The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-19 00:00:00

REMARKS.

Low barometrical pressures continue in S.W. districts, where a
diminution of more than a tenth of an inch has occurred since
yesterday. The least pressures reported are at Penzance and Brest
the readings there are more than seven-tenths of an inch less than at
Nairn. Temperature is steady. On the Irish coast a strong north-
easterly wind blew yesterday, and in the English Channel the wind
was south-easterly, which still prevails. On the west coast of France
a south-westerly gale is reported. Much rain has fallen: especially
at Plymouth• and Yarmouth. Lightning is reported from our S.
coast. The weather is cloudy, and rain is continuing on the W. coast
of Franco. The sea is high at Penzance and Shields. Warnings
'ssued this morning.

If the Times' reputation as the barometer of politics
holds good with respect to Europe, we are on the eve of a
war. In a very bellicose article, the Times concludes that
" for some weeks past the two dark thunder-clouds of the
political atmosphere have been drawing steadily together,
until it seems as if the most sanguine could now hardly
hope that an explosion will be averted. France
on one side and Prussia on the other are either
anticipating war or despairing of peace." It
rests with France to be the aggressor, but at the same
time she may plead some temptations to aggression. It
is not to be denied that the aggrandisement of Prussia by
the late war does affect the position of France in the
political system of Europe. This new situation is none
the more acceptable because Italy has become similarly
consolidated, and may possibly be Prussia's ally. "A success-
ful campaign against Prussia might detach Southern from
Northern Germany, and leave one-half of the German
nation to be still played off and balanced against the
other." This is not a very explicit cause for immediate
hostilities, but other journals undertake to supply more
tangible grounds. The Spectator, whilst generally deciding
against the prospect of war, thinks that the entry of
Baden into the North German Confederation would
probably determine the French Emperor to a campaign.
The Independance Beige endeavours to supplement this
speculation by publishing a report that the annexation of
the Grand Duchy has been a matter of fact for some
weeks past, and that the treaty will soon be published.
It is even added that the French Government has been
aware of the fact, but that it resolved to consider it for
t'ie present a poi e'.y German question, not being yet pre-
pared to engage in war. This report is by no means new.
Some clays ago we republished a similar statement from a
German authority. It was then stated that Baden was
fully prepared for admission to the North German Con-
federation, but that Count Bismarck opposed the imme-
diate execution of the project through fear of a collision
with France. It is quite possible that the annexation is
an accomplished fact ; but it is hardly likely that France
is about to be defied by the publication of the treaty.
The annexation of Baden would be a direct violation of
the treaty of Prague ; and if the Emperor Napoleon did
not go to war on that ground, it is certain that he would
never find a more plausible pretext. It is just possible
that this Baden question may lead to a rupture
but at present our information as to the true relation!
between Prussia and the Grand Duchy is too vague to
admit of a definite conclusion. It does not appear that
;_ere is anything in these reports to put an end to the
cListimi 'uncertainty.