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

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LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1866.

The accounts from various quarters still show
that preparations for war are going on with in-
creased activity. It has been said by the official
Staats Anzeiger of Berlin that all the different
reports concur in affirming the mobilisation of the
Austrian troops to be nearly complete. In Prague
they are daily receiving means for the transport of
a number of troops, and this shows that they have
already commenced to concentrate an Austrian
army on the frontiers. Prussia, on her side, is
actively employed in making arrangements for the
concentration of a corps d'armee on the Saxon
frontier; and, indeed, it is said that at the
Council of Ministers held yesterday in Berlin, it
was determined to mobilise the whole Prussian
army, excepting the corps d'armee in the Rhine
Provinces. The Prussian Government have like-
wise sent a Circular Despatch to their representatives
at Foreign Courts, in which they state that the ne-
gotiations respecting disarmament have failed on
account of the military preparations made by Aus-
tria in Venetia, and that this step rendered the
Italian armament necessary. As might have been
expected this despatch gives Austria the full credit
for what has occurred, and casts upon her the " full
responsibility" of what may afterwards happen.
Last evening the Government gave orders
that several of the corps d'armee should
be placed upon a war footing, and the
artillery has been mobilised. This certainly looks
as if they were in earnest. The Saxon Reply to the
imperious Note lately addressed by Prussia is very
much to the point. It states that it is not safe for
Saxony to be surprised by events in face of the
" notorious probability of war, but that she will be
willing to disarm provided guarantees for preserva-
tion of peace are given." How can these possibly
be afforded when such uncertainty exists, and while
so many indications of angry feelings exist at head-
quarters in Germany. Herr BISMARCK may
find he has overreached himself in his audacious
demands on Saxony. An extraordinary sitting
of the Federal Diet will be held to-day,
in consequence of the proposal of the Saxon Go-
vernment, which has very wisely requested the
Federal Diet to mediate on account of the Notes
sent by Prussia. It is difficult to say what can be
the object of the Berlin Cabinet in this persecution
of Saxony, unless it be that they have some under-
hand motive of annexing the kingdom to themselves
in the event of a war. Fortunately, Baron von
BEUST seems able to cope with them as yet, and is
resolved to avoid that fatal giving in at first which
has so often proved fatal in cases where the strong
encroach upon the weak. It was conspicuously ap-
parent in the late Dane-German war, when a firmer
policy at the outset would doubtless have been pro-
ductive of happier results.
Were not the consequences that may follow upon
them likely to be so serious it would be ludicrous
to witness the conduct of the two great German
Powers. Austria has sent a Circular Despatch to
her representatives at Foreign Courts, in which she
explains why she deemed it so necessary to make
warlike preparations, and lays particular stress
upon her great desire for peace. Her preparations
are, she says, quite of a defensive nature, and ren-
dered expedient because of the Italian ones. The
fact is, that this is a very good excuse on
both sides, and serves as a pretext for the
extraordinary measures lately adopted by both

these countries. Prussia is the real cause of all the
mischief, but itis not convenient to say so just at pre-
sent. It is mentioned as likely that if Prussia should
refuse to entertain the Austrian proposals respect-

ing Schleswig-Holstein; that a motion will be
brought forward in the Federal Diet to give Hol-
stein a vote, and admit its representative to the
Federal Diet. Holstein will fare badly if it ex-
changes Austria for Prussia as its director ;
and we are glad to find indications on the
part of the Vienna Government that they
will stand by the Duchy to the last. Prus-
sia, in order to gain time, has proposed that
the Duke of OLDENBURG should be put forward as
a candidate to the Schleswig-Holstein throne, and
no doubt then the real dictator and prime mover
will be the Prussian Sovereign. This will be in case
of opposition, events rendering it necessary to re-
linquish the cherished object of annexation in a
direct form.

Attempts have been made in various quarters to
prevent war. Lord BLOOMFIELD has told Count
MENSDORFF that if Austria should renew her peace-
ful offer to Prussia, England would strenuously
support its expediency at the Prussian Court.
Much good that would do, judging from
our recent experience. The fact is, that the
day for our influence with Prussia has gone by, in
consequence of the mismanagement of the Danish
affair. The anxiety that was shown last night to
get the house counted out, when Mr. GRIFFITIi ex-
pressed his opinion on the critical state of Continen-
tal affairs just now, is significant enough. Ministers
want to shrink the discussion, which is a very mis-
taken policy on their part. The Emperor of RUSSIA
has given a very plain hint to Prussia, for he states
in an autograph letter that he would, in case of war, '
remember the family relations which exist between
himself and several German princely families. The
Italian Government seem now trying to moderate
their conduct, but all will be of no avail in prevent-
ing war, unless Prussia change her course of action
in a very decided manner. On her rest the onus of
deciding if peace shall continue or war intervene ;
and until a truer policy rule the councils of that
kingdom, we can place no reliance whatever upon
all the professions that are being made,
decisions,Pow
other for the
whatevererswilln otthebye
baeb.le to prevail against her

