The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-20 00:00:00

and prophecies are most abundant. From Salzbiarg
we learn that their Majesties held a conference,
which lasted more than hour. It is said th ‘t no
alliance will be concluded, as both Sovereigns; are
peacefully disposed, and that only possible eventu-
alities will be discussed ; but this may mean any-
thing, as has often been shown before. At any rate
it is an established fact that this meeting has taken
place, and it is well for the balance of power in
Europe that it should have done so, for all that
tends to check the arrogance and curb the influ-
ence of Prussia is fortunate. It is well that the
Emperor NAPOLEON should have appeared in Ger-
many, where, for the last year or so, the interests
of Prussia have been so much in the ascendant, be-
cause be is known to be both powerful and indepen-
dent, and if he chooses he can set all the objections
of Berlin councils at defiance. It is stated that the
Bavarian Council of Ministers have declared that
they are unwilling for the King of BAVARIA to visit
Salzburg, and Prince HOIIENLOHE was hostile to the
plan, as it was against the interests of Germany.
' The EMPEROR and EMPRESS were very well received
in every part of South Germany which they passed
through. No doubt this latter intelligence will be
most unfortunate to the authorities at Berlin, for
they would much rather keep all the game in their
own hands, and would infinitely have preferred that
the Emperor NAPOLEON should have remained at
home, or at least have bent his steps in another
direction.

STANTON'S resignation—a demand which, as we
know, the War Secretary declined to comply with.
It is not easy for Englishmen to understand such a
state of things, but if we look back to the preced-
ing relations between the head of the Government
and his colleague, we shall be less surprised at Mr.
STANTON'S refusal. For years past there has
been open opposition between them ; indeed
STANTON'S opposition to the PRESIDENT was SO
persistent and insolent that it was suggested he
only retained office for the purpose of annoyance.
He has done his best to thwart and defeat Mr.
JOHNSON'S policy in every possible way, and has
recently tendered his thanks to the military com-
manders of the South, who, as everybody knows,
altogether exceeded their orders. There have not
been wanting hints that Mr. STANTON'S re-
signation of his long-cherished post would
be no unwelcome thing, but it is no wonder
that hints and innuendoes fell harmlessly
from the moral mail of the man who rejected
a direct request to retire. Much speculation was
excited by this step, and a clause of the bill passed
by the thirty-ninth Congress was quoted by the
friends and others of STANTON, which provides that
the Secretary's term of office shall be one month
beyond that of the PRESIDENT. It is said that
STANTON himself obtained the insertion of this clause
knowing JOHNSON'S desire to get rid of him.
However the PRESIDENT continues to escape
from its restrictions by a legal technicality.
He did not appoint Mr. STANTON, and
consequently has the power to dislodge him from
his stronghold at the War-office. Such a restriction
as that imposed by the clause alluded to must, it is
evident, have the most mischievous effects upon the
Government. The Ministers will be virtually as
powerful as the PRESIDENT, and the Cabinet will
be, when a division of opinion arises, a scene of
anarchy. The office of PRESIDENT has been shorn
of a great deal of its legitimate influence and
authority, but such a restriction as this
deprives the temporary ruler of all the States of the
power which every Prime Minister has in European
Cabinets. The struggle for supremacy was watched
with deep interest throughout the country, and all
felt that the issue was momentous. If Mr. JOHN-
SON succumbed, there would be an end of his
power during the rest of his Presidency—he could
hardly hope to regain the lost ground. On the
other hand, if he made a bold stroke, superseded
the refractory Secretary, and put a more popular and
efficient man in his place, the effects might be consi-
derable. The President has, fortunately for himself
and for the eountry, adopted the bolder course; and
by the substitution of GRANT for STANTON has
vindicated the proper dignity of his office, and
immensely strengthened his own position. What-
ever the Radicals may say about the command of
the army being vested in the President, there can
be no question about GRANT'S supremacy, and his
presence in the Cabinet will be a great assistance
to Mr. JOHNSON in his dealings with the
military commanders of the South. For
STANTON there can be few regrets. He
richly deserves his downfall, for many per-
verse and litigious acts, which have hindered the
much-needed restoration of internal peace to the
country. It is just, however, that so outrageous
an act as the withholding of a State paper should
be the occasion of his fall, more especially when
an issue of life and death was involved in its pro-
duction. Secretaries of State among ourselves
shrink from the necessary decision in such cases.
Mr. STANTON seems to like the offices of judge and
executioner too well to forego the chance of filling
them.

