1 DECEMBER 1883, Page 2

The German Emperor, on the 27th ult., received the Presid-

ents of the Prussian Diet, and in his address used an expression which has attracted great attention. He "assured them, in the most positive manner, that peace was at the present moment completely secured ; and that, in particular, the relations of the nation to Russia had, to his great joy, become most cordial and happy." This report is official, and though the Emperor may be deceived like another man, his impression coincides with all recent information, and particularly with the otherwise in- explicable action of Russia in Bulgaria. The "Imperial Powers," as Lord Beaconsfield loved to call them, have not renewed their alliance, but there is obviously some un- derstanding among them that peace shall not be broken for- some time to come. Russia and Austria want financial rest, and the old Emperor of Germany cannot commence new under- takings. France can disturb the peace, of course ; but restless and irritable as Paris is, the peasantry want quiet, and, an opportunity of refilling hoards sorely depleted by the Bourse- transactions of two years. War is usually unexpected, but it is still much that the Sovereigns who move armies would rather- not fight.