The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-23 00:00:00

THE UNITED STATES AND THE WAR.

A quantity of diplomatic correspondence concern-'
ing the policy of the United States' Government in
reference to the European war, was presented to
Congress with the President's Message. One of the
earliest documents refers to the recognition of the new
French Government. On Sept. 6 Assistant-Secretary
Davis telegraphed to Minister Washburne at Paris
that if the Provisional Government had actual
possession of po'wer, and was acknowledged by the
French people, he was not to hesitate to recognise it.
A subsequent despatch of the same date directed
him tl offer the congratulations of the President
and people on the establishment of a Republic.
On September 9 Secretary Fish acknowledges
the receipt of Fa're's request to Minister Wash-
burne to join the other Powers in efforts for peace.
"It is not," says Mr. Fish, "the policy or the inte-
rest of the United States to act jointly with European
Powers on European questions." He has instructed
Mr. Bancroft to ascertain whether Germany desires the
good offices of the United States, but not to tender them
without the assurance that they will be accepted.
On September 11 Minister Bancroft telegraphs as
follows :—" No time now for America to intervene.
Germany rejects all foreign interference. Every
other power holds back. America would stand
alone, and be unable to accomplish anything. Our
interest and dignity require us for the pre-
sent to stand aloof." Mr. Fish subsequently
learns from Mr. Bancroft that one of the
conditions to be insisted on in negotiating a peace
with France will be the recognition of the principle
of exempting private property on the high seas from
seizure ; and the secretary sanctions the principle.
A long dispatch from the American Minister on com-
munications with Paris objects to the rights of
legations being infringed by the belligerents.
Minister Motley states as an authentic fact that the
French Government telegraphed to London on
August 6 to know whether General Lee was ex-
pected, and thinks it chews some want of confidence
in the government of their armies.
BOHEMIA AND THE BLACK SEA.

Count Beust's reply to the memorandum of the
Czech leaders on the position of Bohemia
and on the Black Sea difficulty has been unani-
mously approved by the Vienna press.
Count Beust says the most important part of the
memorandum is that which deals with the question
of the neutrality of the Black Sea, though why the

Bohemian nation should have a greater interest in
the question than any other AuStrian race it is not
easy to understand. Bohemia should have the same
interest as all other nationalities in the
Maintenance of treaties, and to express
an opposite opinion is to favour the Power
with whom the question is being discussed.
Such a proceeding can only be condemned in the
strongest manner. No State can retain its indi-
viduality if political partisans are allowed to act in
defiance of the interests of the country. Republics
would not tolerate such proceedings, and they must
be at once put down in Austria. The Czech leaders,
in their memorandum, had repeated their demands
for aNational Czech Government, distinct from that
of the other parts of the Empire, and they
laid particular stress on their sympathy with
Russia. The answer of Count Beust is held to
show the strict constitutional policy of the Govern-
ment. It is thought the present provisional state of
the Austrian Government will last a few weeks
longer, as the Emperor seems indisposed to give any
decision as to the proffered resignation of Count
Potocki.