The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-08 00:00:00

GERMANY

AND

THE NORTHERN STATES.

AUSTRIA.
ABDICATION OF THE EMPEROR.

On the 2d of Dec. the Emperor FERDINAND abdi-
cated the Imperial throne of the Austrian empire, in
favour of his nephew, the Archduke FRANCIS JOSEPH,
eldest son of the Archduke FRANCIS CHARLES, who
resigns his claims as next brother to the Emperor
FERDINARD, in favour of his son, now the Emperor
FRANCIS JOSEPH.

In a proclamation, dated 011mutz, Dec. 2, the
Emperor FERDINAND announces his abdication. The
Emperor FRANCIS, on the same day, issued a
proclamation setting forth the principles of his Go-
vernment. This proclamation is virtually a repetition
of the Ministerial programme of Prince SCHWART-
ZENBURG. The intelligence of the abdication of the
Emperor FERDINAND was communicated to the Diet
on the 3d by Prince SCHWARTZENBURG. The ex-
EMPEROR has fixed upon Prague as his future place
of residence. lie arrived in that city at midnight o
the 2d December. The Emperor FRANCIS down'
was born on the 18th August, 1830.
The Wiener Zeitung of Dec. 1 contains the fol-
lowing official report from the theatre of war in Tran-
sylvania :
"Lieut,-Colonel Urban, with his large corps, bad on
the 13th approached as far as Samos. Ujoar, suddenly
attacked by him with a superior force from Klausenburg,
was simultaneously threatened in the flank by circum-
venting columns. The Lieut.-Colonel, without firing a
shot, occupied the strong position to the left of Samos.
Ujoar, who also landed there, was beaten back and com-
pletely worsted. He probably lost upon from 49 to 50
dead, who were all, however, carried off; one of the
leaders also was shot dead by a ball, but it was not ascer-
tained who he was.
" The village of Zelly, to the left of the main road,
which showed hostility to the Imperial troops, was
severely chastised by a column sent thither. Two of
our men were slightly wounded. We expect speedily to
send you important news.
" Everybody in Klausenberg is taking flight to Great
Wandein. Unhappily the way thither has been long
shut up against them; they cannot have known this fact.
" Major-General Warpener landed with his fine strong
brigade at the close of the engagement, having been a
march and a half in the rear. The enemy may congra-
tulate themselves on this circumstance, for had the
General arrived sooner the enemy must have been coin•
pletely annihilated."
The Allgemeine Keilung, of the 2d, publishes the
following letter from RADETZKT to M. EGGER, a
member of the German Parliament, on the subject
of the separation of Austria from Germany :
" How could the opinion obtain at Frankfort that the
resolutions consequent upon your declarations would
compel Austria to a separation from Germany? For
that must be the inevitable consequence if those prin-
ciples are to be carried out. Cast your eye over the
map of Europe and say whether it be possible to dis-
server the Austrian provinces from a Federal Imperial
union, in which for centuries they have found their hap-
piness and their welfare? Do they seriously think at
Frankfort that this can be effected by a mere vote? A
fine German heart beats in my breast, but verily at this
price I must reduce it to silence.
" I hear there is much talk in Germany of the dangers
of Panslavism, but everything in fact is done to give
this phantom a tangible form; nay, the word revolt is
almost synonimoua.with.the word Gcrman.

" Those provinces of Austria which are not German
contain no less than 38,000,000 of inhabitants; let not
this fact be forgotten at Frankfort, nor let us, by a sort
of headstrong Germanism, lose such confederates. Time
will prove whether my opinions be erroneous.

_
RADETZII.T.
" Head-quarters, Milan, Nov. 9, 1848."

PRUSSIA.

DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY-A

NE \V CONSTITUTION.

On the .sthßeCenloeitheki4Of PRUSSIA issued
the following decree, dissolving the Assembly
We Frederick William, by the grace of God King of
Prussia, &c., &c., have, through successive reports of our
Ministry of State relative to the late sittings of the As-
sembly, convoked for the purpose of concording' a
constitution, come, with profound sorrow, to the convic-
tion that the important labours fur which this Assembly
has been called together cannot be prolonged without en-
croachments upon the rights of our Crown, or without
trenching upon the welfare of the nation, which is inse-
parable from these rights. We, therefore, on the propo-
sition of our Ministry of State, decree as follows:
" 1. The Assembly, called together for the purpose
of concording ' a constitution, is hereby dissolved.
" 2. Our Ministry of State is charged with the execu-
tion of this decree.
" Given and signed with our own hand, and sealed
with our own arms, this day, the sth of December, 1848,
at Potsdam.
(Signed) " FREDERICK WILLIAM,
" BRANDENBURG,
LADENBERG,
" SROTIIA,
" MA.NTEUFFEL,
" RENTELEN.
" VON DER lIEYDT."

A decree of the same date appoints the latter, who
was a Member of the Chamber (for Elberfeld), to be
Minister of Commerce and Public Works. Count
Buww is at the same time appointed Director-
General, ad interim, of the Foreign Department.
This is accompanied by another decree containing
the new constitution—a constitution octroyee, be it re-
membered, and not agreed upon, and therefore not
likely to be acceptable to the people, inasmuch as the
power which granted it may take it away. The new
constitution consists of 112 articles, and guarantees
freedom of the press, subject to prosecution for
offences according to existing laws; freedom of
meeting in inclosed places ; freedom of open
meetings, with twenty-four hours' notice, and
police permission ; two Chambers—the one to
consist of 180 members, the other of 3.so—both
without other qualifications than age and proof of
naturalisation ; confirmation of the law of universal
suffrage; complete liberty for all religious creeds and
associations; abolition of all aristocratic privileges;
confirmation of the Habeas Corpus Act. The new
Chambers are to be elected upon the 22d of January
and 12th of February next, and are convoked for
business upon the 26th of February.
The Members of the Left met on the night of the
6th to protest against the dissolution of the Assembly
until it had accomplished its mission, and in conjunc-
tion with the KING, concorded a constitution which
should be in the nature of a pact between the KING
and the people, instead of a grant of the SOVEREIGN.
The Cologne Gazette of the 4th says—
_

"In the old market-place, yesterday morning, a
considerable number of people assembled before a pic-
ture-stall whereon a likeness of Robert Blum wai,
exhibited, and were lamenting over the bloody account
of his death, and, naturally enough, spoke of their
dislike of Windischgratz in relation thereto. A well-
dressed man who was on the spot gave utterance to a
contrary opinion. Scarcely had he pronounced the words
that Robert Blum had been rightly dealt with, before
every hand was raised against him, and he was soundly
beaten, to the great jubilation of the bystanders."