The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-24 00:00:00

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Sept. 23, Two o'clock.—Very little
change in quotations, but a certain weakness is
apparent. Threes are at 69f. 1" /c., or sc. lower.
Italian Fives 48f. 65c., with an advance of sc.
Credit Mobilier are very weak, at 225 f., or sf. lower.
Spanish Mobilier, advanced 10f., at 190 f. Credit
Foncier without change at 1,325 f. Comptoir
d'Escompte lose 2f. 50c., at 665 f. French Railway
shares are weak—Northern declined 5f., at 1,160 f.;
Lyons, 7f. 50c., at 892 f. ; Orleans, 375 f., at 890 f.
Three o'clock.—The close was as follows :
Bank Share• 3320
Italian Loan 4B 55
Do. end month 4B 60
Mexican Loan ll
Do. Bonds lOl 25
Spanish Threes ~ 3l 50
Home Debt —

41- per Cents 9B 50
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 69 20
Do. end month 69 20
Credit Mobilier 221 25
Do. end Month
Credit Fonder 1;30
De. end month 1328 75
RAIL'

Deferred
AYS.

For Account.
Orleans - 895
Northern ll6O
Lyons and Mediterranean 895
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian 55

Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman •••

481 25
380 -
57 -
80 50

BA DEN AND PRUSSIA.

CARLSRUHE, Sept 21.

The Baden Government has laid before the Cham-
bers, for their assent, the treaty of alliance concluded
with Prussia upon the 17th August last year. The
treaty has been already published, but, upon being
recently brought before the Diet, was accompanied
by the following declaration :

" When the Grand Ducal Government submitted
to the Chambers, upon the 14th October last year,
the treaty of peace concluded between Baden and
Prussia upon the previous 17th August, it was not
in a position to produce at the same time the treaty
of alliance agreed upon between both States. The
secret character of this treaty imposed upon the Go-
vernment the duty of avoiding every reference to the
subject, much as it would have desired to give the
assurance, and produce the proof,that the desire ex-
pressed by the Chambers for an offensive and defen-
sive alliance with Prussia was already fulfilled. The
temporary observance of secresy was necessitated by
the general political situation in which the treaty
was concluded. The re-establishment of peace was
at that time not yet fully secured ; powerful rival-
ries threatened mutual opposition, and although it
was precisely this danger that made the closer con-
nection of Baden and the whole of South Germany
with Prussia and her allies seem all the more neces-
sary, it was yet essential carefully to avoid compro-
mising the defensive objects of the alliance, and af-
fording any species of cause or pretext for the re-
newal of war.

" The grounds recommending, after the dissolution
of the Germanic Confederation and the triumph of
the Prussian arms, the immediate conclusion of a
military alliance with North Germany in case of war,
were expressed in your debates upon the peace
treaty last year. They may be briefly stated as set-
ting forth that with the formal secession of Austria
from Germany, and after her abandonment of all
participation in the reorganisation, it was only in
connexion with their North German kindred that
Baden and the remaining South German States
could find that support of the national dignity and
interests, and that amount of security, without which
the development of their domestic State institutions
is impossible. As, and so long as, external circum-
stances oppose a more intimate organic and consti-
tutional union of the still separated portions of Ger-
many, the aforesaid benefits are only to be attained
by the way of international treaty, and first with
regard to the questions upon which combined action
of the German States and Governments is unavoid-
ably necessary, and cannot be postponed. These
points are security for the integrity' of the national
boundaries fixed by events, and their maintenance
for a common and undivided customs territory.
64 In recognition of these circumstances and re-
quirements the remaining South German States also
have concluded not only peace, but alliances with
Prussia, and, like Baden, have readily lent their
hands to a renewal and reorganisation of the Zoll-
verein treaty. The alliance treaties of South Ger-
many with Prussia and the renewed Zollverein treaty
laid before you fulfilled those most pressing necessi-
ties, and at the same time afforded a basis for the
prosperous and peaceful further construction of
common national institutions.

" The treaties of alliance between the South and
North of Germany are nothing but the expression
of a universally acknowledged domestic want.
Nothing can be further from their intention than an
offensive or aggressive character ; they confirm the
consciousness of natural affinity, and the will to
preserve and protect it. The transfer of the com-
mand in chief, in case of war, to his Majesty the
King of Prussia is called for by the overwhelming
greatness and power of the Prussian State and of the
North German Confederation placed under its
direction, and is justified by the tried efficiency of
its military system and institutions. Even in the
previously existing Confederation the Baden
troops were subordinated to superior command.
The experience gained in recent times as to the
dangers of divided military command must urgently
recommend unity and unweakened action in the
serious event of war.
" The Grand Ducal Government has at no time
and in no quarter concealed its views and principles
with regard to German policy, but has, upon the
cont.r .ry, on every occasion admitted its desire to
aid according to its ability and powers in promoting
the union of Germany. When it observed silence for
a time respecting the progress in this direction evi-
denced by its treaty of alliance w ith Prussia, it
simply obeyed the dictates of political wisdom."

THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS COMMISSION.—The
Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the pollution
of rivers, &c., under the presidency of Mr. Henry Rawlin-
son, C. 8., will resume its sittings next month. It is un-
derstood that the commissioners will proceed, in the first
instance, to Lancaster and Blackburn, to inquire into the
alleged pollution of the rivers in that neighbourhood,
which is expected to occupy some considerable time, and
will then extend their inquiry into North and South