The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-07 00:00:00

playing a game of cross questions and crooked
answers until they nearly changed the appearance
into the reality, and they drew back half ashamed
and half afraid of the result. At any rate, it is
evident that the amicable appearance, which to all
intents and purposes has prevailed for the last two
or three years in the discuSsions of the allied Powers,
has recently been changed in a very sinister fashion,
and that the mask has been thrown off by each
party, never again to be resumed with the same
success in the eyes of Europe or before the inferior
States of Germany. Many causes are assigned as
having conduced to create the change of the last
few days respecting the chance of immediate hos-
tilities. The Emperor of RUSSIA has been very
active, no doubt thinking that it would
not serve his purpose just now to see these
countries at war. The Russian General
RICHTER has arrived at Vienna with a letter from
the CZAR to the Emperor of AUSTRIA. Before this
the General had delivered a letter from his SOVE-
REIGN to the King of I'AtUSSIA. It is said by the
Vebatte of Vienna that the warlike preparations of
Austria have been suspended. This may or may
not be true—though if they are, we have no doubt
that things are already arranged in such a manner
that the authorities will not be taken by surprise in
case of a renewed misunderstanding occurring.

It is stated by the official journal of Prussia that
Austria has despatched a Circular Note to
the German middle States, in which she de-
clares that she will, under certain circumstances,
appeal to the Federal Diet to settle the Schleswig-
Holstein question. It is said that this declaration
has not yet been carried into effect, but that this
Circular Note is not in any way connected with the
note addressed by Austria to Prussia. Au " over-
whelming majority" of the German Governments
have, it is affirmed, approved of both the documents
set forth by the Vienna Government. It is a sort
of retributive justice that so much court should now
be paid to the minor States by the two Cabinets
which had, a few short months ago, affected
to ignore their very existence, as it were, and
treated all their representations, protestations, and
remonstrances with supreme indifference, indigna-
tion, and contempt. Now it suits the turn of these
overbearing Powers to profess the greatest respect
for the opinion of those they despised, and to appeal
to them for the solution of a question which they
professed to consider out of the scope of their intel-
ligence, and quite removed from the sphere of their
influence. In Hamburg it is thought that the
peace between the two great German Powers will
not be disturbed, and perhaps there is sufficient
reason for the belief.

One satisfactory consequence of this affair has
been that Count BISMARCK has certainly received
a check in his aggressive designs, and must now
retrace his steps in a great measure. The Aus-

xian Note of the thirty-first was a clever produc

tion, and must have taxed the wily statesman's
powers of invention to the uttermost to maintain
a show of dignity or a semblance of composure.
The excitement of the military preparations has
certainly wakened up the powers that be in Aus-
tria, and infused an animation and a spirit into
their style that were long wanting. Prussia is
called upon to imitate the example of
Austria, and to tender an assurance to
the effect that she will respect the fun-
damental stipulation of the Federal Act of
Germany, so that all disputes between the mem-
bers of the board may be settled in an amicable
manner, and other things to the same effect. The
King of PRUSSIA is not desirous of war being de-
clared, if he can possibly avoid the alternative; yet,
on the other hand, Count BISMARCK is equally un-
willing to recant his previous assertions, and
question allegiance to the Federal Act. If one
thing more than another has distinguished his
career it has been his determined opposition, di-
rectly and indirectly, to the principles of this act, and
of course he will not be willing nowadays to foreswear
himself after having gone to such lengths, and made
himself so conspicuous in his hostility to it 'provisions.
Under these circumstances it has been hinted that
the only extrication from the position in which
Prussia has been placed can be found in the retire-
ment of Count BISMARCK, and certainly the chances
of peace with Austria would be forwarded by his
withdrawal. Such a contingency is of course a very
remote one, and the King is certain to try all kinds
of things before he decides upon such a sacri-
fice. It is said that, in self-defence, Count BIS -
31.irtcK will suggest to Austria that Federal
Reform be inaugurated, but it is very
unlikely that the attempt will succeed. Aus-
tria is not likely to accept such a compromise,
and will very probably return to the charge, and
demand a definite answer as to whether or not the
Federal Act is to be maintained in its integrity. It
is hinted that more than one important personage
advocates the resignation of the Minister who has
thus brought the political affairs of his country to
such a crisis ; and if this confusion result in the
resignation of llerr Von BISMARCK, it will have
been at least ten mal pour me bien, for he is the great
enemy of all liberty, whether at home or abroad,
and has worked with a zeal worthy of a better
cause in the crusade that has been waged against
all popular rights and free institutions.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

The Journal des Debuts, if not avowedly, is in
reality, an official paper, and a good judgment may
be formed of the state of affairs in Germany from
its summary to-day. It says :—" No news from
Germany. It appears that of ter the circular of M.
de Bismark and the Note of M. de Karolyi, Prussia
and Austria both want to reflect. Indeed M. de
Bismark is waiting for the answers of the Secon-
dary States, and these answers are beginning to
arrive at Berlin. According to reports, more or less
well founded, the majority of these States will
follow Austria in the Constitutional path in
which she has placed herself, and will see, like
her, in Article 11 of the Federal compact, the only
mode of arriving at a pacific and legal solution of
the differences which exist between the Great
Powers. M. de Bismark, however, does not see
things in this light, for it would appear that he
wants to take advantage of the Federal right. Ac-
cording to the Cologne Gazette he has no idea of
convoking, by some mode yet undetermined, a sort
of German Parliament, which will sanction the con-
centration of the land and sea forces of Germany
under the direction of Prussia. That journal, how-
ever, although very amicably disposed towards M.
Bismark, thinks the idea rather chimerical, and does
not consider that it can be an efficient agent in pro-
ducing a pacific solution."
The illoniteur of to-day says :—" The troubles
which lately agitated the Kesronan and the districts
north of Lebanon are now completely appeased.
The Turkish troops are now evacuating the moun-
tain, and they will temporarily occupy the route
from Tripoli to Beyrouth. Youssouf Kaparan has
taken refuge with the Metualis. The firman, dated
March 19, by which the Sultan gives his consent to
the arrangements concerning the Suez Canal has
been sent to the Viceroy of Egypt, so that this long
vexed question may be considered as arranged, and
now there will be no further obstacle to a free navi-
gation between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
As the sporting public of Paris are looking with
interest and betting largely upon the races under
the patronage of the society for the encouragement
of horse-racing in France, which will take place in