The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-18 00:00:00

GERMANY.

At Berlin, at Cologne, and at all the leading German
cities, the feeling up to the very last hour was
in favoar of the maintenance of peace. From the attitude
of the German press, it would seem certain that this war
has been forced upon Prussia by France. In all cases the
North German papers have maintained an attitude of
dignity, but they have not hesitated to express their
unequivocal preference for peace. The Cologne Gazette,
in one of its latest numbers, expressed, like the Debats of
Paris, its full conviction that such a war as this
must be out of the question. Similar were the remarks
of the other Prussian papers, and even those of Austria,
but south of the Mein the feeling was far from univer-
sally favourable to Germany. In one of the leading
Munich papers is expressed the plain opinion that Prussia
will be beaten, and that Bavaria will not be with
her in defeat. " There will be no more peace
in Europe so long as the State which steals
crowns, ruins peoples and their legitimate Sovereigns,
figures on the map of Europe." Another journal de-
clares that Prussia will be isolated in this struggle. This
journal is very virulent. The People's Observer, of Carls-
rule, expresses the hope that Prussia will be humiliated.

The Government is taking energetic steps for
the preservation of Belgian neutrality. The Etoile
Beige says--Accoiding to advices which have arrived
from Berlin, London, and also from Paris,
the Government have received satisfactory assurances
respecting the maintenance of our neutrality. The
papers contain rumours of the formation of a
National Ministry composed of Liberal Catholics. The
Brussels correspondent of the Avenir National states
that a French note has been addressed to Belgium, in
which the Government asks if Belgium is in a position to
defend her frontiers, and if the Prussian army would
meet with a serious resistance. In the affirmative case
France would leave Belgium out of her strategical com-
binations, but the French army would occupy Bel-
gium on the first indication of the Prussian army being
able to seize the country. Belgium is said to have stated
in reply that she was perfectly able to defend her
neutrality.
In the United States the President, on Friday,
sent a message to Congress calling attention to
the imminence of war in Europe, which he says indicates
the necessity of legislation tending to increase
the commercial marine of the United States,
which was at present inadequate to meet the
demands the war in Europe will impose. The President
suggests that the opportnniy should be afforded to citizens
to purchase foreign-built vessels. The foreign mail ser-
vice is dependent in a large degree on the Bremen and
Hamburg steamers ; if these steamers should be impeded or
blockaded by France great embarrassment of the postal ser-
vice must ensue. The President suggests that Congress
should postpone its adjournment until the exigency has been
provided for. The House of Representatives has refused
to take action on the message, and adjourned sine die
at five o'clock. A despatch announcing the declaration
of war between France and Prussia was read to the
House of Representatives by the Speaker. A number of
the members applauded.
The Broad Arrow says :—" The Peninsular and Oriental
Company's steamer Nyanza, reports that she passed a
French fleet of iron-dads and seven sailing vessels—it is
not said where. As the German fleet is also at sea, we
may expect to hear of a naval engagement almost before
anything important can take place on land. In the
meantime French troops are being hurried on to the
Eastern frontier."

THE FIFESHIRE COAL TRADE AND IMPEND
ING WAR.

In consequence of the declaration of war by the French
Goverm;aent a number of Prussian vessels lying at Burnt-
island and other parts on the Firth of Forth received
orders on Saturday not to leave for home until the seas
were once more clear. As the cargoes of these vessels
would consist almost entirely of coal, and as many of the
collieries depend much on continental demand, it is ex-
pected that the growing activity in mining operations will
receive a temporary check.