We may expect from this period to meet with
many and various suggestions of all kinds relative
to the alliance between Austria and France, and
already one notable study on the subject has ap-
peared which well deserves attention and regard.
It is published in the New Fremden Blatt, a semi-
official organ of the Chancellor of the Empire,
Baron von BEUST, and it goes into the question in
a most comprehensive style and with much force of
expression. It commences by declaring that there
is no need of a Russo-Prussian alliance to incite an
accord between France and Austria. There are
other causes to bring about this work, foremost
among which may be mentioned the Treaty of
Prague. This is aptly described here as of
"an importance eminently European in its
tenour." It has exalted a Power in the
centre of Europe which was unknown there
since the great Emperors of Germany. How true
is the definition we thereupon meet with of the
actual state of things compared with what might
have been under happier auspices. It is true that
many affirmed that it was expedient to have a great
and powerful State in the middle of Europe ; but
then to carry out that idea the State in question
must have been animated with pacific views. Such
would have been the case had Germany been revived
with all her ancient notions of civilisation and peace ;
but " instead of a united Germany there rose a
great and powerful Prussia, which has thus become
a new danger for the peace of Europe." This
admirably describes the true state of things, and
scatters to the winds that fallacy of the unity of
Germany, of which so many have heard, but which
so few have seen. Neither France nor Austria has
ever acquiesced in this, that Prussia should plant
her foot in Southern Germany, and yet she has
time after time tried to do so.
So much for the past, and respecting future
contingencies it is said that as soon as Prussia puts
forward these claims or pretensions that will, if
successful, destroy the independence of the Southern
States of Germany, Austria and France ought to
oppose her. It is asked in Prussia why France
should interfere with the Treaty of Prague, but
well-informed persons know well why she should
do so, and appreciate the importance and necessity
of so doing. It is asked here with justice if France
by her attitude did not help Prussia to go on
with the war of 1866, and was not the Prussian
Prime Minister at Biarritz offering Luxemburg to
France as the price of her " benevolent neutrality."
Those who have prated so glibly about the infalli-
bility of Prussia may now take heed to the argu-
ments here used and the suggestions here made.
" Had France," it is asked, " informed Italy that she
was unwilling for her to conquer Venetia through
Prussia, or had she placed a corps of observation at
Lille or atß esan con ,would Prussia h ave been able even
with her needle-gun and her intellectual strength,
which we gladly admit, to send a single man to the
frontiers of Bohemia?" At that time no idea was
entertained of a Russo-Prussian alliance, and as
to the notion of the hatred existing between France
and Germany, in the discussion of which the Prus-
sian organs are so active, it is said that
it seems very doubtful if they are to pre-
fer Prussian hegemony to the Emperor
NAPOLEON'S protection upon the Rhenish
Confederation. It is said, in conclusion, that one
thing is certain, namely, that Austria and France
are obliged to keep a careful watch, since it is not
Germany, but Prussia, which has gained so much
power in the centre of Europe. " A wider deve-
lopment of Prussia would give them the right to
oppose that country in common. This would not
be an alliance against Germany, but one against
Prussia." The meaning of this is very ap-
parent throughout, and it is evident to all
who look at it impartially that there is truth
in the assertions here made. Who can say
that Prussia is not the beginning and end of all
power in Germany, even in those very places where
unanimity is said to reign, and where the inhabi-
tants rejoice in union with Prussia? Before long
we shall most probably see the end of all this make-
belief unity, for it has no strength or stability

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.
The Emperor and Empress, who left the camp at
Chalons on Saturday at eight in the morning, ar-
rived at one o'clock on Sunday morning at Augs-
burg. They were met at Carlsruhe by the Grand
Duke and Prince William of Baden. At the

'rontier of Wurtemburg Baron de Varnbuhler

Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Count de Tauben-
heim, Grand Equerry, deputed by their sovereign to
attend to their Majesties, got into the Imperial

,train. The King met the Emperor and Empress al
Ulm. His Majesty had come from his residence of
Friedrichshaven, on the borders of the Lake o

Constance. On entering Bavaria the Emperor and
Empress were received by Baron de Moy, grand
master of the ceremonies. At Augsburg the Em-
peror and Empress were saluted by Baron de
Lerchenfeld, President of the Government, and the
generals commanding the province and the city.

