The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-14 00:00:00

proposal were made to relinquish the territories
under the sway of Bing WILLLIAM. The people
of Prussia, from the highest to the lowest, are just
now inflated with the idea of aggrandisement, and
it is not at all probable that in the first flush of sue.
cess they would give way or cede their own.
In all human probability France will eventually
become possessed of the Rhenish provinces, but not
just yet. Herr vox Bisulns has no doubt gone
to France to smooth matters and pave the way
for future plans, or else if he sees any great aversion
exhibited to his proposals, to draw back in time and
avoid provoking wrath he may not be able to with-
stand.

Many persons affirm that the leave of France is
sought for to annex the Duchies altogether to the
rule of Prussia and Austria, and although this is
stoutly denied by others, no doubt there is much

truth in it. Although nominally settled for the
time being, in case of a very strong opposition, there
might be some changes introduced which might

materially alter the complexion of things. It would
indeed be a very dangerous game for Herr VON
BISMARK to play to endeavour to put Austria alto-
gether out of possession,Tand to induce France to
consent to any terms. Such an arrangement would

be a •ery suicidal one, because Austria is the natural

ally of Prussia, and can be of great service to her
both in peace and war. If the project is carried
out of buying off the claims, real or imaginary, of
the Vienna Cabinet, there will still lurk in the back-
ground an irritated feeling and a latent bitterness
that it will take long to suppress. All surmises as
yet can be but vague and indefinite, although this
visit to Biarritz is one of such great importance and
so significant at the present juncture that it is not
to be wondered at that many different reasons are
assigned for it. Meanwhile the Prussian Go-
vernment is doing its utmost to consolidate
its rule in Schleswig, and is ingeniously
contriving matters so that, directly or indirectly,
it may be an acknowledged theory that the King of
Prussia is the virtual ruler in that province. All
the internal arrangements are gradually becoming
altered, and every effort is being made to increase
the accommodation and develope the resources of the
Duchy. We doubt, in a material point of view, the
introduction of Prussian rule in the place will so far
be an advantage, altliough nothing can in reality
compensate for the loss of liberty and the complete
absorption of all individuality as a race, and inde-
pendence as a people, which will inevitably ensue if

the schemes of the Berlin Government are carried
out to a successful issue.

Whatever else may impede the progress of Herr
vox BISMARK'S policy, it is very certain that no
very formidable obstacle will be interposed by the
smaller States of Germany. These are too busy
squabbling among themselves, and too intent on
their own individual notions of aggrandisement,

that very little of a practical nature will be done.
No doubt the plans of the scheming Minister are

'ormed with all the more hardihood on account of

this want of unity among the several States who
interfere with his projects, but are powerless to do
so effectually. The Assembly of Deputies at
Frankfort was a decided failure, for there is
no end to the variety of plans and confusion
of purposes now set forth. Of course, out of
this melee the crafty Minister, who rules both the
KING and the Government of Prussia, can draw his
own advantage, and while secretly deriding their
pretensions fulfil his own designs, surely if slowly,
and steadfastly if with caution. An effective speech
was made:by M. BAUM, the Nassau deputy, against
the proposal made for a closer affiance of the secon-
dary States. He denounced it in strong terms, and
said that the idea was identical with the former
scheme of the " Confederation of the Rhine,"
which had already in other days involved such mis-
chief. It was a " tool of corruption" in the hands
of foreigners, which had led " thousands of their

fathers and forefathers to the battle fields of
Europe in French pay, and for French interests,"-
to the disgrace of the German name, and enslave-
ment of their countrymen." The fact is that no
progress can be made in Germany while there is so
much diversity of opinion and so little evidence of
public spirit among the people. We hear an im-
mense deal about unanimity, but there is hardly
any in reality, and the interminable jealousies
that exist in all directions pave the way for the
success of an adroit manoeuvre like Herr VON BIS-
MARK, who is indefatigable in the pursuance of his
projects, while his opponents of a smaller rank
waste their energies in talking, and never concen-
trate them in any definite plan of action. The
policy of Prussia at present is one that is a
disgrace to all at home or abroad, whether
friends or allies; but it is a very daring
one, and can only be carried on by the
greatest assurance and audacity ; and in these re-
spects Herr VON BISMARK is certainly not wanting,
for he is ready for everything, and always eager for
action, whether he seeks to annex a province, face a
hostile Chamber of Deputies, or travel off post
haste to arrange the preliminaries for a Congress.