The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-22

the I'D inst, NJ V. Prokesh- Osten, President
of the Assembly and Austrian Deputy, called
upon the members to take the resolution to put
the half of the army of the Confederation in
readiness for active service as demanded by
Austria, in order to afford her prompt assist
ance, should she be attacked by Russia, as is
much to be unprecedented from the concentra-
ton of large bodies of Russian troops upon the
Austrian frontiers. NJ. V. Bismash Schoen-
hansen, Prussian Deputy, opposed, however,
this measure, as not demanded by any urgent
necessity, there being no reason to fear that
Russia would attack Austria. In the sitting of
the 26th inst, the Deputies of Saxony and of
the Duchies of Mecklenburg embraced the opin-
ion of M. Schoenhausen, while the Deputies of
Hanover and Hesse-Cassel supported the Aus
trian demand. The question is, as yet, not
decided
But Austria, in anticipation of finding the
majority opposed to her views, has, meanwhile,
addressed a note to the Cabinets of Germany
which she supposed most friendly to her, urging
them to make their contingents ready for war,
and put these under the personal command of
the Emperor of Austria, promising all the
Courts who acceded to this request to guaran-
ty them their present possessions, and permit
them to share in the advantages which might
be secured in the peace finally to be establish
Y,
1t might safely be taken for granted, should the
decision of the Diet of the Confederation be
contrary to the wish of Austria, that no German
Court will catch at the bait, and, consequently,
that only those whose views and calculations
incline them to side with her will meet her
request.
AT the conference on the eth instant, at Vi
emma, Prince Gortschakoff, according to the no
doubt correct statement of Lord Russell, finally
declared himself ready to enter into negotia-
tiations for peace on the four conditions as con-
strued by the Allied Cabinets, and read to him
on that occasion by the French ambassador
The difference between this construction, as
compared with that of Russia, above given, is
especially noticeable in regard to the third
point, which, according to the former, leaves
to the Allied Powers the liberty of framing it
ultimately as the eventualites of the war might
justify. But hence follows that it remains open
/ to Russia too, to accept or reject the new con-
struction, according as the events of the war
may prove less or more favorable to herself,
and consequently the peace appears evidently
far off.
The resignation of Lord Russell is hailed on
the Continent as an omen of a change for the
better in the English Government. He acted
nobly IN not attempting defence of the great
blunders committed by the War Department.
and i'll endeavoring to get Lord Palmerston ap-
pointed its chief 1t must be remembered, that
there has for long time existed much cool
ness between these two eminent men but Lord
RusselPs patriotism being proof against the
influence of private grudge, he had his eye
directed only to what he deemed best for his
country-an example worthy of imitation.
The conduct of Lord Aberdeen was in strict
keeping with his whole life, which stamps
him as a man Of narrow views and weak char
acter. All the enemies of Russia hope to see
the management of the English Department
OF War In the able hands of Lord Palmerston.
On the 2lst instant, the Prussian Cabinet
transmitted very remarkable note to the
French and English Governments, endeavoring
to show that it has not been acting in the in
terest Of Russia; that it. on the contrary, has
showed itself more friendly toward the Western
Powers, and that it will not deviate from this
course, unless obliged to do so, in vindcaton
of its own dignity and interest. 1t insists upon
being admitted to the negotiations for peace,
going on or to begin at Vienna, and claims
this as its right, being one Of the parties to the
treaty of the 18th of July, l84l, which now is
to be reconstruct.
On the 22d, the Prussian Cabinet addressed
a note to the Diet of the German Confedera-
ton, in which it endeavors to justify its course,
and to prove that there is no necessity for &C
ceding to the demand of Austria, above spoken
of. 1t at the same time transmitted to the
Diet copy of the note which it had the pre-
vious day sent to Paris and London.
The probability of Lord Palmerston becom-
ing chief of the Department of War. in Eng
land, has. made deep impression upon the
members of the Cabinet of Berlin, because
they seem to take it for granted, that in that
case the Western Powers will not permit Prus-
STA to remain neutral. DIoGESEs.
Berlin, Jan. %, 1855.