5 MARCH 1864, Page 1

That we have contemplated much more serious resistance, and been

frightened into neutrality, we believe the despatches will abundantly prom Lord Napier, in a despatch dated 6th January, says he told Prince Gortschakoff " that an attack upon Schleswig appeared imminent, and if that attempt was made, it seemed not improbable that the Germans might find themselves confronted by the armed intervention of Great Britain." But a wet blanket seems to have been thrown on these intentions by the blank refusal of France. On the 24th of January Lord Russell wrote to Lord Cowley that Her Majesty's Government " seek the concert and co-operation of France, Russia, and Sweden, in order to give, if necessary, material assistance to Denmark in the resist- ance of dismemberment." This dpatch was answered on the 28th January, in a visit from the French Ambassador here to Lord Russell, in which he stated that, for various reasons,— sympathy with nationalities and offended pride about the Con- gress are the chief,—" the Government of the Emperor will not take, at present, any engagement on the subject of Denmark." Since then, we imagine, the zeal of Her Majesty's Government has collapsed .