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

LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1866.

The accounts from various quarters still show
that preparations for war are going on with in-
creased activity. It has been said by the official
Staats Anzeiger of Berlin that all the different
reports concur in affirming the mobilisation of the
Austrian troops to be nearly complete. In Prague

they are daily receiving means for the transport of

a number of troops, and this shows that they have
already commenced to concentrate an Austrian
army on the frontiers. Prussia, on her side, is
actively employed in making arrangements for the
concentration of a corps d'armee on the Saxon
frontier ; and, indeed, it is said that at the
Council of Ministers held yesterday in Berlin, it
was determined to mobilise the whole Prussian
army, excepting the corps d'armee in the Rhine
Provinces. The Prussian Government have like-
wise sent a Circular Despatch to their representatives
at Foreign Courts, in which they state that the ne-
gotiations respecting disarmament have failed on
account of the military preparations made by Aus-
tria in Venetia, and that this step rendered the
Italian armament necessary. As might have been
expected this despatch gives Austria the full credit
for what has occurred, and casts upon her the " full
responsibility" of what may afterwards happen.
Last evening the Government gave orders
that several of the corps d'armee should
be placed upon a war footing, and the
artillery has been mobilised. This certainly looks
as if they were in earnest. The Saxon Reply to the
imperious Note lately addressed by Prussia is very
much to the point. It states that it is not safe for
Saxony to be surprised by events in face of the
" notorious probability of war, but that she will be
willing to disarm provided guarantees for preserva-
tion of peace are given." How can these possibly
be afforded when such uncertainty exists, and while
so many indications of angry feelings exist at head-
quarters in Germany. Herr BISMARCK may
find he has overreached himself in his audacious
demands on Saxony. An extraordinary sitting
of the Federal Diet will be held to-day,
in consequence of the proposal of the Saxon Go-
vernment, which has very wisely requested the
Federal Diet to mediate on account of the Notes
sent by Prussia. It is difficult to say what can be
the object of the Berlin Cabinet in this persecution
of Saxony, unless it be that they have some under-
hand motive of annexing the kingdom to themselves
in the event of a war. Fortunately-, Baron von
BEUST seems able to cope with them as yet, and is
resolved to avoid that fatal giving in at first which
has so often proved fatal in cases where the strong
encroach upon the weak. It was conspicuously ap-
parent in the late Dano-German war. when a firmer
puLQ.,- 0.6 otlc °weer wowa aouotiess nave been pro-
ductive of happier results.
Were not the consequences that may follow upon
them likely to be so serious it would be ludicrous
to witness the conduct of the two great German
Powers. Austria has sent a Circular Despatch to
her representatives at Foreign Courts, in which she
explains why she deemed it so necessary to make
warlike preparations, and lays particular stress
upon her great desire for peace. Her preparations
are, she says, quite of a defensive nature, and ren-
dered expedient because of the Italian ones. The
fact is, that this is a very good excuse on
both sides, and serves as a pretext for the
extraordinary measures lately adopted by both
these countries. Prussia is the real cause of all the
mischief, but it is not convenient to say so just at pre-
sent. It is mentioned as likely that if Prussia should
refuse to entertain the Austrian proposals respect-
ing Schleswig-Holstein: that a motion will be
' brought forward in the Federal Diet to give Hol-
stein a vote, and admit its representative to the
Federal Diet. Holstein will fare badly if it ex-
changes Austria for Prussia as its director ;
and we are glad to find indications on the
part of the Vienna Government that they
will stand by the Duchy to the last. Pr us-
sia, in order to gain time, has proposed that
the Duke of OLDENBURG should be put forward as
s candidate to the Schleswig-Holstein throne, and
no doubt then the real dictator and prime mover
will be the Prussian Sovereign. This will be in case
of opposition, events rendering it necessary to re-
linquish the cherished object of annexation in a
direct form.

Attempts have been made in various quarters to
prevent war. Lord BLOOMFIELD has told Count
MENSDORFF that if Austria should renew her peace-
ful offer to Prussia, England would strenuously
support its expediency at the Prussian Court.
Much good that would do, judging from
our recent experience. The fact is, that the
day for our influence with Prussia has gone by, in
consequence of the.mismanagenaent of the Danish
affair. The anxiety that was shown last night to
get the house counted out, when Mr. GRIFFITH ex-
pressed his opinion on the critical state of Continen-
tal affairs just now, is significant enough. Ministers
want to shrink the discussion, which is a very mis-
taken policy on their part. The Emperor of RUSSIA
has given a very plain hint to Prussia, for he states
in an autograph letter that he would, in case of war,
remember the family relations which exist between
himself and several German princely families. The
Italian Government seem now trying to moderate
their conduct, but all will be of no avail in prevent-
ing war, unless Prussia change her course of action
in a very decided manner. On her rest the onus of
deciding if peace shall continue or war intervene ;
and until a truer policy rule the councils of that
kingdom, we can place no reliance whatever upon
all the professions that are being made, for the
other Powers will not be able to prevail against her
decisions, whatever they be.

Among our many sources of national wealth
one is undoubtedly very much neglected. The Irish
Fisheries are better appreciated by the inhabitants
of other countries than by those who live on their
shores, although one might naturally suppose that
they would be of the greatest possible advantage to a
poor and ill-employed population. The Dutch at
one time established a profitable trade in connection
with the Irish fisheries, yet, strange to say, the Irish
themselves have neva succeeded h turning them