The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-30 00:00:00

CONTLYENTAL AFFAIRS.

The threatening aspect of affairs on the conti-
nent of Europe continues, though the feeling in
France is believed to be favourable to peace
on honourable terms. This is said to be more
marked now than in 1859, showing change gra-
dually coming over France wrought by the mag-
nitude of the commercial operations in which that
nation is engaged. France, it is declared, has placed
the Luxembourg question in the hands of the
European Powers, and holds aloof in order not to
embarrass their pacific action, while she is prepared
to abide by their decree. France has the great ad-
vantage of being able to take the course she considers
advisable, without fear of imputations being cast on
her courage. She professes to wish for peace, to be
willing to make sacrifices for peace, but not to stand
bullying. In the meantime, however, she is rapidly
arming. Count BISMARCK appears to consider that
Prussia has the advantage of being better prepared,
and consequently if there is to be war that Prussia
would gain by immediate action. The opinion
of Europe favours France, and it is probable
that this feeling would be more marked if the
rupture was hastened by Prussia. Were Prussia
successful in a war with France, Europe would in-
stantly become alarmed. It sees the success of this
Power with envy, the grasping nature of its policy
with fear. The intoxication of success may commit

Prussia to the terrible ordeal of a single-

handed combat with France, in which, if
successful, she would find a European coali-
tion against her, and, if defeated, she would
be despoiled of her territory, and deprived
of the gains which accrued from the Danish and
Austrian wars. No doubt Count BISMARCK is the
best judge of the position, but he may make a fatal
mistake. In case of a drawn battle Holland and

Belgium would probably be the sufferers. In the
mean time the Exhibition progresses, and it is now
discovered that it is not so great a failure as the press
a short time ago predicted. Both the Exhibitions
of London were pronounced to be failures before
they were opened, and great successes, more
especially the first, before they closed. Were
it not for this cloud on the political horizon
things would quickly brighten. The disturb-
ances 'which had broken out at Oporto have
been suppressed by the troops. It was said that
Denmark was arming and equipping her fleet
for sea, but these reports are officially denied. The
financial condition of Italy is found to be almost
hopeless, and it was rumoured that in case of war
France would aid Italy with a loan of £24,000,000,
which, we presume, to be one of the baseless reports
now circulating so freely.
" Several Paris journals," says the MI 31u11
4
Gazette, "have been thrown into a state of great
consternation in consequence of a threat attributed
to Count BISMARCK. The Prussian Minister,irri-
tated at the tone of the French press, is sid to
have declared that, in case of war, he will have hill,_.
lished throughout Germany the names of 1
e
cliflc-
rent Paris journals and writers subsid. isad by Prussia
during the late war."—Ao-iineringt 1 •
can nines.

BUIINTISLAND.—AIZRIVAL OF A FRENCH W. 11:
gu
VESSEL—His French Majesty's steam frigate Pandore, 41,
ng, commanded by M. Jules Pavia Leveque, anchored
in the roadstead on Friday morning. The Paudore left
Cherbourg on the 22d inst., and had a pleasant voyage to
the Firth of Forth. In the course of to-morrow (Sunday)
she will be joined by another ship of th,,. French navy—
the Beaumanoir—a vessel carrying 16 guns ; and after
a stay of eight days both ships will proceed to Lerwick
on their usual mission for the protection of the fisheries.