The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-18 00:00:00

they do not seem to intend much opposition to come
from them.

Prussia is far less easy to comprehend in her
manoeuvres and her mysteries. Her open resistance
is made to anything ; but insidious propositions
the
made and projects formed that, in
aspect of the case very much, and greatly militate
against the scheme from what its originators
thatthe
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intended.
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Con-
gress, but they put in the reservation that prelimi-
nary negotiations should take place as to the pro-
gramme to be adopted. This is quite ridiculous,
because it will take quite as much time and trouble
to discuss these as to settle the main point of dis-
pute, and if any altercation arises during this part
of the business all is lost for the chance of future
arrangement. It is said that the chances of a Con-
gress taking place have tended greatly to tranquillise
the public mind in Berlin, but how far they
are justified in attaching any importance to
such an idea remains to be seen. There has been
no relaxation in the preparation of armaments, and
the " concentration " of troops is also proceeding,
so that the negotiations forpeace may be exchanged
for the asperities of war. The military circles do
not put much faith in these reports of a Congress,
and no wonder, when they know so well how much
is being done in quite a contrary direction. A
greater desire is experienced among the Austrians
for the declaration of war than among the
Prussians, and loyal addresses are constantly
being received by the EMPEROR from the
different towns. Nor does Austria yield to
Prussia in energy of preparation for war ; on all
sides there seems to be no loss of time incurred,
and no means neglected that can at all conduce to
the state of readiness for emergencies. The Middle
States have, it is said, declared that they do not
consider it necessary for Austria to be any longer
bound by the Gastein Convention, and infer, in
fact, that until she removes all obligations to the
Treaty in question, they cannot afford her any
active co-operation. There is certainly no valid
reason to adduce which compels Austria to be fettered
any more by the conditions then imposed upon her.
It was a very one-sided affair from the beginning,
and although of course both parties were to blame,
still Piussia so manifestly took the lion's share to
herself that the greatest part of the responsibility
of the transaction rested with her. If, however,
the question of the Duchies is settled, it must be in
a fair spirit, and not in the remotest degree accord-
ing to the mode formerly practised. If Austria
would really shake off the fatal influence of Prussia,
and emancipate herself from the evils which the
councils of Berlin have brought upon her, she
must turn over a new leaf, and act more in
conformity with constitutional rights both at home
and abroad. Many may rejoice at the prospect of
a Conference, but where is the use of it unless the
offending parties intend to sink their prejudices and
to yield their pretensions. A patched-up peace will
be of no use. The nations of Europe that have
been eagerly asking for the cause of this sudden dis-
play of armaments will require something lasting
and satisfactory in place of a temporary affair that
proves to be but the illusion of an hour. It is
said that it is intended at the next sitting of
the Federal Diet that the representatives of the
Middle States shall demand that Austria and
Prussia be requested to explain the reason of their
armaments. Great importance is attached to the
reply of Prussia, because it is thought likely to give
rise to some important decisions.