The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-10 00:00:00

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, Jan. 7.—The following information,
which has been acquired at various authentic
sources, will enable your readers to form a correct
idea of what has recently been done and is now
doing in the Neuchatel question. As you are aware,
the French Government a few days since made a
second attempt to mediate between Prussia and Swit-
zerland. The Berlin Cabinet approved of the French
project, and it was not unacceptable to the Swiss
Confederation, but the latter recollecting that its
political independence was not guaranteed by
France alone, thought it desirable that the plan of
mediation proposed by the Emperor of the French
should be seconded "or rather adopted by some
other great Power or Powers. It occurred to the
Federal Council that the first Napoleon arrogated
to himself the title of " Mocliateur de la Confedera-
tion Suisse," and, as the third Nareleon not long
ago employed language very like that used by his
illustrious uncle, the Swiss Government re-
solved to express its gratitude to the French Go-
vernment for its bons offices,and at the same time
to hint that it might perhaps be well if England,
the good friend and ally of France,would consent to
take a share in the proposcd mediation. What
subsequently took place between the French and
British Governments is not exactly known here,
but certain it is that they have during the last few
days been working together in the Neuchatel
affair, and with such success, that it can no
longer be the question of a war between
Prussia and Switzerland. Austria, as the professed
supporter of the prerogatives and legitimate rights
sovereigns, could not openly take part with
Switzerland against Prussia ; but she has so ma-
naged, that not a Prussian soldier can be sent to
the frontiers of Switzerland until a formal applica-
tion has been made by the Berlin Government to
the German Confederation. At first the sovereigns
of Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and Baden were inclined
to permit Prussian troops to march through
their territories ; but their resolutions were made
to he broken. Wurtemberg was the first to make
a retrograde movement ; Bavaria followed her ex-
ample ; and a couple of days since B eden brought
up the rear. The w_,th of Prussia against Austria
.
is already great—as s seen by the Berlin papers—
but it will be still greater when it learns that the
Imperial Government is so well satisfied with the
recent conduct of the Federal Council that it no
longer wishes to see a change made in the Con-
stitution of 1848. In a word, the moderation, tact,
and firmness displayed by the Swiss Government
towards all parties has produced a very favourable
impression on Austrian statesmen, and they appear
to have come to the conclusion that the most com-
manding military position in Europe could not
be in better or safer hands. The information
contained in my telegraphic despatch of Monday
last was correct, and the Ministers for Foreign
Affairs, of the Interior, and of Finances, will
leave Vienna for Milan to-morrow (Thursday)
evening. Many persons are of opinion that the
Emperor, being hard pressed by the military Envoy
of the King of Prussia, requires the counsel of his
Ministers, but you may be sure that their journey
to Milan is in no way connected with the Neu-
chatel question. Austria is resolved not to interfere
actively between Prussia and Switzerland, and she
will keep in the background until the Neuchatel
question is brought before a Conference which will
be formed of the parties to the London protocol of
May, 1832, aid Switzerland.