The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-04 00:00:00

All is proceeding favourably for the interests of
peace, and notwithstanding the complicated' ques-

tions that have to be decided, there seems no

reason to fear that a hitch will take place. So
far it may be called satisfactory, for the loss of
life has been fearful, and indeed its extent can-
not be estimated until some time has elapsed, and
until quiet has succeeded to strife. There are, how-
ever, many things to consider respecting this peace
which may well cause wonder and give rise to re-
gret. When we see Austria put aside, as she
undoubtedly is, and compelled to forego
her rightful share of power and influence
in Germany, thus forfeiting to a great ex-
tent her proud position in Europe—when we re-
flect upon the fact that Prussia has acquired an im-
mense deal of territory to which she has no right,
and monopolised nearly all power to herself in con-
trolling and regulating the various minor States,
we may, indeed, come to the conclusion that this
war, of which so much talk has been made, has been
a failure to all intents and purposes. So far as Italy
is concerned there is nothing to lament, but, on the
contrary, great cause for rejoicing. It is in every
respect desirable that Venetia should be restored to
the Kingdom of Italy, and despite the unworthy
course which the Italians have pursued in making
a treaty with Prussia, we regard that part of the
peace preliminaries which relates to Italy with satis-
faction, as a great national gain and a step in the
right direction of progress and freedom. It is the
result of the contest regarding the two great Ger-
man Powers which is the lamentable part of the
affair, and we may well be amazed that Austria
should not only have provoked the war, but actually
insisted on resorting to hostilities after all the
other Powers of Europe, neutral and belligerent,
had agreed to submit the doubtful questions to
the arbitration of a Congress. Had the Vienna
Government agreed to this plan some months ago,
how- differently placed would they now be, and
what a much more profitable arrangement could
have been made. " Quana DEUS vult perdere prius
dementat" may indeed be cited relative to
the conduct of the Austrian authorities.

It is also surprising that they should now readily
agree to the terms of a treaty which shuts them out
from so much which they once thought of such
vital import to the integrity and independence of
the Empire. Had the Austrian EMPEROR really
been so popular as it was so sedulousy made out
that he was, we should not have seen this war
been brought to so sudden a conclusion, when the
strength of both parties had not been fairly tested.
It is not fair to the prowess of the Austrian
forces to state that they have been com-
pletely annihilated and that the EMPEROR
may flatter himself with having such moderate con-
ditions imposed. He might have, had he chosen,
tried the issue of another battle, the success
of which might have rehabilitated his fortunes, and
the losfipf which could not have left him worse off
than he is, for Prussia is too much afraid of France
to venture in crippling Austria entirely. The cause
of the Austrian collapse has been the divisions that
existed among the various races subject to the sway
of FRANCIS JOSEPH. Had he followed the advice
of his best advisers and concentrated his resources
some time back, he would have come to the con-
test a better match for his crafty opponent.
Venetia was a source of weakness, and not of
strength. It drew away a large body of troops
which would have been serviceable at home, and
if properly treated, would have proved a
Hg
staunchunar , s
and
supporter of the Imperial Government in
the emergency that befell them, instead
increas-
ing their difficulties by its
internal
divisions of
dissensions of all kinds. Thus we find that the sins
of the Imperial Government, both of omission and
•
commission, have found them out, and they are now
paying dearly for their want of discernment and their
lack of justice. It by no means follows that the Prus-
sians deserve their success, because the Austrians may
merit their reverses. The time may not be far distant
when they will find themselves in a worse plight than
the Austrians are now, and who can say that they
will then be worthy objects of pity or sympathy
The Berlin Government may find that they have
undertaken more than they can manage before very
long, and although the official journals declare that
concord will be sure to exist between strong Prus-
sia and France, it may turn out to be quite the re-
verseang
ewshneonw twheorfkuilln
geiffnecutserniofaitly are he co
changes
realised.

Earl RUSSELL last evening took occasion to find

serious fault with the arrangement entered into
between Mr. WALFou and Mr, BEAT-ES respecting