The King of Bavaria accompanied their Majesties

to Munich.

The King of Italy has given his sanction to the
Law relative to the liquidation of ecclesiastical pro-

perty. his Majesty was expected to return to
Florence yesterday.
An Italian paper states that the army of the Pope
comprises 581 officers, of whom 410 are Romans,
106 French, 40 Swiss, 12 German, 6 Belgians, 4
Irish, 2 Dutch, 2 Spaniards, and two Poles. There
are 8 generals. The total force of the Pope's army
is from 12,000 to 13,000 men.

A letter from Alexandria, dated August 9, states
that the rise of the Nile was this year accomplished
under the most satisfactory conditions, and that the
harvest promises to be magnificent. The agricul-
tural labourers in Egypt will commence under very
n y favourablethe t auspicesirne w hen thistt s yearletter will be seen by your
readers the Emperor will be at Salzbourg. As im-
portant matters will be discussed, if not accom-
plished, in that city, some description of it will be
appropriate and interesting. Salzbourg, where
Mozart was born, is one of the most beautiful towns
in Germany. It is situated on the banks of the
river Salza and has a very picturesque appearance.
It was formerly the capital of a small State, whose
sovereign took the title of Prince Archbishop. This
may account for the fact that it contains a large
number of churches, some of them very beauti-
ful. On the left bank of the river is an old
chateau, which has its legends. Within its walls
the remains of Frederic Barberousse are said to re-
pose. History, however, is not in accord with this
account, for it says that Frederic Barberousse was
drowned in the Cydnus in Asia during the Crusades,
a river where Alexander the Great very nearly met
his death. The river is dominated by splendid
mountains. The number of its inhabitants is about
16,000. The Archbishop of Salzbourg was formerly
not only Sovereign Prince of a small State, but he
was Primate of all Germany. He extended his
jurisdiction over Austria, Bavaria, and Bohemia,
and was chief Prelate of the whole of Germany.
In 803 Charlemagne visited Salzbourg. Four cen-
turies before that period Attila reigned supreme
there, and ordered the town to be razed. The new
city was built under the auspices of the Duke of
Bavaria. During the reign of the first Napoleon
Salzbourg was occupied by the French. In De-
cember, 1800, the army of -Moreau, who had just
gained the battle of Holienlinden, near Munich,
marched towards Upper Austria, and carried the
lines of the Salza ; and on the 15th of December
Generals Decaen and Lecourbe entered Salzbourg.
In 1805 Bernadotte occupied the town. The double
campaign of 1809 was terminated by the great battle
of Wagram and the treaty of Vienna. By that
treaty Salzbourg was given to Bavaria. It is, how-
ever, situated on the Austrian frontier and the
kingdom of Bavaria, so that both States might
lay claim to it. For this reason in 1809 Salz-
bourg was included in the territories belonging
to Austria, in accordance with the treaty of the
Congress of Vienna. The journey from that city
to Salzbourg may be performed in about eight
hours by the railway which passes through Linz,

vhatever.

The accounts which reach us from private sources
in the States reveal a startling history respecting Mr.
STANTON'S downfall. It is stated that the crisis in
the relations between the PRESIDENT and his refrac-
tory Secretary were brought about by the discovery
of an extraordinary act on the part of Mr. STANTON.
It seems that when Mrs. SURRATT was tried and
sentenced to death the commissioners who tried her
accompanied their decision with a recommendation
to mercy, which was never forwarded. The recom-
mendation, that the PRESIDENT should commute
her sentence in consideration of her age and sex,
was attached to the other documents by a piece of
string or ribbon. Busy fingers untied this ribbon
and transmitted the papers, minus the recommenda-
tion, to the PRESIDENT, who had no choice but to
permit the law to take its course. Some surprise
was expressed at the time that, with the PREFIDENT'S
known disposition to clemency, he had not modified
the sentence of the aged woman, of whose implica-
tion in the conspiracy very many stood in doubt.
We have now a very simple explanation of it—the
appeal for mercy never reached him, and it is not
surprising that under the circumstances he did not
choose to take upon himself the whole responsibility
of a reprieve. The matter was brought to light
during the late trial of SURRATT, the son of the
old lady. His counsel applied to the PRESIDENT
for leave to make use of the recommendation to
mercy in his defence. Mr. JOHNSON very naturally
asked, What recommendation?" and on hearing
the particulars exclaimed that it was the first he
had heard of it. On getting the papers from the
War•office the appeal was found duly tied on to the
other documents, there being no longer any reason
to tamper with them. This, according to the authen-
ticated accounts, was the reason for the demand for

THE SUN. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 20, 1867.

