The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-14 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1866.

It seems from the news brought by the City of
Boston that the Fenians arc actually in earnest
this time, and have obtained at least a temporary
standing ground in Canada. A body, variously
estimated at from 500 to 2,000 men, crossed Niagara
river on Tuesday, May 29, and captured Fort Erie,
which, notwithstanding its pretentious name, is
nothing more than a small and undefended vil-
lage a few miles from Buffalo. Having gained
this point they threw up breastworks and remained
waiting for reinforcements. The British troops
are moving to disperse them, and the Volunteers
have been called out, so that they are not likely
to be left very long in undisturbed possession of
their victory, nor will their reinforcements find it
easy to reach them, although they are moving
towards the frontier in large numbers, for the Federal
troops have also been ordered to the frontier to
preserve neutrality—a task which they successfully
accomplished at Eastport. At any rate, the Fenians
have committed themselves to decided action, and
have cut the telegraph and destroyed a part of the
track of the Grand Trunk Railway. Rumour, as
usual, is busy with alarming statements, which we
may receive, however, with caution. It is curious that
STEPHENS disapproves of this movement and strongly
denounces it, though it is uncertain whether from
jealousy of SWEENEY, who is to take the command,
from prudential motives, or from a well-founded
apprehension that any decided movement may ex-
pedite the annihilation of the whole scheme, and
the consequent fall of head centres and leaders from
their high estate. It seems, however, that even
Fenian credulity was exhausted, and that not only
the adventurers who had prepared themselves for
action, and looked forward to a fight with true
Hibernian enthusiasm, but the bondholders and sub-
scribers who began to think that they paid their
money for something else than to feast their leaders
at the grand hotels, were impatient for some decided
movement. SWEENEY himself was not, it is said,
quite prepared for so early a demonstration, but he
is now committed, and since their retreat has been
cut off by the destruction of the bridges, a fight
was hourly expected when the mail left. A strong
feeling of indignation exists in Canada, and there is
some irritation felt against the American Govern-
ment for not having interfered to check the progress
of the Feilians across the border. If Mr. STANTON
is so much interested in their cause, and so hostile

to everything British, as to be anxious for their suc-
cess, he should at least remember that his official
position involves him in serious responsibilities, and
that the English Government have a right to feel
some surprise that, after all previous professions, so
large a body of men should be allowed to leave
American ground for a friendly territory without
notice or interference on the part of the Federal
authorities. General GRANT has indeed now
arrived at Buffalo, and has advised the calling out
of the Militia in order to prevent the departure
of any hostile expedition from Federal ter-
ritory, but this is rather late in the day.
It is probable that this movement of the Feniaus
may in the end be advantageous by bringing the
whole affair to a crisis, and by crushing out the
absurd and mischievous conspiracy which has been
suffered to continue too long.
In domestic matters we learn that Mr. DAVIS'S
health is greatly improved since the increased
freedom allowed him, and the Radicals continue to
give signs of weakness and dissension. The ob-
noxious 1870 clause has been struck out of the
Committee's Reconstruction Scheme, and the
Senate has now adopted in its place an amend-
ment, prohibiting all rebels who formerly held office
for Federal State office. It is doubtful whether
the Bill as it stands will eventually become law,
but the fact of it being thus amended, much
against the will of STEVENS, shows how strongly
the tide has turned against the Radicals.

By this time the Ambassadors of Austria and
Prussia will have left their posts at the respective
capitals of the two countries, and we may reason-
ably expect that we should now hear of something
decisive taking place. Count KAROLYI has received
a letter acknowledging the cautious manner in which
he has fulfilled his duties at the Court of Berlin.
Baron von WERTHER received his passports from
Count MENSDORFF,With the intimation that the step
was taken in consequence of the withdrawal of the
Austrian forces from Holstein, under compulsion
from Prussia. This closing of diplomatic relations
wi uls rtrrina, ssia but t
between the two Powers has been certainly the
act of A
for
hahevingenteredresponsibility
Holsteinofitin
virtually
rests itso
and conducting affairs so
arbitrary a manner,
strangely when the forcible entry had been made.
' France has very properly refused to undertake the
diplomatic protection of Prussian subjects in Austria
during the interruption of diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries ; and so has Bavaria also.
The proceedings of the Prussian Government in the
Elbe Duchies arc most offensive and dicta-
torial. General von MANTEUFFEL has now
decreed that every public . functionary and
official in Holstein shall take a solemn
engagement, to the effect that he solemnly engages
to " submit unconditionally" to the orders of the
King of PRUSSIA, and of all authorities acting on
his behalf. This is most harsh and unfair on the
part of the Prussian authorities, and will contrast
most unfavourably with the course pursued
by the
Austrians when in power. It seems a mistaken
policy on the part of the Austrian Government not
to have had troops in readiness to prevent the en-
trance of the Prussian forces, because they had
timely notice of such an intention, and it is always
an error to give up anything at the outset of a

war.

