The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-18 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

A Berlin letter of the 15th says :—" The political
prospect, which appeared to be brightening a little,
has again become obscure and uncertain, and the
Ministerial crisis has recommenced. Yesterday
took place the first sitting of the council under the
presidentship of Prince de Hohenlohe, for the pur-
pose of drawing up the Ministerial programme.
But the divergences of opinion were so great that
Count Schwerin, M. de Patow, and M. d'Auerswald
gave in their resignations. It is believed that
the cause of difference was a demand for conces-
sions on the military question, which were op-
posed by M. de Roon, the Minister of War.
Rumour says that M. Bettman-Hollweg will be
succeeded in the Ministry of Public Instruction
by M. de Witzleben, superior president of the pro-
vince of Saxony. M. de Witzleben was formerly
attached to the Cabinet of the King when Prince of
Prussia; his conduct in the late elections exposed
him to many reproaches from the liberal press. The
fact is confirmed that the Emperor of Austria some
time age addressed an autograph letter to King
William on the affair of Electoral Hesse. In this
letter the Emperor endeavoured to win over the
King to the Austrian view of the matter; but Wil-
liam I. frankly replied that the Prussian troops
should enter Hesse if any disturbances took place,
or if the troops of any other country whatever inter.
fered in favour of the Hessian Government. It was
this letter which determined the Austrian Govern-
ment, in concert with Prussia, to present to the
Germanic Diet the proposition which is already
known. to the public. -

The Universal Gazette of Berlin publishes the
following as the electoral programme of the Con-
stitutional party :
"1. The King and the Constitution. 2. Abroad,
a national policy. On the German question the
creation of a Federative State with a German Par-
liament under the military, diplomatic, and po-
litico-commercial direction of Prussia. 3. At home,
a Liberal Government, sincerely constitutional, and
progress in the organic institutions. 4. Unity and
homogenity in the high functions of the State. 5.
The reform of the present organisation of the
Chamber of Nobles by constitutional means. 6.
The reorganisation of the army, combined with
every possible economy by means of furloughs, revi-
sion of the regulations relative to pensions, etc.
7. Equilibrium in the finances, and abolition of the
supplementary taxes."
A great number of signatures are attached to the
document.

A letter from Berlin, dated 16th inst., says :
" It is said that when the King presented Prince
Hobenlohe to the Ministry assembled in Council
he renewed the declaration that he intended to
maintain the programme of the wise and moderate
reforms of 1858. The nomination of Prince
Hohenlohe as President is variously commented
upon by the Berlin journals. The Liberal papers
say that the appointment will soon show what
position the Liberal party must assume towards
the Ministry. In the Upper House Prince Hohen-
lohe always voted with the Ministry. The Liberal
party have published their programme. They ask
fidelity to the" King and to the Constitution, a
frank policy of Prussia in the German question
on the basis of restricted union, a liberal Govern-
ment which will endeavour to give the necessary
development to the Constitution, unity in the admi-
nistration, a reform of the Upper House by Consti-
tutional measures, maintenance of the reorganisa-
tion of the army, with the introduction of economies
by furloughs, by the revision of the present system
of military pensions without weakening the efficiency
of the army or the defensive strength of the country,
a balance of the Budget by economical measures, by
putting the law on the land tax into execution, and
without having recourse to an increase of direct
taxation.

This programme concludes- as follows :—" It is
only if the Ministry gives proofs to the country, by
its acts, in its ensemble, by adopting the principles
professed above, that the undersigned consider it the
task and duty of the Constitutional party to support
the Government."

The programme is signed by most of the members
of the Liberal party.
" The Kreuz-Zeitung has just announced that the
three Liberal members of the Cabinet, M. von
Patow, Count Schwerin, and M. v. Bernuth, have
formally tendered their resignations. How the
new Ministry will be composed is uncertain. The
names of M. Selchow and M. Bismark-Schonhausen
are mentioned for the Interior, but it is not likely
that the latter would take office with Count Bern-
storff. It is reported that M. Gruner, Under-
Secretary of State, has also resigned."

The Cologne Gazette of the 17th inst. says
The Cabinet Council which was held the day
before yesterday, under the presidency of Prince
Hohenlohe, lasted from 11 till 3 o'clock. Half
an hour before it broke up the Ministers Von
Bernuth, Von Patow, Count Puckler, and Count
Schwerin left the hotel. Count Bernstorff, M. Vcn
der Heydt, and M. Von Roon, with Prince Hohen
lohe in the chair, continued the sitting."

It has been stated that for the privilege of pub-
lish ing an edition of 3,000 copies of Sir Bulwer Lytton's
new romance, " A Strange Story," the worthy baronet re-
ceives £1,500 from Messrs. Low and Co., the enterprising
publishers.
Since the last three or four days, owing to the
mildness of the weather, the gardens in the environs of
Paris present a most agreeable aspect, the apricot, almond,
and cherry trees being covered with their snowy blossom.
The 14th of March was ushered in at Turin by
salvos of artillery, to celebrate the birthday of King Victor
Emmanuel, and Prince Humbert, the heir apparent. The
King, on that day, entered his 43d year, and the Prince on
his 19th year,