The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-07 00:00:00

a Note to its diplomatic agents, which, it is said,
must have the effect of removing any remaining
feeling of disquietude that may exist. All this
sounds very reassuring, but the doubt may be raised
why, if everything is in so placid and peaceful a
state, is it necessary to have these constant commu-
nications on the subject? The world is getting well-
nigh worn out with these German intrigues and these
reiterated statements that all is right, and begins
shrewdly to suspect that something is very wrong
in certain quarters. It is quite useless, in fact, for
those nations which cannot, or will not, agree
to go on after this fashion, and asseverate
their good intentions and friendly feelings,
all the time that each is secretly watching the other,
and planning and counterplanning to circumvent
its projects and schemes. The news of French
armaments fills Berlin with indignation if not
with anxiety ; while the information that
the Prussian authorities are on the alert
in their preparations sets all the French press in
a fury, while it occasions complications in Paris.
It is much to be questioned if this mode of Mini-
sterial notes and addresses is a very wise one ; if it
ever did any good we fear that the day has gone by
for its efficacy. Like many other things it has been
tried too often, and,what is worse for its reputation
of sincerity, it has been resorted to in doubtful
cases to gain time and answer ends. The conse-
quence is, that no matter how carefully-chosen the
words, how emphatic the expressions, or compre-
hensive the declarations, the effect of these notes,
circulars, or despatches, goes very little further
than the Cabinet of the Minister who draws them
up. Upon the general public they have very little
influence. Allowing, for the sake of argument,
that nothing transpired at the interview at Salzburg
to give rise to rumours of war, that does not better
the previous posture of affairs, which all know was
not satisfactory, nor were its indications peaceful.
The attitude of the French press is certainly a
significant one, and its ceaseless diatribes
against Prussia and her whole policy must
illustrate some turn of mind or turn
of sentiment irrevocably hostile to the
Berlin Government. The French Government has
been much blamed for keeping up its military pre-
parations, but upon reflection we hardly see how
they can do otherwise with impunity. Who can
venture to predict what course Prussia will take
before long ? And as for that German unity of
which we hear so much, no wise politician would
give much for the duration of the unity that exists
through conquest, that is only maintained at the
point of the sword, and at the sacrifice
of all social liberty of actual speech.
It may seem a churlish thing to do, but we suspect
it is the safest course to adopt--to take all these
notes and circulars as far as they go and no further,
and those who trust too much to the promises
therein made may sooner or later deplore their
credulity. So many false statements have been
made with respect to the policy of Prussia—and
the worst that has been predicted of her intentions
has so often been more than verified—that no
statesman of much experience will trust to her, but
will carefully watch the tendency of her changes
and watch his course accordingly.