The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-14 00:00:00

THE lONIAN ISLANDS.

We take the following letter from the Levant
Herald:—

Conn:, Nov. 16.

Nothing has occurred of any importance since my last
communication, except the journey to England of the Secre-
tary of the Lord High Commissioner, at the request of the
Home Government, to afford any explanations as to what
had taken place between the lonian Assembly and the Lord
High Commissioner which might be required, and the pro-
rogation of the Legislative Assembly f.r six months, doubt.
less much to the surprise of many of its members.
All here are anxious to know the decision as to the
fortresses, the possessi n of which in their present condition
in the hands of a weak State will, lit is believed, be warmly
opposed by Austria and Turkey. It is clear that fortifica-
tions which would require 10,000 British and at least 15,000
of any other troops to man them might be useless in the
hands of the Greeks. In fact, they could only serve the
purpose of any strong Power whose views would be suited
by seizing them in case of need.

The argument that a saving will be effected by Great
Britain by the cession is most fallacious; but, on the con-
trary, she will be a loser. The lonian Government pays
£25,000 a year for military protection. This sum has lat-
terly been regularly paid. Formerly it was allowed to get
into arrear, and the debt of £90,000 on this head has been
magnanimously presented to Greece by Mr. Gladstone, and
thus falls on the British taxpayer. This £25,000 a year
will be lost. The simple question is, did the staff establish-
ment here cost anything like that sum ? It is estimated to
'istft. about £2,000 a year, that being the extra expense or
loos Great enoebetween staff and half- pay ; this shows a clear
I am ineli
hereat Britain of £23,000 a year, at least, to say no-
thing of the
oipital sunk in the fortresses. Will Great Bri-
tain reducearmy because she gives up these islands ?
sufficientr,e(j. „ toua think not. One regiment would have been
was for her owlei islands ; and if England kept four here it
elsewhere,
as a healthy station, and they
will be sent
Government reabat4a7re, and the sum paid by the lonian
all that was absolutely necessary
for their internal pro4:l
it is presumed, be Reuttn. The regiments now here will,
the Malta and Gibraltar, but cer-
tainly not struck out of
even will not be saved,
that this saving of £2,000 EtyA•earraY List. Many maintain
but a trifiinogn.fillnlonliktheethoits to
hR"
ing words England is not worth spend-
tYhe:veill necessitate a
lishment of the old system oilt-arir,atehe probable re-estab-
notue..wanluch will
themselves
to protect
ber of
frequent before the British took possession, were so
gßrt
elatitBer
i nen°cumumrl rasonmu Ida the
theh jeflabeillagt Coast,
whiche from plun-
deringa
increase
th eiml recommence,ucetuenast thhaesubaettclorileloOf gAriebaatneiranbayhath% r 4, (3(1 and
in wealth and prosperity in the islands.
It is calculated that about 70 of the best boils
es, at an
average rent of £7 10s. a month, will become vacant, which
represents a capital of a million of dollars, say £0,300 a3,ear
to the house proprietors.

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TEE PROPOSED CONGRESS.

The following is the answer of the King of the
Greeks to the French proposal of a Congress ,

Athens, Nov. 2G,

Monsieur mon Fthe,—l have been highly gratified by
the invitation which your Majesty has been pleased to send
me in your letter of the 4th inst. to take part in a Congress
of Sovereigns to be opened at Paris, with a view to placing
the political edifice of Europe on new and more solid bases,
and thus to prevent commotions which might endanger the
general peace.
This appeal to conciliation which your Majesty has just
made in the interest of European order has been inspired by
views too generous and too elevated not to find in me the
most sympathetic reception.
The noble thought which predominates therein could not
be better enhanced than by the frank language and the ju-
dicious considerations with which your Majesty has accom-
panied your proposition.
In accepting it without reserve, I fully share the hopes
which I find expressed in your Imperial Majesty's letter.
The meeting of the Congress will perhaps be the best solu-
tion of the grave questions which justly preoccupy all minds
in Europe, and will contribute to develope the general pro-
sperity by the maintenance of tranquillity. Every one feels
indeed, that it is necessary to take into account the spirit of
the age, the political aspirations of nations, the circum-
stances of the time, and to endeavour by all possible means
to secure the future by regulating the present so as to eli-
minate every element of trouble and discord.
The common work to which your Majesty invites the
chiefs of the European States would be, beyond doubt, one
of the greatest onward movements of our day. Its success
would realise wishes long since formed by the friends of
humanity and the noblest minds.
In congratulating your Majesty:on the glorious initiative
you have just taken, I sincerely wish that your proposition
may be as favourably received by the other Sovereigns,
and I flatter myself with the hope that the interests and
rights of the Christians in the East will find in your Ma-
jesty a generous defender in the future International
Council.

