The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-23 00:00:00

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of the Austrian propositions. . We .onot sheet er
that we can depend much upon the p.acific declara-
tions made by the Prussian and Austrian represen-
tatives at the Federal Diet, because nothing is more
likely than that they will go on talking of peace
until they are fairly launched into war.
It is said in another account that it is the inten-
tion of Prussia to lay before the Federal Diet a
proposal for the reform of the present consular
system, to be carried out under her own superin-
tendence. This last passage is very significant,
and exactly corresponds with the policy all along
pursued by Prussia. Indeed, no one who is at all
well informed in the affairs of Germany during the
last few years, will be idle enough to expect any
good to come from the meeting of the Federal Diet.
It is quite impossible to do anything definite without
the sanction and concurrence of Prussia, and yet at
the same time it is certain that she will agree
to nothing that does not rivet her power more
securely and increase her influence in all directions.
Nothing can effect any lasting good in the machi-
nations of war or in the arrangements of peace
which does not curb and control the pretensions of
that Power. Already there are many signs appa-
rent which show that the course pursued by Herr
Von BISMARCK has been a most mischievous one,
and threatens to involve himself and all around him
in difficulty if not in danger. The lesser States and

the small Principalities are getting quite weary
of their position, and are justly indignant at the
treatment that they have received from Prussia. At
Dantzic on Saturday a meeting of the Liberal
Association of the town was held, and resolutions
were passed at it, which condemned the policy of
Prussia. A popular meeting has also taken place
at Erlanger, at which resolutions condemning war
were agreed to. No doubt the Prussian Govern-
ment consider all this beneath their notice ; but the
day may speedily come when they will bitterly
regret having put all against them after
this fashion. In times of peace it is all very
well for a strong nation to sneer at advice
and to turn a deaf ear to the wisest counsel, but it
is otherwise when the blast of war is sounded.
Situated as Prussia is, she will find the inconveni-
ence of having no real ally to
_depend upon in the
event of hostilities occurring.
Among other things settled at the meeting at
Ausburg on Saturday, it was decided that the Prus-
sian proposal should be discussed upon certain con-
ditions. These were, that both the great German
Powers should disarm, that the question of the

Duchies should be kept distinctly from the question

of the reform of the Federal Constitution, and
also that a reform of the Federal Pact shall be con-
sidered before the question of the Convocation of
the German Parliament. This is not very favour-
able to the views of Prussia, but it shows great dis-

erimination. The line of distinction drawn between
the discussion of the Duchy question and the dis-
cussion of the Reform of the Constitution is a very
wise proposition, and we trust that it will be ad-
hered to without any change. Altogether, consider-
ing the nature of the request made by the Austrian
Government and the feeling displayed by the
Middle State, we do not think that Prussia will
be suffered to rule again in a hurry with the same
high hand that she has done heretofore. If war

should supervene, we do not know where she will
find an ally, much less a friend, -while enemies
abound in all directions. If peace should last we do
not believe that Herr BISMARCK will retain office,
and if he do not he will be curtailed in his expecta-
tions, and not allowed to have everything his own
way.

The terrible list of shipwrecks and disasters at
sea, which has carried desolation to so many homes
during the past winter, has also served to direct
public attention very forcibly to the risks and con-
tingencies to which marine interests are exposed.
The insurance system, which is now so widely ex-
tended, undertakes, it is true, to guarantee the

holders of property against the malign influences of
the elements, and marine insurance forms no less

important an item of our commercial affairs than

fire and life policies. It is, indeed, if report speaks
truly, an older branch of the business, though,

_ .
unlike the others, it did not originate in this 1
country. It is said that the Venetians first
practised it systematically, and this is not impro-
bable, considering the extent and the nature of their
marine enterprises, but at any rate it has been in
existence for three or four centuries, though not
introduced into England until the beginning of the
seventeenth century. It has been, as might be sup-

posed, remarkably successful in this country, where
the system commended itself to the natural pru-
dence of the people, and served in some measure to
counterbalance the heavy risks to which our mer-
chants and shipowners are exposed from the stormy
weather so frequent in these latitudes, and from the
exposed nature of our coasts.
A project has lately been set on foot to
diminish the risks and responsibilities attaching
to marine insurance, which are in some cases very
heavy. An underwriter, it is said, cannot rightly
estimate his profits by taking the ordinary average.
He must take the aggregate of two or three years,
so as to include the stormy seasons which are sure to
come occasionally, although irregularly. A stormy
season is generally expected every other year, but,
of course, there can be no certainty in the case, as
there may be a succession of storms, or a series of
mild winters. This last season has been a very
costly one to the underwriters, the losses of
the London, the Amalia, and other great
vessels, only representing a tithe of the mischief
done amongst our shipping. There are several
other considerations to be taken into account with
regard to marine insurance, which need not trouble-
the assurer against fire. The construction and age
of the vessel, the skill and experience of the cap-
tain, the character of the owners, whether prudent
or speculative, the nature of the voyage to be
undertaken, the description of the cargo, the time of
the year, and, finally, the state of our political rela-
tions. In countries like England and America,
whose commerce affords so tempting a field for the
enemy that it is almost certain to be one of the first
points of attack, the condition of foreign affairs
forms a very important item in the underwriter's
calculations. Since the opening of the Session Mr.
GRIFFITHS brought forward a motion to the effect,
that property ought tob efree frwoomulcdaputsuere
herby sea,
and praying Her
MAJESTY e
ra
opinion
i n of
i
in-
fluence to make that exemip,thioongerut nallx inr
international maritime Jaw.
of the house was, however,. adverse to the motion,
on the ground that hostilities would gain in dura-
tion what they lost in severity, so that there would
be little or no advantage. The Attorney-General
was of this opinion, and Mr. GRIFFITHS withdrew
his motion, so that the marine insurance companies

remain in the same position as heretofore.
The suggestion we have referred to is contained in
an article* which sets out by declaring that the pre-
sent rates of insurance are too low for a safe and re-

munerative average, and yet the premiums are still
gradually declining. Whether this is due to exces-
sive competition or to the nature of the business
is not certain but at any rate it is certain that in
this, as in all similar cases, the solvency of the coin-

4' "Narixte Insurance." The Bullioda, April 14,