Austria and Bavaria may be said to be separated
from each other only by salt. Near Salzbourg there
is an extensive salt mine, and the Austrian and
Bavarian workmen, while excavating in it from
opposite directions, often meet each other. There
are various routes to Salzbourg from France, but
the most direct is that from Strasbourg to Canis-
ruhe, Stullgard, Munich, and Rosenheim. This is
the route pursued by the Emperor and Empress.
The French Ministers are essentially men cf
business, and attend to the details of their respec-
tive departments with astonishing promptitude and
attention, which should afford an example to mem-
bers of the Government in England. I had occa-
sion to communicate with the Marquis de Moustier,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Saturday afternoon,
and on Sunday afternoon I was favoured with the
information which I requested.
The letter of the Emperor, dated from the camp
at Chalons relative to the improvement of local
means of communication, contains a forcible illus-
tration of the estimate formed by the Emperor of the
services of his Ministers. In this letter to the Mar-
quis de la Vallette, the Minister of the Interior, his
Majesty says :—" 1 rely upon the enlightened zeal
and the energetic activity which you have exhibited
since I placed you at the head of the Department of
the Interior to bring to a speedy conclusion the ad-
ministrative inquiry upon the subject, and to pre-
pare for presentation to the Legislative Body next
session a project of law to ensure the execution of
the work which I have so much at heart." The Em-
peror thus publicly records his appreciation of the
services of his Minister of the Interior. Even the
Opposition papers admit that the eulogium is well
founded, and all France will join in it. His atten-
tion to business is remarkable, and almost every
day furnishes proof of his desire to promote the in-
ternal prosperity and welfare of France.
La Liberte has coined a quaint and expressive
phrase, explanatory of Bismark policy. It calls
Germany, Germany Bismarkised.
Although the Garibaldian insurrection at Rome
is postponed for the present, it does not seem to be
abandoned. On the contrary, it is said that Gari-
baldi, who is now at Seinie, openly boasts that he
intends to go to Rome alla rinfrescata, that is to
say, when the weather shall become cool, in the
month of September. "My determination in this
respect," says Garibaldi, " is not to be shaken,
come what may."
The church of St John and St. Paul, at Venice,
which has been much injured by fire, is, after St.
Mark, the most important church in that city. In
the soft Venetian dialect it is called Zaniopolo. It
was commenced in 1240, and finished in 1430. It
is the Westminster Abbey of the ancient Republican
city. The northern side has sustained the greatest
damage, and, unfortunately, a painting by Titian,
the martyrdom of St. Peter in the forest, has been
destroyed. The church contains paintings by other
celebrated painters, one of them by Paul Veronese,
and these have been saved.
Madame Frigard, the " unpremeditated" mur-
deress, has allowed the time to pass during which
she might appeal against the sentence passed upon
her, so it is to be presumed that she is satisfied with
it. Matters might have been worse with her.
The weather to-day has been again very sultry
and oppressive, with the same indications of storm
as were prevalent yesterday. The number of
visitors to-day at the Exhibition was, I think,
greater than ever. There seems to be always some
novelty, some wonder, some attraction, which was
not perceived on your previous visit. " Custom
does not state its infinite variety." They who
are in the habit of procrastinating should remem-
ber that it will most certainly close on the 31st of
October, so the sooner they come the better.
A day or two ago, at Banditella, in the Pontifical
territory, a bandit, named Scslabrini, long the
terror of the country, met a poor priest, Don Vienza
Danti, and, seizing him by the neck, ordered him to
kneel and pray, for his last hour was come. The
priest took out his handkerchief to bandage his
eyes, as he was ordered, but at the same time he
took out a knife (every one carries a knife in Italy,
even a priest), and gave the robber two severe cuts.
A struggle took place, but the robber was too weak
from the loss of blood to continue it. The priest
gave information to the police on his escape. They
went after the brigand, who fired at them, upon
which they instantly shot him dead. The bandit
had long vowed vengeance against the priest be-
cause he had denounced his evil doings.
The Emperor and Empress arrived at Salzbourg
yesterday afternoon about five. They were received
at the station by the Emperor and Empress of
Austria, the Archduke, and the authorities of the
city. The crowd was numerous and enthusiastic,
and acclamations accompanied the progress of the
Royal party to the Imperial residence. The band
played " Partant pour la Syrie."

