The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-19 00:00:00

oqlin• .1. A

LONDON, SATURDAY, 2IIAY 19, 1866.

i is now no longer any doubt as to a
Congressaere being in view. Last night, in reply to
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE, the Earl of
CLARENDON stated that official, indeed confidential,

communications were going on at the present
moment, and it was to be hoped that the conse-
quences might be that a meeting of all the Powers
concerned would take place, both neutrals and those
who were now in arms. The noble Earl spoke
fairly, and declared that he could hold out no hope
of those proceedings terminating in peace, but he
thought that certainly some " expectation of an
amicable result" might be entertained. So far this is
satisfactory for the interests of peace. MrLAYA RD, in
the House of Commons, also alluded to the subject,
in reply to Mr. S.ANDFORD, and stated negotiations
were going on between England, France, and
Russia, with a view to the assembling of a Con-
gress, but of course the hon. gentleman could not
go into particulars. Certainly, whether a Con-
gress is assembled at Paris or not, it is a great
triumph for the French Emperor that such a
thing should be attempted. Had the wishes of
the Emperor been attended to two yearn ago no
doubt much of the present confusion that has
occurred would have been • prevented, but the
perversity of our own Government prevented its
taking place when first proposed. Inasmuch as it
is a triumph to the Emperor Louis NAPOLEON, it is a
mortification to Earl RUSSELL, and the noble Earl
must at least be glad that he has not to interfere
so much in the matter as if he were still Foreign
Secretary. It is extremely doubtful if the labours ,
of the Congress at this most critical juncture will
be able to conduce to the same profitable ends as
they would have done at an earlier period ; but, at
all events, Russia will be still more deeply compro-
mised, in the opinion of all straightforward and in-
dependent persons, if the deliberations fail to pro-
duce any favourable impressions. Perhaps the
Berlin Government are too much infatuated
to pay any attention to the expressed desire of
the nations of Europe, and indeed may be too com-
plicated in consequence of so many States being
armed, to admit of a general cessation from military
preparations, and a return to a state of settled
peace. Of course the near approach of a
Congress is now the chief topic of thought
and discussion on the Continent, and has
for the moment eclipsed the hitherto engrossing
subject of war. The Independance Beige has given
full details of the plan of the proposed Congress.
In the first place, the Schleswig-Holstein
question is to be submitted to the deci-
sion of the inabitants ; in the second, that the
proposal of Prussia as relating to Federal Reform
should be examined, inasmuch as it affects the
equilibrium of Europe ; and, thirdly, that Venetia
should be ceded to Italy for a certain compensa-
tion, " Italy guaranteeing and recognising the
temporal sovereignty of the POPE within its pre-
sent limits." During the sittings of the Congress
the antagonistic Powers are to maintain their ar-
t maments. France, England, and Russia are to
propose that all the " pending questions" shall
be discussed, including' the Italian question.
Prussia is supposed to be likely to agree
to this last, but Austria's adhesion is not
considered probable ; on the other hand,
however, we do not see that there are any grounds 1
for expecting that Prussia will consent to the Schles-
wig-Holstein question being treated in the manner
above proposed; and, if so, what will become of the
Congress, and what will be the good effects of its
assembling? As yet nothing definite can be ex-
pected, because Austria, Prussia, and Italy have not
given their consent to the plan of the Congress,
and, of course, until they have done so, we
can only conjecture, and cannot come to any
conclusion as to the effects likely to ensue.
A very just view is . taken of the pre-
sent " situation" by the Vienna Presse, and in
an article on the relations between Austria and
Prussia, it states that a mere change of Cabinet in
Berlin just now could be productive of no very good
effect, even if accompanied by a relinquishment of
the policy of annexation, which bas wrought such
evils of late. In pursuing the theme, it remarks
that the quiet of Germany cannot be insured by
these means alone, and that " guarantees are re-
quired that Prussia will never more enter upon a
course calculated to give her an undue supremacy
over the minor States." In order to secure this de-
sirable end, it is proposed that the political institu-
tions of Germany should be reorganised in a
manner hostile to Prussia. It is considered that

nothing will make this refractory kingdom consent
to such mortifying terms but open war, and hence
it is emphatically declared, " peace in our eyes is
neither possible nor desirable ; a fortunate war
against Prussia would bring about an acceptable
solution of the great German problem : it would
lead to the aggrandisement of the principal among
the minor States, thus producing a better balance of
power than has as yet existed." There is more in all
this than mere political animadversion, for those who
have attentivelly studied the affairs of Germany
must see and recognise the truth of these strictures,
and acknowledge the dangers that menace the
whole of Germany from the -undue influence of
Prussia. Encouraged by the latitude afforded her
by this country, and emboldened by her late suc-
cesses, it would indeed seem as if nothing was able

to stop her reckless course of aggression and annexa-

tion. To weaken Prussia, declares the Presse, is
to promote the security, and with it the
peace and prosperity of Germany. In another
important organ of the Vienna press, the
Sontag Zeitung, we find an impressive passage
to the same effect. It is said that "to anni-
hilate Prussia is the only means of protecting this
empire against decay and dismemberment. Only

which is
in Germany to herself that preponderance
When Prussia has been destroyed will
•
Austria secure
necessary to her existence." Prussia is now reaping
as she has sown. The dishonest manner
in which
she has carried on her negotiations with Austria,
and the cool contempt with which she has treated
those she called her allies, have done her great dis-
service, and now that the opportunity has arrived
for free speaking, no wonder strange revela-
tions should be made. It is stated in Vienna
that no progress has been made in the negotiations
between coluA 131p.tacx and Count EdizoLyi,