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

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, lh. 18m.--Afternoon, lh. 45m.
T3-MORROW:Maming, 2h. Bm.—Afternoon, 2h. 30m.

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~" irn.

LONDON, MONDAY, MA Y 14, 1866.

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An article appeared in the Constitutionnel of Sa-
turday which professes to set forth the policy of the
Government, and will therefore be looked to with
interest by all parties. It is written in a calm and
impressive manner, and declares that the Imperial
Government has pursued a course consistent with
the dignity of France and conducive to the inte-
rests of Europe. The writer of the article
disclaims the notion of France having ul-
terior objects in view ; and it is emphati-
cally declared that no " foundation what-
exer" exists for the circulation of such reports.
France has -no need to have recourse to crooked
schemes. " What she thinks, what she wishes, what
she wills—all she declares loudly I" It will, no
doubt, tend to reassure many to meet with this de-
cided statement, for it has.been generally thought
that the French policy tended directly to war,
although there has been no actual proof of its doing
so. Taken altogether, the last accounts seem to
show a more favourable indication to peace.
Count BISMARCK is altering his arrangements,
and is said to meditate a modification of the
Prussian Cabinet. lie wishes to improve his
position before he appears in the new Chamber.
It is doubtful if the coalition he is planning of
Liberals and Conservatives will succeed in gaining
him a spell of popularity; but it. Aows, at any rate,
that the Count is anxious to make some change.
As
fo his policy towards the rest of Germany,
however, it would seem as if the Berlin Minister
thought that too perfect to undergo any alteration
of the smallest kind. The last exploit of his genius
has been to address a summons to Hanover on ac-
count, of her warlike preparations, and he has fur-
thermore signified the Prussian intention of occu-
pying the " military roads, of that State. This
is imperious enough in all conscience, and were
matters not of so serious an import it would be
ludicrous to notice the inconsistency of Prussia
mobilising all her own army, and yet refusing to
permit any other State to make defence for their
self-preservation. In truth, she is only
too glad of
the pretext for picking a quarrel, in order to make
it convenient to enter what territories she pleases
during the approaching struggle that threatens to
take place.
The Prussian General, Prince WITTGENSTEIN, had
an interview with the KING on Saturday, and
another with Count BISMARCK. It is evident that
the Russian government is watching the state of
affairs on the Continent at present with great
anxiety, and pshaps this may induce Count Bis-
MARCK to pause before he gives the signal to com-
mence tEe war. The aspect of affairs at the pre-
sent moment is such that by a dexterous
manceuvre Pruttia might retire from the aggressive

attitude she has assumed, and it is yet possible that
she may do so. Count MENSDORFFhe lasasret Ast ceivedthe
reply of the Berlin Government to the
to the
Note, and it conveys a
refusal
settlement proposed by Austria. It is inti-
mated that at a future time
some other
proposals may
be made by Prussia, but none are
This seems to carry
put forward just at present.
eor sp e a
open
f to or
Count BISMARCK wishing
out the idea entertained
t ion keep ateh e ciduoaor tr
2
negotiation a little longer. A meeting of about
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 BISMA.RCK 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, andtending 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,
1 we Rhould not be surprised if an event of this kind
i 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 forpeace. 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 or 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 may have
refused to tolerate any longer, and quite another
thing to interfere with the full weight of our jail-
ence and authority to prevent acts of unwarrant-

able rggression on peaceful communities and
the destruction of a populous 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,
IN 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-
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
I towns. The indignation and excitement of the
Chili= people is terrible, and considerable bitter-
ness is felt against this country, and not without
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, avid 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 allies or repel wanton aggres-
sion. Might is right so far as England is concerned.
Really the American representatives must have
thought to themselves as the Monadnock sullenly
steamed out of the port (the last to leave as the
English vessels were the first) that the Fenians
were not so very far wrong after all. Who can say
what a little active demonstration on the shores of

Ireland might do ? So long as the matter is in the
hands of the police, well and good;
they know
their duty, and do it ; but if it comes to putting
our costly iron-clads and numerous military officers
to any purpose but shows who can say what may
happen before we make up our minds?

`The possible advent of the cholera amongstus 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 Tarim circumstances have tended to create tilt
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