THE REFORM LEAGUE.

The adjourned meeting of the Executive Counc
and delegates from branches of the Reform League
was held last night at the Sussex Hall, Bouverie-
i take aieknveae
bus
loi
enmge,
street, Fleet-street—Mr. E. Beales in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting of last week had
with the expeeta-
strong measures in
attack on the rights of
beenton o f d
oppositionto
su rht uoa evtci lhn
the abominable
a btt hoo
the people contained in the Parks Regulation Bill.
He was happy, however, to be able to say that,
thanks to the attitude of the people out of doors,
and the perseverance of their friends in the House of
Commons, the Government had felt it more pru-
dent to withdraw the bill, even though it had the
support of that distinguished Liberal and ardent Re-
former, my Lord Elcho. (Cheers and laughter.)
Their meeting was, therefore, one of congratulation
at the double victory gained by the League—the
obtaining of a Reform Bill, and the defeat of the
Parks Bill. (Cheers.) With respect to the future,
the League had its work before it. Its object must
be to make the Reform Bill as effective as possible.
To do this they must agitate for the ballot, for the
abolition of the ratepaying clauses of the bill, and
for a more satisfactory scheme of redistribution of
seats. (Cheers.) They would also have to look after
the registrations, and to promote the candidatures
in different boroughs of men of advanced Liberal
principles. (Cheers.)
After a long discussion and a variety of sugges-
tions, a resolution was adopted to celebrate the vic-
tories of the League by a banquet.
The CHAIRMAN said he regretted to announce
that the Holborn branch had seceded from the
League in consequence of a slight alleged to have
been put on their delegates at the last meeting. lie
hoped the members would reconsider the question,
but, if
not, the League must go on without them.
The proceedings then terminated.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

JUPITER WITHOUT HIS SATELLITES.—That very
rare phenomenon—the simultaneous disappearance of the
four satellites of he planet Jupiter—will occur ou Wednes-
day evening next, when they will be invisible in ordinary
telescopes for one hour and 45 minutes. Jul iter will rise
in London at 7.19, ten minutes after sunset, and shortly
before 8 o'clock may be observed with his four satellites very
near him. At 8.14 the third satellite enters upon the disc
of the planet ; at 9.10 the second disappears in the shadow;
at 9.28 the fourth passes on to the disc, and is followed by
the first at 10.4. Jupiter will then bo without a visible
satellite, and will so remain until 11.49, when the third
passes off the disc; at 12.13 the second emerges from be-
hind the disc, and at 12.23 and 1.54 a.m. the first and
fourth pass off. The planet will be again surrounded by
its four attendants. This interesting phenomenon was last
witnessed by the Rev. W. R. Dawes, on Sept. 27, 1843,
when the satellites were invisible about 35 minutes. Two
or three previous instances are on record. Jupiter is at
present situate near the star Sigma Aquarii, and conse-
quently will be rather low in the heavens during the early
progress of the phenomena.
TILE NEW REFORM ACT.—Yesterday the new
Reform Act was issued. It contains 61 sections and several
schedules, extending over nine folio sheets. It is divided
into three parts—franchises, distribution of soats, and sup-
plemental provisions. Among the forms is one on the £lO
lodger franchise, "to be exercised in and after the year
1868 ;" and claims must be made to be put on the register
next year. Tore aro two short sections in the act declar-
ing that in counties and boroughs represented by three
members no person shall vote for more than two; and in
the City of London not for more than three candidates.
The registration lists of voters have been made up for next
year; end the lodger franchise cannot ho claimed until the
year 1687 or 12 months' residence.

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