The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-26 00:00:00

at the police station to the effect that circumstances
had arisen which led to the belief that, the second
offender had been since the occurrence, and was
still, an inmate of the Royal Artillery Respite!.
This was scarcely believed to be probehle, inueuinch
that it had been repotted to the police authorities
that the soldier implicated with Maguire had been
an inmate of the hospital, which he !all: and
immediately deserted from the regiment to avoid the
charge hanging over him. The accused party was,
however, immediately recognised by the witnesses
in the case, and being perfectly convalescent was
apprehended, and with the prisoner Maguire placed
at the bar of the Woolwich Police-court before Mr.
Traill, charged with the manslaughter of Harrison.
The same evidence was given as at the previous
examination of Maguire at the police-court, and the
depositions of the several witnesses having been
formally taken, both prisoners were fully committed
for trial at the Old Bailey Session.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS,

TIMES.—In refusing to suspend their operations

against Schleswig the Prussian and Austrian Go-
vernments have chosen a part which will excite

more regret than surprise in Europe. If it be now
likely that blood will be shed, in spite of the con-
cessions of Denmark and the remonstrances of neu-

tral States, it must be remembered that the two
leading Powers of Germany have gone so far, and
compromised themselves so much in the quarrel,
that they may naturally think themselves bound to
mako some display in the presence of the nation
they profess to lead, and the enemy which is pre-
paring to oppose them. The Governments of Berlin
and Vienna have in their late acts mortified ex-

ceedingly the pride of the minor States by over-
riding their schemes, and they have also fallen in
favour with the German nation generally by the
slighting way in which they have received the
adverse vote of th© Federal Diet. The temper
in which the acts of the two Governments are
received by their subjects may be judged by the
proceedings in their respective Legislatures. The
Chamber of Deputies at Vienna is the scene of a
discussion directly censuring the Emperor's policy.
A considerable number of the most important
members, we are told, support a resolution to
the effect that the Chamber cannot consider the

measures taken by the Government in reference to
Schleswig as in conformity with the general interests
of Austria, or as calculated to insure peace in Europe.
The Chamber will, therefore—so runs the resolu-
tion—be compelled to decline any responsibility for
the consequences which may follow the acts of the
Government. Still more important news arrives from
Berlin. The Chamber of Deputies ordered the
Committee on the Budget to report on the vote on
the Budget given by the Upper House. The Com-
mittee made its report, and proposed that the vote
of the Upper House should be declared null and
void. The Chamber of Deputies adopted the report,
and Count Eulenburg at onco read a Royal Mes-
sage, stating that the Diet would be closed yester-
day by the President of the Council. Such is the
position of the two Governments towards their awn
enbjects ; such are the obstacles to any fair and
temperate policy which the chief German Sove-
reigns have to encounter. It is hardly, then, a mat-
ter for surprise that they have not been able to
yield to their own better judgment, and refrain
from threatening an act of war against the Danish
Crown. They have been urged on by the loudest and
most general clamour that has ever proceeded frcas
a European nation in our time. The two Sove-
reigns, though of a firmness which reaches to obsti-
nacy, and though served by Ministers who value
princely favour more than popular applause, are un-
able to have their own way, even when they are,
for once in their lives, supported by the opinion of
neighbouring nations, and are only acting in ac-
cordance v, ith the requests of allied Governments.
But if the conduct of the two Governments be intel-

