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

of the Austrian propositions. We
,-T
do not see either
that we can depend much upon the pacific 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-
crimination. 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-
lered 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