18 APRIL 1891, Page 2

The Austrian Emperor opened the Session of the Cis- Leithan

Parliament in Vienna on the 11th inst. His Majesty expressed a firm confidence in the maintenance of peace, declaring that he received from all Governments assurances. of their peaceful intentions. As there never is a cloud in the sky until war breaks out, this assurance is not by itself of importance ; but it is evidently sincere, for the Government have introduced a long programme of reforms, including, it is. said, a project for the universal and compulsory insurance of houses against fire, and are concerting arrangements with Hungary for the resumption of specie payments. They certainly would not make this attempt if they expected war,. more especially as the Hungarians are by no means willing, to make the change, the great exporters holding that they collect produce by contracts in paper, while they are paid by the consignees in gold, and thus reap one profit on the price and another on the exchange. Vienna is still agitated by accounts of Russian armaments, but nothing whatever has occurred to make the situation- more alarming, nor does the agitation extend to the highest quarters.