The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-14 00:00:00

attitude she has assumed, and it is yet possible that
she may do so. Count DIENSDORFF haslasretcAeiuvesdtrtihane
reply of the Berlin Government to the
Note, and it conveys
a
settlement proposed by Austria. It
to h
it
is
inttte-
buno
proposals may be are
mated that at
maadefubbly rPerustsi7 some other
on
s ecieuma sr t
etros ca
sa r rtyo
t the idea entertained n TsohMise
ou i
put forward just at present.
Count BISIIARCK wishing to keep the door open for
negotiation
a little longer. A meeting of about
2,000 of the working classes was held at Berlin
yesterday, -which pretty plainly shows the state of
feeling in that direction. It was unanimously
resolved that the Deputies must soon be elected in
consequence of the threatened war, and that they
must maintain the constitutional rights of the
country, and not give their consent to the course
followed by the Government before they arrived at
a " solution of the internal conflict."
In many different quarters there are sufficient
indications to prove to Count BISMARCK that he is
running contrary to public opinion ; and, as for the
policy of the Austrian Government, that is surely
and steadily going against him, and tending to sub-
vert his plans. A Circular has just been addressed
by Austria to the different German States, demand-
ing that any discussion respecting the convocation
of a German Parliament should be postponed until the
different Governments have settled the basis of Fede-
ral Reform. This is contrary to the wishes of Count
BISMARCK, for he has distinctly specified his desire
that the German Parliament should assemble be-
fore other matters are discussed. The Middle and
Minor German States will have a Conference of
Ministers at Bambery to-day. It is curious to
notice the important position now held by these
lately despised States and the influence attached to
their decisions. It suited the purpose of the two
great German Powers a year or two ago to ignore
the interests of these principalities, but now are
only too glad to make advances. The hostile de-
meanour exhibited by Prussia towards Saxony has
been the subject of general remark lately,
and additional proof of its extent is shown
by the rumour gaining ground that the Prussians
had actually crossed the Saxon frontier, and that a
collision was expected between the Prussian and
Saxon troops. Although this was not authenticated,
it shows what is expected to take place, and, indeed,
we should not be surprised if an event of this kind
proved the beginning of hostilities. The animus
displayed by Prussia in this direction has been un-
mistakeable, and Herr Von BISMARK will, no doubt,
turn his first efforts in that direction in the event of
peace being ruptured. The length of time which
the discussions have occupied is perhaps on the whole
a favourable sign for peace. Things have now reached
that state that the balance is pretty equally ad-
justed, and no one need be surprised whichever
turn events may take in the next few days. Much
will depend upon the decisions of the Prussian
Government ; but they cannot now be said to hold
the place they did as the arbiter' of the destinies
of Germany. If peace prevail it must be at the
sacrifice of many of the schemes' of the Berlin
Government, while if war ensue it is extremely
doubtful that Prussia will be able to retire from the
contest with anything like dignity, with all the ter-
ritories she now possesses.

We are carrying the modern principle of non-
intervention to a point that is neither creditable to

our humanity, our honour, nor our common sense.
It is one thing to rush into hostilities at every
opportunity and to take up arms to reinstall every
unpopular Sovereign whom his
.subjects assay have
refused to tolerate any longer, and quite another
thing to interfere with the'full weight of our

ence and authority to ,prevent acts of unwarrant

able rggression on peaceful communities and

the destruction of a pobulous city at the dicta

tion of avarice or ambition. All Europe is
likely to pay dearly enough for the timidity
of the English . Cabinet . two years ago,
IA hen a few resolute words. ,from the'Foreign-office
would have averted the whole Danish war and its
consequences, which no one can now foretell. But
foreign nations have lately discovered what it took
them some time to learn, that nothing will induce
England to interfere beyond empty threats and
pitiful remonstrances; and accordingly the total
destruction of the city of Valparaiso bears testi-
mony to the respect paid to our appeals by Spain.
For three hours and a half shot and shell were
poured into the city, and what these did not destroy
was consumed by the fires which broke out: Some
private buildings survive, but all public establish-
ments were destroyed, including the Custom House
and the warehouses, containing an immense quan-
-1 tity of valuable foreign merchandise. The
Spanish fleet having done its work withdrew, and
it was generally feared the Admiral intended
i bombarding Caldera, Coquimbo, and other
towns. The indignation and excitement of the
Chilian people is terrible, and considerable bitter-
ness is felt against this country, and not without
I reason. Before the bombardment began the
American Commodore proposed to the English
Commander that they should try what virtue
there was in their men-of-war. This, it must
be remembered, was after all peaceable efforts had
been exhausted, and the united appeal of all the
Foreign Ministers had received a firm though cour-
teous refusal from NUNEZ. The Chilians could
hardly bring themselves to believe that the Spainards
intended bombarding a defenceless city, in which
there was so much foreign-property. But there was
soon no doubt of their intentions, and the American

Minister as well as the American Commodore pro- ,
posed to the English to compel them to desist and
spare the city. The English Commander refused to '
interfere or co-operate, aid as the Americans did not
like to -take the whole responsibility the foreign
fleets moved to a place of safety, and allowed the
city to be destroyed before their eyes!
The question which naturally rises is, Why do we
• keep a fleet in the Pacific ? It cannot be to protect
our interests, since we have suffered the demolition
of property belonging to English subjects, estimated
it is said, at $180,000,000. It cannot be to preserve
our credit, since we are the first to steam off from
any scene of danger. It cannot be to impress or
overawe foreigners, for we let them see that English-
men keep all their courage for their despatches. It
cannot be to assist our allr aiessorEno.lnd i
repel wanton
concerned.tonaggres
fa
Sion. Might is right so c,
avnes.
ar
se ptrhees emn toant pis
07
ku sst
ul hl
eanvley
ti th
eoaul thought the
tt tAh en mi esrei cl
ltahstattotlheeavereansiathnes
Englishsteamed
vessels
f lit leer e ptohret
first)
were not so very far wrong after all:m
ron
tthoeiarnyduptuyr,par.osed
• the shores of
Ireland might do ? So long as the matt
Who can say
what a little active demonstration
matter is in the
hands of the police, well and good; they know
our costly iron-clads
happen before we
officers
bduot i
stah ;no
dwb I,
ill tuwmif h
eoir comesto: cans
msai
military
t toawr
what
u t
mayt i n g
make up our minds?

The possible advent of the cholera amongst us has
been frequently discussed during the winter months.
Former experience has Painfully taught us that the
dreaded -enemy is likely to visit these shores, after
doing its work among our continental neighbours,
and various circumstances have tendA to create the