ligible, and, to a certain degree, excusable, the con
sequences are not the lees likely to be lamentable
The Danish Government, which has carried comes.
sion to a point that has offended its own people
almost as much as the Prussian and Austrian Courts
have offended the enthusiasm of their own country,
is now threatened with an immediate attack. It
yielded the Patent of the 3012 of March; the answer
to this was the revolution of Holstein. It yielded the
Constitution of November, merely asking a delay
sufficient to perform a public national act in a con-
stitutional manner; and the answer is that not an
hour will be given. In such a case there is but one
course for the King to take. His honour, his Crown,
probably his personal safety depend on his making
the bravest possible resistance to an unrighteous in-
vasion. After having given up so much, he and his
subjects find that the Germans are so bent on wrest-
ing both Duchies from them that concession rather
disappoints them than otherwise. The consequences
may be late' to the peace of Europe. The Prusso-
Austrians declare they will not delay the seizure of
Schleswig; the King, acting at the direct request
of the Rigsraad, declares that the province dial! be
defended. We must, then, prepare for an obsti-
nate contest as soon as the invaders pass the Eider.
This event is the more to be deplored as there was a
general expectation till within the last twenty-four
hours that peace might be preserved. The Cabinet
met on Saturday, and it was then, we believe, a
subject of congratu:ation that the labours of the
British Government were likely to be crowned with
success. Denmark had done all that Lord Wode-
house recommended during his mission, and had
offered to confirm it in the moat solemn manner by a
Legislative vote. Our Government, which, to satisfy
the utmost demands of the two German States, had
advised the withdrawal of that part of the Con-
stitution which relates to Schleswig, had apparent
reason to believe that Prussia and Austria would
be content with the exaction of all they ever asked
and more thin they had any right to expect after
the proceedings of the Prince of Augustenburg.
But events have proved that the two Powers are
not yet strong enough to be just. They have, in
spite, we believe, of the opinion of all the parties
to the Treaty of 1852, determined upon entering a
province with which they have no concern, except
such as is based on a vague claim of protection. They
have announced that no concession, however com-
plete, will prevent them from doing an act which
has been solemnly condemned by Europe—the sei-
zure of territory as a material guarantee for the ful-
filment of alleged stipulations. This was the fault
of Russia in 1853, and the unanimity with which the
Czar's conduct was reprobated should be a warning
to the Powers which are now following in his steps.
Neither of the two can gain anything by letting loose
again the spirit of war in Europe. As for Austria, she
is beset with enemies. Italy with 200,000 men is
ever ready to fly at the Venetian province.
Hungary still gives from time to time a convul-
sive heave, which shows that the national life is
not yet extinct. Does the Emperor of Austria
want any more foes ? Does he wish to give an
opportunity to ambit ious rivals, and to alienate the
few friends he has left ? If so, let him show himself
to the world as sending his many-nationed regi-
ments half across Europe to attack a little kingdom
on the ground of violated nationality. In doing this
he will have deserted completely the Conservative
policy and the strictness in upholding existing
rights:which are traditional with his house. Prussia,
too, may well consider before she raises such dis-
cussions as will follow an attack on the Danish
army. If that army only defends its positions with
the courage and skill which it has displayed on
former occasions, the position of the invaders will
be most invidious. Sympathy for a nation strug-
gling against odds is one of the most powerful of
political motives, and may create an excitement
which only ammo disaster to Germany can calm.
We have reasoned on the supposition that Prussia
and Austria, urged on by the German patriots re-
fuse to listen to the remonstrances which will be
offered anew by the chief European Powers. We trust
it will be found possible to unite France, Russia, and
Sweden with Great Britain in a pressing request
that the two Powers will refrain from attacking the
Danish positions at the Dannewerk. If the collision
can be delayed for a time, there may be still hope of
avoiding war. In favour of this chance it may be said
that the thaw and the activity of the Danish general
have given the defenders so many advantagee that it
is unlikely any prudent commander will attack them
without a very considerable preponderacce of force.
This preponderance can only be obtained after the
lapse of some little time. The Prussians and Austrians
are only just making their way to the scene of action,
and some time longer must be necessary for the tran-
sport of supplies and munitions of war. With the
telegraph and railway the European Governments
can communicate with each other,and,resolve on com-
mon action before the Prussians and Austrians have
carried their aggression to the length of shedding
blood. No means should be neglected to prevent
so great a calamity. It may be that the two
Powers are not indisposed, atter all, to come to
terms, and that, having maintained their dignity by
refusing delay to Denmark, they may be willing to
acquiesce in it when it is urged by European
opinion. In that case things may still go well; but
it is evident that a single false step at this crisis
may lead to very serious events.
POST.—The news which we published yesterday
of the refusal of Austria and Prussia to delay the
advance of their troops upon Schleswig is of the
most vital interest, and threatens to lead to conse-
quences of which it is impossible to exaggerate the
importance. The English Government is making
the most energetic endeavours to prevent the Ger-
mans from prosecuting the desperate policy on
which they appear to be bent. The best means to
effect the desired result would be an alliance to
Secure the integrity of Denmark between England,