The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-04 00:00:00

41 ..111,.."...........".-- _
very great, so Mr. GLADSTONE, with a great flourish
of trumpets, proposes to reduce it from one penny
to one farthing per mile I Really, having gone so
far, he need not have spoiled the grace of the
gift by the retention of the quarter. Seeing
that the total amount produced is about
£120,000, the difference between that sum and
the £85,000 which he removes, would scarcely dis-
turb the Exchequer. But the Chancellor is occa-
sionally given to such partial reductions, which are
very unsatisfactory and disappointing to the
claimants, while making no sensible difference to
the taxpayers. In the same way he proposed at one
time when the total abolition of the Advertisement
Duty was being eagerly sought for to reduce it
from one shilling and sixpence to sixpence--a boon
which the agitators plainly declined to receive. I

The more important part of Mr. GLADSTONE'S
proposals referred to the reduction of the National
Debt. Thoughtful men have long admitted the
wisdom and necessity of availing ourselves of a time
of profound peace and rapidly increasing wealth
to make some effort towards lightening
the heavy burden which weighs upon the industry
of the nation, and which, comparatively unfelt now,
might in darker times become an overwhelming
weight. Mr. GLADSTONE, in discussing the subject,
showed all his customary ability, and his proposal,
though moderate enough in itself, only amounting
to the payment of thirty-six millions in twenty
years, was founded on the recognition of a just and
statesmanlike principle. At the same time it
must have occurred to a good many of his
hearers that we have to thank the simplicity or
perverseness of the Government which arranged
the peace with Russia in 1856 for our debt remain-
ing in statu quo. Had we, as we ought in common
justice to have done, compelled Russia to pay the
hundred millions spent on the war caused by her
greed and ambition, we should now be in a different
position. We have ourselves to pay pretty heavily
for the warlike tendencies of other nations,---even
last year's expenditure includes half a million on
fortifications. Is it too much to expect our turbulent
friends of the Continent to do something towards
paying for the cost of their little amusements ? How
true is the old political axiom, that what England
gains by the sword she losses in her diplomatic
chamber.

The declaration of France on the war question
will be regarded with interest by all those who are
anxiously watching the aspect of affairs. At the
sitting of the Corps Legislatif yesterday, M. Rou-
BER made a declaration on the part of the Govern-
ment, in which he said that the Government could
not just now accept a " discussion" on the German
question, because great inconvenience would ensue
therefrom, but that in consequence of the disturbed
state of the public mind it was thought advisable
to make known the character of the policy to be
followed. M. ROLTHER stated that France had
made efforts towards the maintenance of peace,
which had only been controlled by a firm resolu-
tion not to contract obligations, and to maintain
liberty of action in those questions which, after all,
did not affect her honour, dignity, and interests.
The Government, he affirmed, was bound to prac-
tise an honest neutrality, and it profited by the
liberty it enjoyed to protect the " power, security,
and liberty of France against all attacks." As for
the Italian question, he said that particular duties
devolved upon France respecting Italy. " Italy
may believe herself called upon to interfere actively
in the Austro-Prussian conflict. The French do
not expect to exercise any guardianship over Italy,
but it feels so deep an interest in her affairs, that it
considers it proper to make an explanation. Italy
learns that, as we should highly disapprove of
Austria making any attack upon her, so also we are
thoroughly determined to throw upon her all the
perils and risks of any attack she may make upon
Austria." Further on, it is emphatically said, the
declaration of the Government is summed up in
these words :—•t6 A pacific policy, an honest neutra-
trality, and complete liberty of action." M. ROUTER
subsequently stated that a telegram had been re-.
ceived from Italy, in which Italy undertook not to
attack Austria. M. THIERS said that the Government
should send an energetic veto toßerlin and Florence,
but M. ROLIIER, in the name of the Government,
requested that the debate might not be prolonged,
and it therefore terminated. This declaration will,
no doubt, do a great deal to dispel the notions of
war which have of late been so prevalent, and the
French Government must have seen the necessity
for making some such statement in consequence of
the confusion that prevailed respecting the chances
of war or peace. It must be admitted that this de-
claration is both firm and temperate, while
it shrinks from no avowal it guards against
giving offence to any one. The public mind in
France must be reassured by receiving such an
explanation of affairs, and it must have a great
influence in the councils of Italy. The rumours
which have for some days past been so prevalent

in Paris regarding the chances of war will, for the
time being at least, be hushed, and will give place
to discussions of arbitration and other subjects of
peaceful settlement.
In Berlin a Council of Ministers was held yester-
day, and while it was sitting a telegraphic reply
was received from Vienna to the last despatch
sent there, in which Austria declared that she
could not disarm to the extent required by
Prussia. It is said that BISMARCK has sent
an answer to Dresden stating to M. Von
BEUST that the reply of Saxony to Prussia
respecting her armaments is " insufficient. "
The Prussian Government seem determined to pick
a quarrel with Saxony somehow or other, and
nothing can give them satisfaction. This seems
inconsistent enough when we consider their policy
in regard to other places. Bavaria has not been
requested by either Austria or Prussia to
disarm. The Bavarian Government will, it de-
, dares, only consider the necessity of maintain-
. ing the measures of defence to cease when
all danger has disappeared. This is a bold
and straightforward avowal, and we trust that
the same policy will be pursued by all the lesser
States of Germany. There is no reason in asking
them to disarm while there exists no settled idea of
peace being maintained, and much as that may
now seem probable, it is still likely enough that
hostilities will
ensue to justify all reasonable

preparations.
e tr
ha
el
desire for war.
correspondentthere
g oe nf
In Italy it wouTldhese
Femloracsncief
Independence Beige states that RICASOLI is busy in
the formation of a new Cabinet which will direct
the Government as soon 6ts war is
.I
de-
clared." All soldiers on leave of absence have
been recalled, and the army is receiving field allow-
ance. It is added that ~ no power in Italy is strong
enough to prevent war." Popular demonstrations
have taken place in Florence, Naples, and Turin in
favour of the National Government. The Minister
of the Interior has addressed a Circular to the Pre-
fects calling on the National Guard to do extraor-
dinary duty, and warlike manifestations are pre-
vailing through the country. All this i
signi-
ficant, and does not tally s very
o unc em en vith the a n
t
made to the Corps Legislatif• Perhaps the
nii2elaief is now done, and there has
bees too much fu a and preparation of war