The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-15 00:00:00

HAM ME R SMITH BRIDGE,

The Engineer, a high authority on such a subject,
considers that the apprehensions of a break down of
Hammersmith Bridge during the University Boat
Race are not unfounded. It appears that the struc-
ture is nearly 45 per cent. weaker than the regula-
tions of the Board of Trade allow.

FOREIGN NOTES,
CONTINENTAL DIFFICULTIES.

Gentlemen who have speculated for a rise on the Paria
Bourse are not likely to make large profits at present.
Rumour, as efficacious on the Bourse as fact, is still busy.
Some facts, too, of a rather significant character have just
come to light. For instance, the Etendard, which for the
last few days has been confident of a speedy
and peaceful solution of the Belgian difficulty, persists in
this assertion, but unconsciously admits that the dispute
has been serious Enough to warrant the interference of
another Power. It says "We are happy to be able to
announce that the influence of England has been exerted
in this question for the purpose of bringing about a peace-
ful settlement, thus shewing how thorough is the spirit of
conciliation which animates the British Cabinet." The
controversy is now, says the semi-official paper, confined
to the question of fares. When that essential point is
settled, all the objections of the Belgian Government will
have been satisfied, and no obstacle to the fusion of
the two companies will remain. The Temp;
and other journals state that M. de la Garonniere,
after having been imaginatively sent to Brussels two or
three times, set out in the flesh for that capital on Friday
evening, "his instructions being ready." The Constitu-
tionel publishes a hazy article, highly condescending to
Belgium, but also of a conciliatory tone. It is satisfactory
to find that this affair promises to end quietly ; it was
difficult indeed to imagine that such a wretched "ques-
tion" could bring about a war ; but the declaration of the
Etendard, though reassuring in one sense, is disquieting in
another. The interference of England proves thatßelgium
must at least have been bullied by France.
The nature of the negotiations now going on is much
disputed. The Constitutionnel seems to be informed that
the settlement is less forward than the Etendard represents
it. A mixed commission has been proposed to regulate
the tariff question, but this the Consautionnel says is as
—et but a project.

This Belgian question, together with other signs
which have been unfavourably interpreted, has rather
strengthened than diminished the uneasiness prevalent on
the Continent. The Illemorial Diplomatique attempts to
give a serious turn to the Belgian difficulty, by stating
that a short time ago Prussia offered the annexation of
Belgium to France as the price of the Emperor Napo.
leon's assistance against Austria. The tffer was rejected
then, but the inference is that annexation may be
thought of now. Then there .is a general move-
ment, almost a panic, amongst the Ambassadors.
The Prussian representative has been recalled from
Florence, the Italian Minister at Paris has gone back to
Italy, and the French Minister at Vienna is expected in
Paris. Finally, the despatches of the Russian Govern.
ment relating to the Turco-Greek affair shew clearly
enough that so far as regards the greater questions
at issue between the two States Russia is directly
antagonistic to England and France. But, as the Indio.
penclance Beige remarks, apprehensions founded on these
data spring rather from instinct than reason.