The Sun.
London, England, 1840-12-10 00:00:00

GERMAN Y.

WAR PREPARATIONS.
FRANKFORT, DEC. s.—Notwithstanding the chances
still continue to be in flavour of peace, yet the Germa•
rile Confederation is resolved to assume a position which
shall prevent the recurrence of the insulting language
held some time back by the Parisians ; and Europe at
large will assuredly be benefited by such a step. The
completing and improving the materiel, which I men-
tinned recently as being actively carried on, the re-
mounting the cavalry, and filling up the blanks in the
respective corps, are diligently, though silentiy, advanc-
ing ; and the spring will see the full force stipulated by
the Act of Confederation, and in Prussia and Austria
a far greater power ready, in every respect, to take
the field. The conferences at Vienna having ter-
minated, General Von Radowitz has proceeded to
Munich, whence he is expected to visit Stutgard and
Carlsruhe. It is understood that the greatest har-
mony prevails on the views of the ministers and lead-
ing military authorities in the different States. The
fund for military purposes is to be raised, by a general
contribution, to one hundred millions of florins, with
which the construction of two large fortresses (one on
the Rhine, near Rastadt, and one at Ulm, on the Da-
nube) are to be defrayed. Plans of operations are also
agreed upon, in the case of its being necessary to oppose
a movement from Strasburg, and it is said that the
command of the Confederate army would, in such a
case, be given to General Von Grolmann.
Two recently published declarations show that Aus-
tria and Prussia are perfectly agreed in the policy which
their interests prescribe to them. The first is the note
of the Austrian "Meister at Berne, on the subject of
the late declaration of neutrality made by Switzerland,
and which runs as follows :—" Berne, November 10,
1840. The Charge d'Affaires for the Swiss Can-
tons, Baron Von Effinger, has acquainted Prince
Metternich with the circular note addressed by
the Vorort' to the Estates, and dated 20th Octo-
ber, 1840, in which the Government informs the military
'authorities, and in so doing, declares its intention
of maintaining that neutrality which the treaties of
Europe have guaranteed. The undersigned Ambas-
sador Extraordinary from his Apostolic Majesty to the
Swiss Confederation, has received the honourable com-
mission, in consequence of this communication, to ex-
press the lively satisfaction with which the Austrian
Cabinet has learned the opinions expressed in the cir-
cular note. They are worthy of the ancient fidelity
and candour of the Swiss people, and afford, at the same
time, a pledge of the security and welfare of the Con-
federation in whatever storms Europe may be involved.
The undersigned is further authorized to assure the
Vorort, in the name of his Cabinet, that the endeavours
of the Swiss cantons to insure their neutrality will al-
ways meet with approbation and encouragement on the
part of Austria, and that this neutrality is, in the eyes
of the Imperial Cabinet, founded 'upon the most solemn
treaties, and an inviolably sacred pledge. The views
of his Government are consequently in perfect unison
with those which the Swiss Confederation must enter-
tain upon this point.
" The undersigned has the honour, &c.,
" COUNT VON BOMBELLES.
" To the Burgomaster and Council of State at
Zurich, as chief place of the Confederation."
The second is an extract from the protocol of the I
25th sitting of the Diet at Frankfort, on the 12th No-
vember. Tire presiding Ambassador (Count Munch
Bellinghausen) declares that he is authorised, by the
Courts of Austria and Prussia, officially to communi
cute the Treaty concluded with the Ottoman Porte
for the pacification of the Levant ; and likewise, that
the British Minister accredited to the Diet has com-
municated the same Treaty. The Ambassador-Presi-
dent continued :—" The intention of the high contract-
ing parties, and the object which they have in view, is
too clearly expressed in the documents which accompany
the Treaty, and especially in the protocol signed on the
17th September in London, to make any further ex-
planation necessary. The preservation of the Turkish
empire in its full extent and independence is a fun-
damental condition of the preservation of the peace
of Europe. The treaties which are here communicated
have been solely concluded with a view to secure this
point of such high interest for the Sovereigns and peo-
ple of Europe. They believe that in fulfilling this duty
they have set an example of moderation and of neglect-
ing their separate interests, which can only meet the ap-
probation of the friends to peace and justice in Europe.
Austria and Prussia do not doubt that their allies will
not fail to do justice to the spirit which has thus been
manifested."

