude is unfounded, I regret much that all the
members of the Confederation are not represented here,
for I could convince them of the nature of the negotia-
tions, theircommon utility, and the possibility of agreeing
to them."

The PRINCE then pressed upon the Assembly that
a conviction on their minds of the utility of the plans
about which they were to deliberate would soon pro-
duce general satisfaction. He then went on as
follows :

"Tho more the present deliberations prove our inten-
tions the more the Imperial Government will consider
that you will grant your cordial co-operation
in
bringing this affair to a good end. Tho success of the
enterprise depends on the durable satisfaction given
to the desires and wants of the German people,
as well as to the unity and power of the Germanic Con-
federation, and consequently to the true wellbeing of
Germany, to which Austria is so intimately allied.
There are difficulties in the way, but experience proves
that those difficulties are notlinsurmountable; and we
find in the Zollverein founded by Prussia, and the treaty
concluded on the 7th of September between Hanover
and Prussia, instructive examples, that prove, not only
the possibility, but also the moans of overcoming ob-
stacles which are in reality only groat in appearance.
66 The difference which exists between the position of
Austria and the other German states, which, until now,
have formed part of the Z Alverein, is less marked, and
of few er difficulties to the realisation of a customs and
commercial union than the contrasts which have existed,
and now exist, between the respective members of the
Zollverein. Nevertheless, a determined will and a loyal
and firm spirit have established this community, end
serves to maintain it by i perseverance and mutual con-
cessions. Thus a commercial and customs union more
extended between Germany and Austria could not only
be established iu the same manner, but even more easily..
seeing that the whole extent of the territory favours the
conclusion of this union, elevating its utility and limiting
as much as possible the obstacles iccident to it, an
which present themselves even in the best systems of
customs.

"If the foundation of.such a union is considered desir-
able, and even indispewable for the general good, and also
realisable, it could not be effected at a more favourable
moment than the present. The want of this union is
generally felt and proclaimed in political writings and
treatises as the final object of all commercial politics. It
has become possible for Austria, after the prepara-
tions which she has made for a long time,
to adopt the Faun 00191CIS qstera fa Yibium

the greater part of Germany has already
pronounced. The treaty of the 7th of 6eptember proves
in the most convincing manner that the distance which
separates the literal north-west from the rest of Ger-
m'sny may be annihilated.
" In fine, the approaching expiry of the treaty of the
Zollverein inspires well-fou❑ded fears for its continuance,
considering the known sentiments of its members; and
this offers a favourable opportunity to introduce modifica-
tions by which an advantageous and permanent exten-
sion of the territory of the union may be realised. If we
profit by these favourable circumstances—if the difficul-
ties, arising less from facts and from real wants than
from theoretical views, are examined with calmness and
impartiality by chosen men—and if they commence by
regarding as a guiding principle that all sudden and vio-
lent transitions and all precipitation ought to be avoided
—and if, in despite of the union, they admitcertain special
conditions depending on local circumstances, smoothing
insensibly away certain inequalities in periods to be fixed
beforehand, end taking care of all interests, this union
may be safely effected. In fine, every member, by practis-
ing self-denial, and looking only to the grand and com-
mon object in view, and contrasting it with the trifling
sacrifices it will he required to make, will feel without
doubt that our efforts will produce abundant fruit, to
which your counsels, gentlemen, will powerfully con-
tribute."

The Prince then dwelt on the advantageous po-
sition and vast resources of the Austrian empire,
saying that she was willing to tmice the necessary
sacrifices on her part. The Austrian Cabinet de-
sired to base their projects on the treaty draw❑ up
at Dresden and revised at Frankfort ; and the Prince
dwelt at great length on the benefits that must arise
from that treaty, to which no objection could be
off-red. He did not expect that any treaty of an
effective nature could be drawn up by the preaent
limited assembly, and all they could do was to ex-
change ideas on the subject, in order to arrive at
such conclusions as would lead to a treaty acceptable
to all the German Governments. He concluded by
saying :

" The negotiations to which the Prussian Govern-
ment has invited the states of Germany, with the avowed
object of renewing the treaty of union, offers the occa-
sion of bringing this project to a realisation. Let us
commence, then. gentlemen, our labour with confidence
and courage. Whatever may be the result, you will
enjoy the conviction that our efforts, if they are guided
by a spirit of union, will not have been fruitless. The
good and the useful, offered in an acceptable manner—
which is the earnest wish of the Emperor—and worked
out with perseverance and by the light of knowledge,
are always entitled to gratitude."
The Count DE LERSCHRNFELDT' Plenipotentiary of
Bavaria, replied to the PRINCE by saying that the
Assembly, in whose name he ventured to speak, felt
grateful to the Imperial Government for the opening
that it had made in this important matter, and hoped
that they would be able to effect a permanent corn•
mercial and customs union between Germany and
Austria; there were difficulties in the way, but so
there were in every great work, and they hoped to
clear those difficulties away, however great they
might be.

The deliberations will begin in a few days.
Accounts from Berlin of the 9th mention the con-
centration of a large Russian army on the frontiers of
the duchy of Posen.
The dissensions between the Governments of Prussia
and Austria, in all that relates to the German question,
have brought the proceedings of the Frankfort Diet to
a stand-still. The publication of the protocols of the
Diet is suspended.