The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-18 00:00:00

FRAN CE.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Chronicle
writes :—ln my letter of yesterday I sent you an
extract from the letter of a correspondent, who
represents the attitude of Austria as still very
doubtful, and that that Power has determined
not to go any further
against Russia than is to be
implied from its persisting in maintaining a neu-
tral attitude. I have since learnt that this is not
the feeling of the French Government. The im-
pression at head-quarters here is, that Austria has
now not only come fairly and honestly over to
the side of the Western Power 3, but that there
is every probability that within the next fort-
night we shall have the news that she has declared
war against Russia. The attitude of Prussia is
not quite so satisfactory, but great confidence
is felt that that Power will also follow the ex-
ample of Austria. M. de Manteuffel is said to be
firmer, and more determined in his adhesion to the
alliance, than is supposed in some quarters; and lie
is now more secure thAn ever in his post as Minister
of Foreign Affairs. The French Government has
no longer any uneasiness as to the resolution which
the Prussian Government will ultimately adopt.
It has never yet attempted to get rid of its engage-
ments hitherto; and notwithstanding some evident
tergiversations in the mind of the King, nothing
has occurred to show that it has ever contemplated
the idea of shaking them off.
On the same subject the Times Paris correspondent
says :—Accordihg to the most trustworthy accounts
nothing can be more 'satisfactory than the attitude
of Austria in the present critical state of affairs
between Russia and the Western Powers. Any
doubts that may have hung over tue policy of that
Power, or any suspicions that may have been to
the latest moment entertained as to the sincerity
of her adherence to the policy of France and Eng- '
land, or hor willitiguen to act when the proper

time for action should arrive, appea4. •
dissipated ; and even by those whose
endured to the last it is now averred t117,;',
is acting at this moment -as becomes a great,
Power desirous of throwing off the tutelage of
Russia, and of sustaining its independence. In-
deed, unless the blackest treason be contemplated,
the assurances given by the Cabinet of Vienna;
and partis.ularly by the young and high spirited
Emperor, leave us little to desire, and there
is reason to believe that the cry of Five r Ath"
triche will soon be associated in the cotnplimen‘
tary phrases exchanged between France and Enr
land. You are already aware that M. (now Baron)
von Hubner has returned to Paris. after his slier°
visit to Vienna. With all the caution which chars°.
terises every one connected with Austrian diploma*
and the mystery which covers its proceedings, it is
nevertheless known that the explanations given bYt
that Minister are suchas to justify the most
generally confide°,
hopes ; and a person who is
on these matters has this day declared it as 111
opinion that, before the lapse of a fortnight, a JON A'
rupture will take placa between Austria and Russia'
For the honour of Austria it must also be said that
if a change for the better be observable in the Bet"
lin Cabinet, it is principally owing to the pressure
exercised upon it by that power. She has very
recently remonstrated with Prussia in ter •s
neither the Cabinet nor the King could disregard'
She has reminded Prussia of what she appeared to
forget, namely, that she was a party to the solemn
acts which bound the four Powers to a commie°
policy, and declared that she would consider the
conduct she had given some indications of pursuing
to be in total contradiction to these engagements ;
that they signified nothing more or less than a re-
fusal to execute those pledges, and that the 110°-
realization of them would be regarded by Austria 0
an act against herself. Austria has declared bet
readiness to act with the Western Powers, but before
advancing she insisted upon knowing the court
which Prussia proposed to follow, while she hersell
was engaged. Such, lam assured, is, in substance
the language. employed by Austria. The answer
of Prussia is said to be satisfactory, and the conr
munication which, as I mentioned yesterday, w°s
received by the French Government, announces
such to be the case. The result is, that though
Prussia may be as earnest and as zealous 1°
the cause as desirable, yet much satisfaction is el-
pressed at the change which is said to have conle
over her councils ; and, if matters progress in the
same favourable way, we may soon expect to sel
the Emperor Nicholas hemmed in by a circle
enemies. As it is, his position is bad enough ; vib°
will it be when his dearest friend is forced by a'
cumstances, if not induced by goodwill, to destroy
the only chance he had of making a diversion in his
favour.
The French seem to be quite aware of the right
plans for shipping troops speedily, as witness the
following statemen t from the 31 alta Mail of May
'The French Government have become the owrieL.:
by
_purchase of the three steam-ships lately in this
harbour, the Golden Fleece, the Emu, and the Xely
garoo, and they will change owners as soon as thc
contract for which they are hired to the English
Government has expired. Built in the hope of
obtaining the contract for the line to Australia, these
fine ships were, as it were, on the offers being de-
clined, thrown on the hands of the company, who'
having no other object in view in which they cool`
employ vessels of their size and speed, came to th°
resolution of accepting the offers made, and by
which, we believe, they have realised a profit that
may solace them for the loss of the Australian oo°-
tract. It is matter of regret, however, that those
ships have not become the property of the British
Government rather than that of any other iu the
world, however fiiendly soever it be."
The interest on Treasury Bonds is fixed, after the
18th of May, at 3-i per cent. for bonds of three to
five mouths, at 4 per cent. of six to eleven mouths,
and at 4i per cent. of twelve months.
The Three per Cent's. opened yesterday at 66f. 95,_°1
and closed at 67f. 80c. for the end of the month
the Four-and-a-Halt per Cents. closed at 93f. 90°',
and the New Loan at 67f.; Orleans Railway Shares,'
1,107 f. 50c.; Rouen, 910 f. ; Havre, 460 f. ; Gre°"
Northern, 795 f. ; trasburg, 745 f. ; New shares,
582 f. 50c. ; Paris and Lyons, 897 f. 50c. ; Lyre°
to the Mediterranean, 740 f. ; Western of Franc',
615 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 560 f. ; Great Centre;
of France, 482 f. 50c. • Lyons to Geneva, 4711'
25c. ; Bank of Credit Mobilier, 607 f. 50c.

AUSTRIA.
The Austrian Government has published an 91
count of the receips of the Treasury for 1853. -1-
shows a falling off of 56,000,000 of florins.

PRUSSIA.
The negotiations with Russia for a treaty of
commerce, have completely failed. All that haS
been agreed upon is, to give facilities to commerce
on the frontiers.

Severid of the Berlin journals state that at
Backeburg, in the principality of Schauenburg;
Lippe, some Prussiansubjects have been condemneu
by the tribunal of correctional police to rather
lon imprisonment, for having been present at
religious meeting presided over by an anabapti"
missionary.
The German Journal of Frankfort states from
Berlin that there is no foundation for the assertio.n
of the Cologne Gazette, that the King of Pruasg"
has, on the application of the Prince of Prusailif
deprived him of his military functions.
The same journal says there is a rumour I:3
Berlin that the German powers propose to send a 1
t
" army of pacification" to Greece instead of the
intervention proposed by France and England. f
We learn from another source that the Prince
Prussia has been prevailed on, at the especial ret:
quest of the King, to return to Berlin on the V;
of June, the anniversary of the death of the'
father, a day always observed by the royal famiil