It is with these sentiments that I earnestly offer to your
Majesty the renewed assurances of the high esteem and the
inviolable friendship with which I am, Monsieur mon Frere,
your Imperial Majesty's good brother,

GEORGE.
(Countersigned) P. DELYANNI.
The following is the reply of the Germanic Con-
ederation

Sire,—The invitation to a Congress which your Majesty
addressed on the 4th of November last to the Sovereign
Princes and free cities of Germany is considered by the
Germanic Confederation as a proof of your Majesty's senti-
ments of friendship, and of your desire to assure to Europe
the benefits of peace.

Called upon by its fundamental treaties to be principally
directed by pacific views, the Germanic Confederation could
not refuse its consent to a project tending to assure the
peace and order of Europe.
Although frankly adhering to the pacific idea of your
Majesty, the Sovereign Prince and free cities of Germany
could not concur with a hope of success, in the realisation
of this project, unless the treaties which established the
Germanic Confederation as well as the political edifice of
Europe were considered as the basis of the negotiations.
Without ignoring that even the most solemnly concluded
treaties cannot remain unaltered in the midst of the irresis-
tible course of history, a pacific policy could not disavow
the principle that no modification or cancelling of a treaty
call be effected without the consent of the parties interested.
It is this principle which will point out the rule of duties,
the title of rights, and the curb of pretensions which, with
so just and penetrating [an eye, your Majesty has deemed
necessary to tranquillise Europe.
This basis for negotiation once adopted, it will be possi-
ble to designate beforehand, with the consent of the parties
interested, the international questions which the Congress
will undertake to regulate, and afford to Europe the assur-
ance that, far from being the source of fresh differences, it
will put an end to those which exist.

In conformity with these views, the Germanic Confede •
ration will be disposed to respond to your Majesty's invita-
tion, and take part in the Congress, by causing himself to be
represented by a special Plenipotentiary, 'who will be there
with those members of the Germanic Confederation invited
by your Majesty. The Sovereign Prince and free cities of
Germany cherish the hope that your Majesty will be good
enough to see that these frank explanations are a proof of
their sentiments of friendship, of the care they have devoted
to the consideration of the step taken by your Majesty, and
of their desire that this step may be fruitful in happy re-
sults. Hereupon the Sovereign Princes and free cities of
Germany pray God to have you in his just and holy keeping.

. .
The Germanic Confederation, and in its name,
The Austrian Minister, President of the Diet,

BARON VON KUBECK♦
Frankfort.on-the-Maine, Dec. 7, 1863.
The following is the reply of the King of Den-
mark :

"Monsieur mon FrZre,—During the few days that I have
occupied the throne of Denmark I have been enabled to take
two resolutions of high importance for the destinies of my
country. Providence has in a sad and unexpected manner
terminated the career of my august predecessor at the very
mcment when the nation expected him to sanction by his
signature the new Constitution for the common affairs of his
non• German provinces, and to accept the invitation of your
Imperial Majesty to attend a Congress. It has fallen to my
lot to accomplish this double task. Happening at the same
critical moment for the welfare of my people, those two de-
cisions tend to the same end, for it only settles the present,
the other will, I hope, assure the future of the Danish
Monarchy. Your Majesty has taken the glorious initiative
of substituting decrees of justice and of reason, instead of
an appeal to arms, to settle the questions actually pending
in Europe.
Denmark, which has always been the constant ally of
the Emperor, is resolved, frankly and without reserve, to
associate itself to the generous endeavours of your Majesty
to realise that great idea. I accept, therefore, with real
pleasure, your Majesty's invitation to attend a European
Congress. lam not yet sure whether circumstances will
allow me to attend in person, but I beg your Majesty to
believe that it would give me the greatest pleasure to enjoy
once more your cordial hospitality, and to express to you
viva coca my warm and sincere congratulations, as I had
the honour to do on a former occasion.

I congratulate myself that the relations which I shall
have the honour of entertaining with your Majesty open
under auspices of that great inspiration, and I eagerly take
advantage of this opportunity to offer to you the assurance
of my high esteem and unchangeable friendship.
I am, Monsieur mon frere, of your imperial Majesty le
bon fa:re, CHRISTIAN,
Copenhagen, Nov. 20.