The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-18 00:00:00

the preamble alludes to the recent events that have
taken place. We learn that Prussia did not embark
in the war with the intention of acquiring territory;
the hostile attitude of the above-named States has
required that their independence should cease. Can
anything be more untrue than this? and of what
avail is it that such professions should be
made when no one can credit their veracity ?
Every one knows that if these States referred
to had been left alone that they could have
done no harm to Prussia, and therefore it is a very
inconclusive argument to put forward that it was
necessary to put a period to their independence.
We may also observe that there is in this statement
a departure from the ordinary remarks that have
been made concerning the advantage that would
accrue to all places that were put under the dominion
of Prussia. Instead of this we have the unsatis-
factory announcement made that "it is to be hoped
in course of time the populations of the annexed
countries will be thoroughly satisfied with the incor-

poration." This is perhap3 a more truthful statement
than many that emanate from such informants, but
what becomes of the necusity of the numerous inti.

mations of the Berlin journals, that this and that

population were so extremely anxious to be annexed
to the Prussian Crown. As for the realisation of
the wish, it cannot be said that there is much chance

of its fulfilment. If the said States do not like the
incorporation in prospect, there is every probability
of practice making it still more unpalatable. Count
BIS3IARCK, of course, interfered, as usual, with some
unnecessary stipulation, and trusted that the Diet

would leave the details of the accomplishment of
the bill in the hands of the KING, who would
act with the necessary consideration. If any

attention is shown to the feelings of those
who have been by the adverse result of the war put
under the dominion of Prussia, all we can say is,
that it will be something pith new, and will pre-
sent the KING and his Ministers to us in quite a new
aspect. No one has seen anything but the most
domineering conduct displayed towards all who are
unfortunate enough to be at the mercy of the
Berlin authorities, and it looks very suspicious, to
say the least of it, that the details of this measure
should be kept in the background. If they are so
wise, kind, and beneficial, why are they not pub-
licly disclosed ? No doubt a great deal will be

done in a covert manner, and many transac-
tions take place that will not bear the light
of day, before the whole of these annexations are
completed in a manner satisfactory to Herr Von
BISMARK. After the conclusion of the peace further
communications respecting Schleswig-Holstein will
be made to the Diet, which may be supposed to
mean that, when itis too late to raise any objection,
the information of what has been done will be
imparted.

Count BISMARCK also explained the views and
intentions of the Government respecting the
general policy to be adopted in the German ques-
tions, and stated that, in order to carry out
the annexations cautious proceedings would be neces-
sary. Three courses were before them—namely,
complete annexation, partial annexation, or the
maintenance of the princes with a participation in
their sovereign rights. Of these it was considered
that the first was the most suitable, for reasons
which, of course, are apparent to every one who
has watched the tendencies of Prussian policy. The
practical requirements of the time, said this Court,
were opposed to the immediate introduction of the
constitution for Germany as voted by the Parlia-
ment of 1848, which may be fairly supposed
to mean that it is desirable to get every-

thing under the domination of Berlin before
any decided change or alteration take place in the
state of Germany. According to the intelligence
that is received from France, it appears that there
is no doubt of the pacific demeanour of the Ger-
mans at present, and whatever intention they had at
one time of proceeding to extremities, they have now
abandoned them, for reasons best known to them-
selves. It is now said that there was no "specific
demand" on the subject of the rectification of the
French frontier which had been made by France to
Prussia, but that M. DEOUYN DE L'lluvs sent
a despatch to the Berlin Cabinet, requiring to
learn the extent to which Prussia would
carry out her annexation ; and adding, that if these
alterations interfered with the balance of power,
Prance might perhaps deem it necessary to ask for
some compensation. This was not the same as
if a decided demand was made, and a refusal on the
part of Prussia of course did not entail the necessity
of going to war. If this account of the recent
communications that have passed between the two
great Powers be true, the course pursued by the
French seems more consistent than it did a few
days ago, and perhaps the Prussians may take the
hint, and forbear to press their advantage too far.
It is satisfactory to find that the Emperor NAPO-
LEON has sent a letter to the King of the BELGIANS,
in which he declares that he has no desire to inter-

fere with the Belgian territory, and that he is
anxious for the prosperity of the royal family of
Belgium and of the Belgian people. We never be-
lieved that such an idea was entertained by his
Majesty, but as the rumour had been pretty exten-
sively circulated, it is quite as well for it to be con-
tradicted at once in a decided manner. It is said
that the camp at Chalons is to be broke
up shortly, if not immediately, and various
circumstances that have transpired have caused
an impression to be made in Paris that
the health of the Emperor NAPOLEON 15 in a very
unfavourable state. Perhaps it is the uncertain
state of his health that has induced him to put off,
for the present at any rate, an encounter which
must at the best severely tax his strength of body
and powers of mind ; but for the truth of this, as
well as for other matters connected with the affair,
we must wait for the solution of the future ; but
we know, at any rate, that the state of the Con-
tinent just now is in a most unsatisfactory condition.