It is curious to compare the differents aspects
which the same event assumes when looked upon
from a different point of view. The Ministerial
Abendpose of Vienna contain 4 a denunciation of

the Berlin Cabinet for its policy in Holstein. It
states that ",;he march of the Prussians into Holstein
is 411 event of the very highest moment, and that
Prussia has thus proved her conviction that
the Gast, Jin Convention is invalid, for she has
been guilty of a flagrant and unexampled infrac-
tion of it." On the other hand, the semi-official
Nordrieutsche Zeitung declares that the proceed-
ings of Prussia in the Diet are at variance with the
Federal Constitution. The proposal for mobilis-
ing the forces of the Confederation is not in accord-
ance with Federal law, uor " can Prussia recognise
the competency of the Diet to give a decision re-
specting international treaties already concluded."
This is Prussian policy to the letter, ever ready to
acquiesce in the legality of any authority that up-
holds its views, and yet questioning the
right of any Power or law that interferes
with its working. In conclusion, we are told,
and doubtless the information is true, that Prussia
will be compelled to regard every State as its enemy
which subscribes to the demands of Austria. The
notion of Federal Reform at all is quite inconsistent
with this conduct of Prussia, for if half of her plans
were carried out it would be quite impossible for any
change or alteration for the better to take place.
The best proof of its inconsistency is shown
by the unfavourable reception it has met with
from the German Middle States, and so great
has been the annoyance created that Hanover
has ranged herself on the side of Austria,
and she will vote for the mobilisation of the Fede-
ral Army, the very thing so inimical to Prussia.
To-day the question will be settled at the Diet, but
not much importance is attached to it, except in so
far as it shows the state of feeling engendered to-
wards Prussia. The full text of the EMPEROR'S
letter to M. DROUYN DE L'H(JYS is now before us,
but the most important points of it were anticipated
by the summary of yesterday. The EMPEROR
declares that the object before him is to put the
conduct of his Government in its true light
before the diplomatic agents abroad, and to make
known the course of policy which France would
have pursued had the Conference been carried out.
M. DROUYN DE L'HUYS is reminded thereupon of the
tenour which his language would have assumed
towards the different representatives of the several
countries assembled. Ile was to declare that he
repudiated all idea of " territorial aggrandisement"
so long as the equilibrium of Europe was not dis-
turbed. Then follows the celebrated passage to
which we referred yesterday, of his unwillingness to
extend his frontier, except in " case of the map of
Europe being remodelled for the exclusive benefit
of a great Power, and of the conterminous provinces
demanding by votes freely expressed their annexation
to France." This is a very significant announce-
ment, and does not speak very favourably for -the
designs of Prussia, as she must be the great Power
referred to in this manner. The EMPEROR opines
that the " moral force" of France will be quite
sufficient to protect the interests which she
has at heart—namely, the preservation of the
balance of power in Europe, and the maintenance
of the edifice which the French have helped to raise
in Italy. Those Courts engaged in the conflict have
given their assurance to the EMPEROR'S Govern-
ment that none of the questions concerning France
shall be solved without her assent. As for the
objects which the EMPEROR would have sought
,to
promote, they could hardly have been settled at any
Conference, however favourable the circumstances
might have been. It is not yet known what effect
this statement has produced in Paris, but probably
its meaning was pretty well guessed at by those
well informed. We have at all events the opinion
of the EMPEROR, that the force of arms will alone
decide the question in dispute.

The thirteenth meeting of the Royal Geogra-
phical Society's present session was held last even-
ing at Burlington House, and the subject first con-
sidered was one of great practical importance. It
was the effects of the destruction of forests in the
Western Maras of India on the water supply, and
the paper written by Mr. MARKHA3I, after careful
observation, showed that the extensive clearings
made for the several plantations on the mountains
of southern India have produced a remarkable
effect on the climate. Great changes have
been perceptible during the last twenty years,
during which a total area of 180,000 acres have
been cleared for coffee, tea, and cinchona planta-
tions. Sudden floods now occur, which are
yearly increasing in volume and destructive-
ness. In Madras a system of forest conservancy pre-
vails, but Mr. MARKHAM suggests a better remedy
in the construction of hill reservoirs, which should
regulate the supply of moisture to the great
plains, and thus prove a double blessing. These
plains depend for their habitability on the
rivers and irrigation works fed by the mountain
rains, and the storing of water in these reservoirs
can be effected at a rate of about £lOO of capital
for a million cubic yards of contents. The ex-
pense need not interfere with the project. The
cinchona plantations will, when fully grown, com-
pensate in some degree for the destruction of the
primeval forests, but on all these interesting
points we have much to learn by experience as
well as by study. The whole subject deserves,
and will probably receive, careful attention from
the authorities, as well as from men of science.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.

The memorable letter of the Emperor to his
Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Drouyn de l'Huys,
read yesterday all of a sudden by the Minister of
State, M. Rouher, to the Legislative Body, the con-
tents of which, no doubt, you received by telegraph,
has produced profound sensation in Paris. When
I told you that the Emperor was "a man of impulse"
I " spoke by the card." The Moniteur of to-day
contents itself with publishing it, and, like the other
morning papers, wants breathing time for its appre-
ciation. The Constitutionnel, however, says :

" The Emperor's letter is the eloquent resume of the
policy followed by the French Government from the
commencement of the difficulties about to be solved
by force of arms,which have agitated and disquieted
Europe. These great words, inspired by the most
profound wisdom, will be heard by the whole world.
They will now even dominate over the report of
war."

One of the most splendid and attractive fetes of
the season has been given by the Empress at the
Palace of Elysee, in honour of the Grand Duchess
Marie of Russia. The number of guests were
limited to 350, but they were all persons of distinc-
tion,including the Princess Mathilde, the young
Princess Marie, and nearly all the foreign Ambas-
sadors now in Paris. There was a dinner, recep-
tions, and promenade in the gardens. Only 30
tpheerszyssweeerweeirneviiltleudlntionatthede dwinint the The
electric gardenshghotf.
The bands of the Gendarmerieohefr. the Guard played
during dinner, and there was singing in the evening
by the chorus of the Conservatory of Music.
There has been a frightful catastrophe at Havre.
The towing-steamer, Passe Partout, was about to
take into tow the three-masted vessel Maria,
of Caen, when her boiler burst. The chimney, a por-
tion of the deck, the steam engine and boiler were
scattered into fragments, and projected to a con-
siderable distance. A sailor, named Jacques
Manach, was blown to pieces. Three others are
supposed to have been killed. The captain was
precipitated into the air, and died in a very few