The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-28 00:00:00

Sun.

LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 28, 1866.

~-

Lord COWLEY'S visit to this count
gives rise to many surmises, and it is indeed an in--
Ty naturally
fallible sign that our Government is now quiteaee
of
in
earnest in its endeavours to maintain the
Pe
Europe unbroken. The interests of prussic appear
to be of much more consequence in
ethel
- eyes of our
Ministers than the claims which Denmark had on
us a short time ago, and we can now appreciate to
its full extent the folly of those remarks which
alluded to the necessity of any non-intervention.
We hear nothing of this now, but we appear, on the
contrary, to be most intent on mixing our-
selves un with the affairs of Germany.
Perhaps there are so many difficulties in
the way of adjusting matters that it was considered
expedient for an Ambassador to explain things at
head-quarters, and impart his views on the subject.
At
any rate it seems that we are now to have a
Conference, whatever be the result. The Ministers
for u Forei-6 Affairs will represent the different
Powers at the Conference and express their views
on the subjects which
Confederation wexcite so much interest.
The Germanic
will choose a repre-
sentative from among the
Ministers of the Middle
States. We are not surprised that they should wish
to be represented at this important
juncture,
although various hints hue been
given that
it was not necessary for them to be
so. The Moniteur of Saturday mor •
lung con-
firms the despatch of the English, French,
and
Russian Cabinets of the Notes for the
assembly of
a Conference, which is to meet in Paris at the 1
earliest possible time. La France of last night
states that the first communications exchanged with
the Powers " between whom differences exist leave
no doubt upon their determination to take part in
the Conference." This did not seem so evident at
the outset of the affair; but perhaps the journals of
Paris were better informed than we could be
under the circumstances. The Pays goes still
further, and says that it is possible the Conference
may become a Congress to which the other Powers
will be invited. It also alludes to the chances of a
" peaceful settlement," which it considers Will de-

pend upon the following circumstances. Venetia
to be exchanged for an equivalent territory on the
Adriatic, the Elbe Duchies to be annexed to
Prussia, with the reservation of the restitution. of
Northern Schleswig to Denmark, and the Rhine
territories to be erected into a separate German
State, forming part of the Confederation as a con-
sequence of Federal Reform. This is certainly
retributive justice for Denmark, and points a fine
moral to Prussia for the grasping course she has
pursued, in connection with Austria, during the
whole of the Schleswig-Holstein affair.

No wonder we find it asserted that the "dan-
ger of war" is not yet over, when we find so many
States thus intent on their own selfish end, instead
of seeking to effect the general good by every
means in their power. The fact is that a very
fatal precedent was established two years ago,
when we allowed Prussia and Austria thus to mono-
polise the German D uchies to themselves. Many ex-
perienced persons declared at the time that we dil not
then see the end of the matter, and their sombre
prognostications have been only too fully verified.
Now we hear of France taking the Rhine ; of
this, that, and the other territory being sought
after by the different Powers of the Continent ;
and we know full well that some of these mis-
chances would have occurred had things gone on
as they should have done. Prussia seems fully
determined in opposing all she can, and now it is
said that she objects to the presence of a repre-
sentative of the Federal Diet at the Congress.

How absurd this is, because surely the Diet
should be represented as much as the
other interests of Germany ; but there is
no accounting for prejudices. In point of fact
both Austria and Prussia ars most difficult Powers
to deal with; they are full of fancies and schemes,
and determined to uphold them to the utmost of
their abilities. Austria has been most ungracious
from the first whisper of a Conference being ut-
tered, and we now find it said that she will discuss
the question of compensation under " certain re-
servations." Life is almost too short to allow of
the fulfilment of all these complicated schemes, and
it seems a sad waste of the time of statesmen thus to
discuss over and over again the various plans and
projects in which German politics abound. In
consequence of the long peace that we have enjoyed
in common with our French neighbours, the affairs
of Germany have been of paramount importance of
late years ; but, unfortunately, with one thing and
another, too much latitude has been allowed to the
different Powers, and we are all now to reap the
effect of such dire mismanagement.