The President then submitted the draft of a note in an
swer to a communication received on the saute subject
from the Russian Ambassador, M. d'Oubril. On the pro-
posal of the Bavarian Minister, M. de Mieg, it was agreed
that a similar answer should be addressed to Austria and
Prussia, and that it should be notified to their Ambassa-
dors, that their communication had been received with
the most lively interest ; that the Diet felt itself bound to
acknowledge its sense of the devoted and disinterested
views expressed on this occasion by the Four Powers ;
that it leaves the means of establishing peace in the
East to these Powers, in full confidence in their wisdom
and moderation, and in the hope that the general peace
of Europe will be secured by that means—a peace
which has lasted for a quarter of a century, to the glory
of the sovereigns, and the welfare of the people, and
which is for all a deeply-felt and indispensable re-
quisite."
The position of the Confederation will thus be similar
to that of the Swiss cantons ; it does not participate
in the Treaty of London directly, but it is obliged,
amidst the general armament, to provide for its own se-
curity. In compliance with the established regulations,
therefore, it is reported that the men relieved in the
garrison of Mainz (Prussians) will be from that fortress,
in which an equal number of Prussians and Austrians
must be stationed ; but instead of being dismissed, will
go into cantonments near Kreuznach.
Hanover is the only German State in which any de-
rogation from the calm and dignified bearing of the
Confederation is observable. The Allgcmeine .Ztitang
has communicated a notification sent to the authorities
on the frontiers of that kingdom, warning them to be
upon their guard against attempts on the part of the
deposed Duke of Brunswick. How low must the
moral credit of Government be sunk, which is reduced
to fear the attempts of a man like Duke Charles of
Brunswick! and how wretched must be the state of a
people amongst whom such an adventurer could antici-
pate sympathy.
It is stated that the commercial league between
Hanover, Brunswick, and Oldenburg, has been renewed,
but without the accession of Lippe, which principality
will probably join the Prussian League. According
to a correspondent of the Leipsic Allgemeine Zeitting,
the continuance of the Prussian League after 1842 has
also been resolved upon, but with the sacrifice of the
obnoxious treaties with Holland and the Manse Towns.
How these treaties are to be set aside is not stated. The
report in circulation respecting them, and in which the
name of a lady of rank has been mixed up, are too
odious for repetition.—Chronicle.
" FRANKFORT, DEC. 5.—" We have just received,
through a diplomatic channel, a piece of news which is
of the highest importance. The Prussian General,
Grollman, has entered into every arrangement at Vienna
for any warlike eventuality that may arrive, and the
chief commands of the different German, Austrian,
Prussian, and Dutch corps, have been arranged as
follow :
" The King of Wirtemberg will command the se-
cond corps d'armee of the Germanic Confederation ;
the Prince of Orange, now King of Holland, has ac-
cepted the command of a corps ; the King of Prussia
will command in chief, and will have under him General
Grollman, as superior chief, and General Pined, as chief
of the staff of the allied armies.
" Everything was arranged with the greatest secrecy,
and even the numbers of the corps and the .regiments
were pointed out. The hatred generally felt against
France, and particularly by the Prince of Orange, ap-
pears to have got the better of every prudential consi-
deration.

SUBMISSION OF MEHEMET ALI.

The Quotidienne gives the following as the substance
of its intelligence from the Levant
" It was on the 26th ult. that the Allied fleet ap-
peared before Alexandria, after receiving in its course
the submission of Jaffa. While the ships were taking
up their positions Commodore Napier went on board a
steamer and boldly entered the goletta through a cross-
fire from the forts, displaying only when in the middle of
the port a flag of truce. He was immediately conducted
to the Viceroy, whom he summoned to surrender upon
the terms proposed in the ultimatum of the Four
powers. Mehemet Ali at first refused. The discus-
sion, it is said, became very warm. All the arguments,
even the warmth of the Commodore, were useless. We
will burn the town I' be exclaimed with violence.' Burn !'
replied the Pacha with perfect calmness. The Com-
modore retired. As he was going back to the port,
he pointed with his finger to a building, and said to the
interpreter. There is the powder magazine,' and then
he looked at the ships. No sooner had Napier reached
the fleet, than he again appeared with boats, taking
soundings of the entrance. Every preparation was made
for a bombardment. What in the meantime was pas-
sing at Alexandria? Here our accounts are imperfect.
It, however, appears certain that an insurrection broke
out in the city, a❑d that some cannon were spiked.
Mehemet Ali being informed of this, and no doubt
made acquainted with Commodore Napier's significant
expression, ordered him to be recalled, and surrendered
at discretion—even placing in the Commodore's hand
an order for Ibrahim to evacuate Syria immediately."