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 he
firmer, and more determined in his adhesion to the
alliance, than is supposed in some quarters • and he
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-
dients hitherto; and notwithstanding some evident
tergiversations in the mind of the ing, nothing
has occurred to show that it has ever contemplated
the idea of shaking them off..
On the same subject the limes Paris correspondent
says :—According 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 ma y havel;ungovWiT:te 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 her Willingness to ad when the proper

time for action should arrive, appear now to
dissipated ; and even by those whose incredulity
endured to the last it is now averred that Austria
is acting at this moment as becomes a gm!t
Power desirous of throwing off the tutelage of
' u,
i
Russia, and of sustaining its independence. -1,
deed, unless the blackest treason be contemplated,
the assurances given by the Cabinet of VienVienneand parti.mlarly by the young and high spirited
Emperor, leave us little to desire, and there
is reason to believe that the cry of Ville ZBu
triche will soon be associated in the comPlitee—.
tary phrases exchanged between France and Beg;
land. You are already aware that M. (now Baron)
von Hubner has returned to Paris after his short
' visit to Vienna. With all the caution which chara&
terises every one connected with Austrian diplareaeP
and the mystery which covers its proceedings, itir
nevertheless known that the explanations given
that Minister are !such as to j ustity the most confide!)
hopes ; and a person who is generally well-inforra
er
on these matters has this day declared it as 11!
opinion that, before the lapse of a fortnight, a forma
rupture will take placa between Austria and Russi":
For the honour of Austria it must also be said do'
if a change for the better be observable in the Bet
lin Cabinet, it is principally owing to the pressure
exercised upon it by teat power. She has NI
recently remonstrated with Prussia in ter s
neither the Cabinet nor the King could disregss"
She has reminded Prussia of what she appeared to
forget, namely, that she was a party to the sclera°
acts which bound the four Powers to a common
policy, and declared that she would consider tee
conduct she had given some indications of pursuing'
to be in total contradiction to these engagements 5
that they signified nothing more or less than a re.
,fusal to execute those pledges, and that the Den-
realization of them would be regarded by Austria as
an act against herself. Austria has declared her
readiness to act with the Western Powers, but before
advancing she insisted upon knowing the court
which Prussia proposed to follow, while she hers'
was engaged. Such, lam assured, is, in substance
the language employed by Austria. The answer
of Prussia is said to be satisfactory, and the car
munication which, as I mentioned yesterday, via!
received by the French Government, announce:
such to be the case. The result is, that thncg,!
Prussia may be as earnest and as zealous 0'
the cause as desirable, yet much satisfaction is er
pressed at the change which is said to have come
over her councils ; and, if matters progress in the
same favourable way, we may soon expect to see,
the Emperor Nicholas hemmed in by a circle et
enemies. As it is, his position is bad enough ; whet
will it be when his dearest friend is forced by or"
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 statement from the Si alta Mailof May 12
"The French Government have become the ownere
by purchase of the three steam-ships lately in this
harbour, the Golden Fleece, the Emu, and the KW
garoo, and they will change owners as soon as the
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 could
employ vessels of their size and speed, came to the
resolution of accepting the offers made, and bi
which, we believe, they have realised a profit that
may solace them for the loss of the Australian con-
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 in the
world, however friendly soever it be."
The interest on Treasury Bonds is fixed, after the
18th of May, at 31- per cent. for bonds of three to
five months, at 4 per cent. of six to eleven months,
and at 4i per cent, of twelve months.
The Tnree per Cents. opened yesterday at 661. 95c. I
and closed at 67f. 80c. for the end of the month;
the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 93f. 90c. ;
and the New Loan at 67f.; Orleans Railway Shares,
1,107 f. 50c.•, Rouen' 910 f. ; Havre, 460 f. • Great
Northern, 795 f. ; Strasburg, 745 f. ; New 'Shares,
5821. 50c. ; Paris and Lyons, 897 f. 50c. ; Lyons
to the Mediterranean, 740 f. ; Western of France,
615 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 5601. ; Great Central
of France, 482 f. 50c. ; Lyons to Geneva, 4711.
25c. ; Bank of Credit Mobilier, 607 f. 50e.