Among our many sources of national
wealth
one is undoubtedly very much neglected. The Irish
Fisheries are better appreciated by the inhabitants
of other countries than by those who live on their
shores, although one might naturally suppose that
they would be of the greatest possible advantage to a
poor and ill-employed population. The Dutch at
one time established a profitable trade in connection
with the Irish fisheries, yet, strange to say, the Irish
themselves have never succeeded i turning them

fully to account. By a curious inconsistency the
Irish, who in other countries working for other people,
are among the most industrious of mankind, are too
often idle and thriftless in their own land. There
seems, indeed, in reference to the oyster fisheries to
be some difficulty about the licences, and it was to
this that Lord J. BROWNE called the attention of
the House of Commons last evening. He wished to
know whether it was the intention of the Govern-
ment to introduce a bill to carry out the recommen-
dations of the Royal Commissioners on the sea-
coast fisheries. These gentlemen, it will be remem-
bered, advised the granting of titles to oyster
licences, which should be final and conclusive. At
present the condition of affairs is very unsatisfactory.
The demand for oysters is constantly on the increase,
and, as every one knows, they have lately risen
very much in price. The Irish oyster beds are
rapidly diminishing, owing to neglect, improvi-
dence, and over-dredging. So far back as 1850 the
Commissioners stated that the oyster fishery of Ire-
land had suffered much injury from being neglected
and over-dredged, and that some of the banks had
become exhausted. The next year they stated that
the fisheries in Cork harbour were in course of
rapid extinction, owing to the total disregard of
proper precautions ; and 1859 they reiterated the
warning, and it is said that the exhaustion of the
public oyster beds would have been more complet e
had it not been for the supply being in some mea-
sure kept up by the private oyster beds. It is in
reference to these private oyster beds that the
grievance complained of exists, since the owners,
after having expended perhaps several thousands of
pounds, possess no guarantee for securing their
property. Lord J. BROWNE mentioned one
instance, in which about £1,400 had been expended
in labour on an oyster bed in Crewe Bay. Sir E.
GORE BOOTH obtained a licence, but some dredges
in Sligo Bay dredged his ground, and on the case
being tried at the Sligo Assizes it was contended
that the Commissioners had exceeded their jurisdic-
tion in granting the license, because the ground
had previously been the site of a public bed. This
has created great uneasiness among the owners of
private beds, since they find that after many years,
and the expenditure of large sums of money, their
right to possession may be disputed. The Commis-
sioners recommended that, after due inquiry,
licences for the private oyster beds should be
granted, and that the only appeal from the decision
of the Commissioners should be to the Privy
Council. Mr. Sergeant ARMSTRONG supported the
views of the noble lord the member for Mayo,
and declares the whole question of the fisheries
to be in a very unsatisfactory condition.
We are glad that the Attorney-General for Ireland
declared himself willing to advise the Government
that they should promptly bring in a measure to give
finality to the orders of the Commissioners. He
confessed that the present state of the law was very
unsatisfactory, and said that he considered the ques-
tion as one of great importance. Certainly while
the population of Ireland are annually leaving their
own country by thousands in search of profitable
employment it seems to be most impolitic and ex-
travagant to neglect so fruitful a source of national
wealth as the sea-coast fisheries.

The recent terrible list of catastrophes in the
vicinity of Torbay has not unnaturally called atten-
tion to the question of constructing a harbour of
refuge. The great shipwrecks which created so
widespread a feeling of consternation and sorrow in
some measure diverted the public mind from the
occurrences at Torbay, but they were of a very
serious and tragic nature. It was the same storm
in which the London went down that caused
the principal part of the havoc, and in conse-
quence of a sudden change of wind at midnight,
on the 10th of January, 14 vessels were wrecked in
a few minutes, and 72 lives were lost. Sir L.
PALK last evening, in presenting a petition from the
inhabitants of Torbay and other neighbouring towns,
observed that the !fishing trade thereabouts was
very large, and that it was computed within the
year that Torbay was resorted to by between
2,000 to 3,000 vessels, independently of fishing
craft. The fish trade alone is valued at £l,OOO
per week. The Channel Fleet, it seems, has
often been in the bay for days together,
so that the place has certainly powerful claims on
the attention of the Government. Unfortunately
it is not favourably constituted for the construction
of a harbour of refuge, but there is no reason
why a jetty, with a curve at the end, should not be
run out to a sufficient distance to afford a valuable
protection to the shipping. This, in spite of Mr.
GIBSON, should be done at the national expense,
since it is in reality a national boon, as ships
from all parts of the country would benefit by it.
In the recent storms there were vessels from very
different localities, and if the bay is properly cleared
from the wrecks, and a jetty run out, as we have
said, it will be an immense advantage to the
shipping interest generally. It is not fair to expect
the local resources to supply the whole means of
doing this, and we hope Mr. MILNER GIBSON and
his colleagues will be induced to reconsider the
subject.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

