The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-16 00:00:00

THE LUXEMBURG QUESTION.
BERLIN, December 15, (4,10 p.m.)
The Luxemburg affair will lead to no complica-
tions. Though Luxemburg, in consequence of
the Prussian declaration, ceases to be a State
neutralised by the common consent of all
Europe, it is, nevertheless, acknowledged as
an independent State. Only in the event of
Luxemburg openly supporting France and injuring
Germany would the latter be provoked to reprisals.
But this is very improbable, seeing that the Grand
Duke of Luxemburg is evidently not disquieted by
the Prussian Note. The statement of the Brussels,
Luxemburg, and Vienna Press, that the Grand
Duke would not object to cede the Duchy to Ger-
many, is not contradicted at Amsterdam.—Times.

The Telegraph publishes the following telegrams:—
AMSTERDAM, December 15 (Night).

The Handelsblad of this city recommends that the
King of Ilolland should abdicate the Sovereignty cf
the Duchy of Luxemburg in favour of some German
Prince, assuming the consent of the population•
It points out the importance of Luxemburg to Ger-
many on account of the military road into Lorraine,
and adds that Luxemburg cannot be a member
of the Zollverein without undertaking Federal
duties.

BERLIN, December 15 (1.15 p.m.)

Count Bismarck's Circular Note on the Luxem-
burg question has not yet been received at Berlin;
but it is officially understood to have been for some
days in the hands of ine British Government.
It is asserted in Vienna that arrangements for the
purchase of the Grand Ducal territory have already
been concluded between the German and Dutch
G overnments.

BRUSSELS, December 15.

Complete good understanding exists between the
Prussian and the Belgian Governments, and the
latter has officially received the thanks of the Ger-
man Cabinet for the perfect loyalty with which it
has enforced the observance of its neutrality—in
such marked contrast to the conduct of England and
of Luxemburg.

• The Prussian policy, now adopted, of self-protec-
tion in regard to Luxemburg, is reported to be looked
upon with entire approval by Belgium.
It is Stated that the King of Holland has sent
the following telegram to the Government of Luxem-
burg : _ _

will defend the Treaty of 1867 and the
honour and independence of the Grand Duchy. I
approve all the acts of the Grand Ducal Govern-
ment."

The Daily News telegrams are as follow :
VIENNA, December 15.

In the Luxemburg question the Austrian Govern-
ment has confined itselt to inquiring at the Hague
into the accuracy of the Prussian demands, and in-
forming itself as to the attitude of England. _
The reported arrangement between Rumia and
Turkey previous to the Conference is confirmed by
the Presse.

BRUSSELS, Docember 15.

The Luxemburg Chamber assembles to-morrow
to receive a communication from the Government on
the subject of the action taken by Prussia with
regard to the neutrality of the Duchy.

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

BERLIN, December 15.

The Golos of St. Petersburg expects that invi-
tations to the London Conference will be distributed
immediately on the reception of the last- Russian
Note, which was probably delivered in London
yesterday.

ST. PETERSBURG, December 15.

In reply to Prince Gortschkoff, Count Beust, in
his last note, says :--64 Austria adheres to the Con-
ference without previously adopting any resolution
as to the questions to be discussed. She is only
animated by the desire to insure peace in the
East, and to effect a lasting settlement of
the subjects of dispute now prevailing, and
at the same time to spare the national suscep-
tibilities of Russia without weakening the guaran-
tees which had been judged necessary by the
Powers."

An Imperial manifesto has appeared ordering a
levy to be made of six men in every thousand of the
male population.

BORDEAUX, December 15.

The statement' which has appeared in certain
journals that France has declined to take part in
the Conference on the Eastern question is incor-
rect. The position of affairs at present is officially
said to be that the neutral Powers, regarding the
presence of a French representative as necessary if a
European agreement is to be arrived at, are now oc-
cupied in devising means to facilitate the entrance of
the French Government to the Conference.

• (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.)
SYMPATHY WITH THE POPE.

A monster meeting was held last evening at Thurles,
Tipperary, to express sympathy with the Pope. Arch-
bishop Leahy presided, and argued that if the overthrow
of the Pope's Government was to be permitted no small
Government could be considered secure. The British
Government, apart from international obligations, ought
to be called upon to defend the interests of its Catholic
subjects, menaced at Rome. The Catholics would
support no Government and elect no member unwilling to
espouse the cause of the Pope.