The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-29 00:00:00

AUSTRIAN DESPATCHFS.

The Austro-Hungarian Red-book, which was distri-
buted on the 24th November to the two delegations At
Pesth, contains an introductory document on the position
of the monarchy in regard to the present war. After re'
ferring to the anxiety of the Emperor-King for their assist'
ance and the determination of the Government to keep them
informed of the events of the day as far as is consistent
with prudence, the Ministry says that up to the middle
of the year there was little of importance going on at the
Foreign Office, excepting the negotiations on the Roman
question. In the Franco-Prussian crisis which then arose
the Austro-Hungarian Government exerted itself on
befalf of peace with the same earnestness se
it brought to bear on the Luxemburg question
three years ago. But the causes which had,.
originated this conflict went deeper, and rendered an
attempts at mediation fruitless. During the terrible
struggle which ensued between the two nations, the benefits
of peace were preserved for the Austro-Hungarian monar-
chy. Although it felt itself attacked by the changes
which the war produced in the political state of Europe,
the Imperial and Royal Government has not been shaken
from its resolution of observing a rigorous neutralitY.
Motives of equal gravity restrained Austria and Hunger,'
from an alliance with France and with Prussia, and in the
two divisions of the empire public opinion declared
almost unanimously in favour of the course adopted by
the • Government. After tracing the efforts of the
Government to secure a good understanding with
all the Powers, the document says that immediately
the Franco-Prussian war broke out the Aug'
trian Government endeavoured to act as mediator. Far
from encouraging the French to undertake the war which
has proved so disastrous to them, the Austrian Govern-
ment left no doubt as to the course it would pursue or
the strict neutrality it would observe. A convention
having been proposed by which the neutral powers bound
themselves not to emerge from their neutrality without
explaining their reasons for so doing, the Austrian
Government agreed, on condition that if the other Blom&
tories proposed mediation its liberty of action would be
restored. They feared that otherwise the league of the
neutrals would rather tend to prolong than to abridge the
war. In concluding this part of the < despatch
the Government remarks that a remonstrance
in favour of peace is the special office of
London and St. Petersburg, and strongly approves the
action of England in defending the neutrality of Belgiuge.
The second part of the despatch refers to one aspect of
the Eastern question. After tracing the history of the
troubles in Cattaro, Albania, and Montenegro* it says that
the mixed commission at Scutari recommended a corn-
promise by which the Montenegrin populations should
accept a pecuniary indemnity in exchange for their chin*.
The Porte has declared its readiness-to agree, and it is
most probable that Monteneg,ro will also consent to this
manner of settlement. The troubles in Roumania are
next spoken of, and it is remarked that the Austrian
Empire has a great interest in the maintenance of
internal order in the neighbourhood of the lower
Danube. The third part of this document treats of the
Roman question, and regrets that a more pacific solution
of the problem of the Temporal Power was not arrived at.
The Government, however, never dreamt of replacing the
French troops by Austrian ones, neither did the Pop e
himself ever ask such a thing.
The despatch which Count Beust forwarded to Count de
Wimpffen, the Austrian Envoy at Berlin, on the attitude
of the neutral Powers in the Franco-Prussian war, is
strongly worded. He fears, he says, lest before the
tribunal of history part of the responsibility attending
the calamities of the war will fall upon the,
neutral Powers, should they witness unmoved'
the spectacle of the fall of Paris, He directs
the Austrian representative openly to express the regret
of his Government that the Prussian despatches manifest
a decided tendency to resent any intervention on the part
of other powers. The Cabinet of Vienna caw
not approve the policy of absolute abstention which
seems to be in favour at St. Petersburg, and holds it n
duty to proclaim openly that a peace produced by an iny
partial intervention would be preferable to the terrible
exterminations which areariticipated. The telegrams which
paEsed between Count Beust and the ambassadors respect'
ing the negotiations for the conclusion of an armistice
are likewise comprised in this Red Book. In the first",
which is dated London, (lotober 21st, Count d'ApponYs
repeats Lord Granville's arguments in favour of an
armistice, which should render the convocation of
a Constituent Assembly and the conclusion of
peace possible, and expresses the English Minister's
desire that the Austrian Government will support hint-
Prince Metternich telegraphs in a similar strain. Count
Beust, in reply to Prince Metternich, says he has constantly
reiterated at London and St. Petersburg his conviction of
the necessity for a European intervention. The step which
England has taken realises his wishes, and he cannot d?'
otherwise than support it. A similar intimation is see;
by the Austrian Chancellor to Berlin, St. Petersburg an
Florence. In a despatch •to Prince Metternich
dated October 3rd, Couut Beust says that
Austria cannot emerge from neutrality alone. The'
Government of the Emperor understood her reasone
and M. Jules Favre has also comprehended that Austria.
could not prove her sympathy for France in any other,
way than she has done. In the interview which he bee
with M. Thiers, Count Bengt says, the Frenchman
quite understood the situation. M. Thiers made tw°
requests, which Count Belist at once granted, as they
seemed to him perfectly compatible with the Austrian
policy; The Austrian Government earnestly desire a last"
ing and hononrable peace, and in their estimation the
inaction of Europe is a lamentable fault. TheY
believe that IN united intervention by the
neutral Powers would have a salutary influence.
The Austro-Hungarian Cabinet is not in a position t°,
take such a step alone, or to assume the lead, but 1"
would very willingly support the action of other Power°
if they would take the initiative.

On the apprehensions of war with Russia whieb,
have been lately excited in this country, the price of leao
rose from £lB to £23 per ton. The price has again de"
dined.
To the Education Crisis Fund, now being raised
by the Roman Catholics in England, the Duke of Nor
folk has subscribed £lO,OOO, and Lord Howard of Glossok)
£5,000.