As I led you to expect, the French Government
has made public the policy it intends to pursue in
regard to the crisis in Germany. In the Legislative
Body yesterday the Minister of State, M. Rouher,
after a brief allusion to the subject, summed up the
policy that France meant to adopt as being pacific,
strict neutrality, with entire liberty of action. On
the part of the Government the Minister asked the
sanction of the Legislative Body to the project of
law for a contingent of 100,000 men for the land
and sea forces. M. Rouher assured the Chamber
that the policy of the Government was eminently
pacific ; but the Chamber must have understood
that the " liberty of action " which Ministers
claimed meant that France would support that side
of the struggle in Germany which it deemed to be
the just one. The vote was agreed to with enthu-
siasm by 248 against 16 ; and such was the warlike
spirit manifested that the Opposition party with-
drew several amendments, and almost the whole of
the Chamber exhibited a determination to support
the Government in the course it might think it
right to adopt to arrest the aggressive spirit of any
German Power.
Before the Chambers went to the vote the
Minister read, amidst marks of enthusiastic interest,
a letter from the Ambassador of Italy, which gave
the assurance, that come what might, Italy would
not, upon any pretence whatever, begin the
attack.

Another important incident of the sitting was a I
speech from M. Thiers, which one writer says "was
one of the most curious he ever made." It was in-
deed curious in one respect, for although the Minis-
ter of many Governments denounced the policy of
the present 'Ministry, he neither declared himself for
war nor peace. M. Thiers denounced the course
pursued in regard to Denmark, lamenting that spo-
liation had been allowed to be perpetrated against
her. He entered into some rambling expressions of
sympathy for " unfortunate Denmark," and did not
seem satisfied with the conduct of any of the Powers
in regard to her. In short, so far as could be
gathered from his speech, at least, M. Thiers neither
opposed nor supported the Ministerial proposition
for the contingent of 100,000 men. M. Thiers then
referred to the Paris Congreks, seemingly with the

intention to ridicule the idea that it could do any
good. The orator denounced in energetic terms the
want of sympathy for Denmark :
" Eighty thousand Austrians and Prussians rushed
upon the Duchies, and arrived upon that frontier of
Schleswig which is the grand position of Denmark.
The Danes were only 15,000 in number, but they
made a most heroic defence. They were over-
powered, but they supported firmly the flag of their
country. (Applause.) When this army of 15,000
men, reduced to a quarter of that number, only re-
treated to the island of Alsen, there was a general
shudder of indignation in Europe. • England seemed
to feel the result deeply, and proposed a conference,
but unfortunately the time was ill chosen, and she
was unfortunately in a false position in regard to
France." M. Thiers, in further reference to Aus-
tria and Prussia in their crusade against Denmark,
emphatically said—" Let those noble Austrian and
Prussian armies allow a Frenchman, who honours
courage everywhere, to say that after the great
things they have done in the world, and to which
we have all been witness, they ought to have aspired
to a triumph more worthy of them." M. Thiers,
then, in conclusion, contended that it was the crimi-
nal apathy of England and France which now
allowed Germany to obtain the mastery over Den-
mark.

A large number of workmen are now engaged in
making a breach in the wall of the Qaai d'Orsay,
opposite the Champ de Mars, through which the
River Seine will pass round the great Exhibition
building. Among the many curious articles NN hich
will be sent to give interest to it, it is said, that the
Patriarch of Jerusalem intends to forward several
unique objects connected with the religious history
of Christianity and the Passion of our Saviour, roses
from Jericho, and a bottle of River Jordan water.
Persia will send a series of all the costumes of the
kingdom and a collection of topazes from the mines
of Topaze. In Egypt workmen are engaged in mak-
ing models of ancient monuments and buildings,
and of antique jewels from the Museum of Cairo.
The Turkish Government will furnish historical
intdals struck at the Mint at Constantinople. If
there be space, there will also be a hippopotamus,
many birds from Egypt, and a young crocodile,
which will be reared especially for the purpose.
Since that Ist of May there has been additional
attraction in Paris in the shape of five concerts of
military music in the open air, viz., in the Tulleries
Gardens and the Place Vendome, by the band of
the Garde de Paris. The bands of the Regiment of
the Line play in the Place Royale, and the Luxem-
bourg Gardens. There are three bands which have
a high reputation—that of the Guides, the Garde de
Paris, and the Gendarmerie. Among them are
instrumentalists of first-rate talent,who receive their
instruction at the Conservatory of Music. It is
under the sanction and superintendence of the
authorities that the bands are employed to gratify
the public, and if harmony do not reign in Paris the
fault does not lie with the Prefect of Police.

The Constitutionnel, in an article to-day upon the
German crisis, says that the English papers do full
justice to the prudent and disinterested course
adopted by France, adding that if the dangerous
point to which events seem to be verging should be
turned aside, and there should be a happy issue to
the difficulty, that good result will be due to the
manifestations and advice of France. _ .

Winter has again been in the ascendant to-day.
It has been cold, cloudy, rainy, stormy, and cheer-
less. The May flowers have hidden their diminished
heads.

The Moniteur of this evening announces that a
Chinese Mission, charged by the Celestial Govern-
ment to visit Europe, arrived yesterday at Mar-
seilles, and was to leave immediately for Paris.
The Bourse has been in a very excited state
to-day. The downward tendency creates alarm.
The 3 per Cents. fell 50c. ; the Credit Foncier de
France, 15f. There was a great decline in railway
and other shares ; in short, there is a minor panic.