The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-05 00:00:00

AUSTRIA.

A. letter from Vienna, of July 2, says : —ln poli-
tical oire'es it is still much the question of the recent
doings in Kiesingen and Carlsbad. AT Klssingen
the two Emperors were much together, and it was
often the question between them of the state of
things in Poland. The Emperor Alexander said
that no Power except Russia, Austria, and Prussia
had a right to meddle with Polish matters; and there
is reason to believe that the Emperor Francis
Joseph spoke in the same Boise. The Czar advised
his fellow-sovereign not to press King Christian of
Denmark too hardly, and at the same time sought
to obtain from him a promise that he in the
German Diet would support the claims of the Duke
of Oldenburg to the Duchies. The Russian states-
men and nobles were more reserved than their So-
vereign, and it soon became evident to the Aus-
trians that Prince Gorischakoff's feelings towards
them had undergone no change. The result of the
meeting of the two Emperors was satisfactory,
inasmuch as it served to improve their personal
relations ; but there is no reason to believe that
the entente between their Governments is more cor-
dial now than it was a month or six weeks ago
Count Rechberg went to Carlsbad with the inten-
tion of doing all in his power to induce M. von
Bismark to come to terms with Denmark; but,
being weak of purpose, he allowed himself to be
persuaded to continue the war. It is not likely that
the Prussian Minister obtained from his Austrian
colleague a promise to support the claims of tile
Duke of Oldenburg, but certain it is that the Aus-
trian Government has ceased to urge the German
Diet to pronounce in favour of his rival, the Duke of
Augustenburg. It is now proposed to refer the mat-
ter to an "Austregal Court" or to a Federal Court
of Arbitration, which means that M. von Bismark
wishes the question relative to the right of succession
to be kept in abeyance for a time. When the Em-
peror Francis Joseph went from this city to Kissin-
gen he was eery desirous to put an end to the war
with Denmark, but on his arrival in Carlsbad the
King of Prussia managed to persuade him that his
military honor : was at stake, and that it was his
duty as a German Sovereign to inflict further
punishment on the renitent Danes. At Carls-
bad, as at Kissingen, it was the question of Poland,
and it has been agreed between the parties to the
partition of that country that no foreign State
shall be allowed to interfere in behalf of the
Poles. No new conventi,in has been entered into
between the three Powers, "because the treaty
concluded at Munuhengratz in 1832 is still valid.'
The treaty in question bits never been published
but it is known to me that by it the Northern
Powers are bound to assist each other in maintain-
ing their political position and influence both at
home and abroad. While the Emperor and Count
Rechberg were at Carlsbad, arrangements were
made for the continuance of the war, but I
greatly doubt the correctness of the current report
relative to the approaching occupation of the island
of Runea by the Austrians. It is true that the two
large steamers which the Allies have hired ota Ham-
burg Company are now lying in the Kolding Fiord,
bat a well-informed military friend hasgiven me to
understand, that for the moment there is no ques-
tion of an attack being made on any of the Danish
islands. At Carlsbad M. von Bietnark proposed
that the German Confederation should be invited to
take part in the war against the common enemy ;
but Count Rechberg replied that the Danish ques-
tion could become even more dangerous titan it is
now if the whole of Germany should take the field
against Denmark.
If involved in the war, the Germans would be
difficult to manage, and it is not beyond the bounds
that some of them would turn their arms against
their unrighteous rulers. The great German Powers
being resolved that the Danes shall pay dearly for
their stubbornness, are about to levy contributions
in Jutland. Prince Hohenlohtelngelfingen is to act
as Prussian commissary in that province, and he less
been instructed to get as much as he can out of its
unfortunate inkabitents. When first Russia ceded
her claims on the Duchies to Oldenburg, the King
of Prussia loudly spoke in favour of the Duke of
Augustonburg, " but he was eoon brought to reason
by M, von Bismark, who now completely rules his
Royal Master." The person to whom I am in-
debted for the information contained in the last
sentence 'of the foregoing paragraph is one of
the leaders of the reactionary party in Austria,
and he very candidly told me that he and all
the men of his opinions greatly admired M.
von Bismark, " whose energy and statesmanship
are on a par." The gentleman in question said
that Count Red beck bad just the same political
instincts as M. von Bismark, but that he had not
the moral courage openly to display them. "We
live in the hope," said my very candid interlocutor,
" that M. von Bismark will soon put an end to the
constitutional regime in Prussia, and that the other
German Ministers will imitate his example." Such
a reactionary wind is blowing here just nhw, that
M. von Sohmerling is denounced as a "Progres-
siat,' but he hardly has more claim to that title
than had his rredeceesors, Count Goluehowski
and Baron Bach. The Constitution of his framing
is still extant; but hither it has led to no good,
as the lieges have the disadvantages of a constitu-
tional form of Government without its advantages.
The new State machinery is very complicated and
enormously expensive, but I am unable to perceive
that it works better than that which has been set
aside. When first the Reichsrath met it was hoped
and believed that it would steadfastly uphold tae
rights of the people; but during the last session it
became evident to all that the elect of the German
part of the Austrian nation were content to follow
the lead given by the Minister of State. In former
times it was no easy matter to get an Austrian
order, but during the last few years they have
been plentiful as blackberries. There are now
in the Reichsrath many supporters of the Go-
vornmeut who obtained the bit of riband which
they wear in the buttonhole of their coat by sacri-
ficing the political opinions which they originally
entertained, or rather professed to entertain. The
order usually given to such worthies is that of the
Iron Crown, Since it has become known to the
public that the paltry sum of 1,500,000 formes is to
be raised by means of lottery tickets at 10 farina
great depression has been felt, es there is a presen-
timent that the finances of the empire are going to
the bad. M. von Planer was opposed to the mea-
sure, but he was overruled by his colleagues, as they
wished to make themselves agreeable to the Ens
peror, who is desirous that the hospital named after
the Crown Prince, his son, saall be speedily finisheq.
The statesman who brought forward and carried
messure which has done incalceable injury to the
credit of Austria is M. von Lasser, the Minister of
Administration or of the Interior.