The South German States have contrived to
effect their object, and have made it clearly
understood that they will remain neutral. The
Prussian Cabinet has, therefore, determined to
" seek no alliance" with the North German States,
but their neutrality is also desired. Herr von
BISMARCK has reckoned without his host in thinking
that he would be able to secure the co-operation of

these several States. lie made a similar mistake in
his belief that the Prussian people would approve
of the war into which he has sought to plunge them,
and from which he may not yet be able to extricate
himself, try how he may.

This evening the much-vexed question of Reform
will again come up for consideration. The mem-
bers of the House of Commons have done with their
year's holidays, and must now address themselves
in earnest to the settlement of the several measures
which imperatively demand attention. 'They have
re-united their scattered forces, and to-night the
tug of war is to recommence. The declaration of
the Government, that it is willing to accept Mr.
BOUVERIE'S suggestion, and refer both bills
to the same committee, has not succeeded
in extricating them from their difficulties,
for the list of notices is sufficient to alarm the
most sanguine and confident Cabinet. The most
formidable is Captain HAYTER'S amendment to Mr.
BOUVERIE'S motion, in which he declares that the
system of grouping proposed in the Government
measure is neither convenient nor equitable, and that
the scheme of her MAJESTY'S Government is no t
sufficiently matured to form the basis of a satisfac-
tory measure. This reopens the whole discussion
again, and if there are any more arguments than
those used, or words to express them in, re-
specting the pros and cons. of Reform, we
shall have the debates and disputes about con-
stitutions and revolutions disinterred and resusci-
tated. The House, like the country, has happily
wellnigh had enough of such theories, and is in-
clined out of mere weariness to come to the prac-
tical side of the question. Moderate men on both
sides feel that they may go further and fare worse.
Notwithstanding the defects and deficiencies of the
Government measure, it is not likely to produce any
startling or sudden changes. If it is rejected now, the
country disappointed and the whole question shuf-
fled off till another session, it is very unlikely that

.be aspect of the political horizon will be equally

favourable. Abroad, it is true, there are clouds
and threatening storms ; but our domestic atmos-
phere is tranquil and untroubled. Next year we
cannot tell how far we may be dragged into the
whirlpool of continental disturbance—how much
wars and rumours of wars may engross our ener-
gies and our means. Surely it will be wise to
avail ourselves of so good an opportunity when
neither popular excitement at home nor threatening
dangers abroad will interfere with our considera-
tion of the question. The Conservatives will do
wisely to allow this great stumbling-block to be
removed out of their way, while, if they really fear
the consequences of the change, they will accept
the £7 franchise rather than risk the postponement
another year,
when extreme pressure may drive
them to accept a
£5 or £4.

The other notices, without Mr. BOUVERIE'S
and Mr. HAXTER'S, make up a goodly list. Mr.
KINGLAKE'S, indeed, is now superfluous, seeing that
the Bill for the Redistribution of Seats is actually
before the House, but there still remains Mr.
MARTIN'S, protesting against the proposed dis-
franchisement of the dockyard workmen ; Mr.
GRANT'S, which, after a long preamble, objects to
the Ministerial Bill in toto ; Mr. GRIFFITH'S, propos-
plurality of votes should be conferred
thethebetftrearnchpirseev;entiSoinr
upon
npgo
n thatthe
asuperior classes of voters, to counteract
swiitAhlra.
Rt h. e
Ke effect
TLOEfy,sl,o wfeorri n g
view to establish working-class of bribery and corruption
STANIL i
AND'S, ; IllalSrS.CSoAnNsDtiFtu°eßinc'sie
referring the manner of
ing ; Sir A. BULLER'S, re
a new method of group-
suggesting
ing that
the electors ; and Sir F. HEYGATE' S, declar -
grouping to represented boroughs to the decision of
the Province of -Ulster has a right to keep its pre-
sent share of the representation. Past all these
rocks the steersman must guide his vessel, and he
will need no little skill and caution to accomplish
his task with safety. his chief danger lies on his own
side, for the Opposition, having tried their strength
in supporting Earl GROSVENOR'S amendment, are
not likely to organise a formidable resistance to the
bill. They may, indeed, attempt to alter and
modify it in its progress through Committee, and
those who are really auxiouz to
get the question
settled had better address themselves to this end.
The bill can no doubt be improved, and there is a