NEWS OF THE WEEK,
THERE has been throughout the week a lull in the Schleswig- -1- Holstein war, and the present position of affairs would appear to be as follows ;—The Danes occupy the Island of Alsen and the works of Diippe,l, which protect the strait between the island and the mainland, with about 25,000 men, menaced by Austria and Prussia with fully 40,000. This number has been made effective by gradual reinforcements, which have been going northward all the week, and it is understood that Diippel is to be carried by a coup de main at any expense of lives. The brunt of this affair is to be thrown on the Prussians, who have as yet done nothing, except in the trifling affair at Missunde, but who annoy the Austrians by claiming the whole honour of the war. The attack was expected on Friday, and military critics seem to believe it may be unsuccessful. The Danes are, however, too weak in numbers, and too ill supplied with food, and the allies can afford to throw away lives too readily, to make a long siege very probable. No amount of intellect will keep a man's skull from cracking if a flag-stone is flung on it.
