The replies of the remaining great Powers to the Imperial
pro- posal for a general Congress have been published this week. They are all, in fact, refusals. The Czar is extremely polite, and talks of his lively desire to return to the path of "reductions and peace," but asks the Emperor to define clearly the questions which should become subjects of an understanding. The Kaiser acknowledges "the sincere desire" of Napoleon "to spare the world the calami- ties of war," but deems it indispensable to be enlightened on cer- tain preliminary points." The King of Prussia calls the proposal a "noble object," and will "join with all his heart," but asks for "any overtures the Emperor may think fit to make respecting preliminary views." The Pope writes an unctuous letter promising his moral support, but premising that he does not "mean to satisfy certain aspirations of fractions of nations," meaning, doubtless, the people of Rome. The kings evidently look on the proposa' much as children do on a wasp, and have given it the same quietus —suffocated it in treacle.
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