13 FEBRUARY 1875, Page 2

The Archduke John of Austria, an artillery officer of twenty-

two, has published a pamphlet on Artillery, said to be of much merit from a professional point of view. In this pamphlet, however, he states that Austria and Russia are becoming friendly, that Ger- many is of necessity hostile, the Empire desiring to absorb the German subjects of the Hapsburgs, and that war between the

two States is sooner or later inevitable. He desires, therefore, that the Artillery should be thoroughly remodelled. The pamphlet having excited attention in Germany, the Emperor of Austria has placed the Archduke in open arrest, and removed him from the Artil- lery to the Infantry, as proof that he does not agree with his kins- man's sentiments. The whole importance of the incident rests on the capacity of the Archduke John, which is an unknown quantity. If he is a mere Prince, his opinion matters nothing ; but if he is -- another Archduke Charles, he may modify the future of Central Europe.