NEWS OF THE WEEK
Trim whole state of Germany forbids the idea that neutrality will remain a possible policy. We had, at the close of last week the report of the committee of the Prussian Chamber of Deputies, approving of the course taken by Government in ab- staining from any support of Austria's conduct in Italy and treating her as if she were more than we have reason to believe in accord with Prussia. It is through an outburst in the Cham- ber itself that we learn the true state of the case. The eloquent Vincke gave voice to the " patriotic spirit" in the Chamber by declaring that " no Prussian heart could conceive the idea of • Prussia joining the Emperor Napoleon against Austria." Aus- tria is a German Power, therefore Germany must maintain her,— whatever happens, whatever has happened : such was the spirit of Vineke's address, which created the same kind of phrenzy within the Chamber that is reported to exist throughout most of the German provinces. Even Lord Derby was, in the month of M. von Vincke " unparliamentary," because he talked of " the aggres- sion of Austria." " The sooner," said the Prussian orator, " the disapproval of the Government of the policy of Austria is
dropped the better." Constitutional Prussia must sustain the most execrable tyranny which the present day is witnessing. M. von Arnim, ex.--.Minister of Foreign Affairs and ex-Ambas- stidor at Paris-al:id Binsiele' called for the whole of Germany to affirm the vote lehich_the Chamber would shortly give. The final act of Vienna he said, is a fundamental law for Germany ; Germany throughits representatiVe Chambers accepts the spirit otAtuitrian encroachment. To us Englishmen, with all our indisposition for war, the spectacle- can be called nothing less
than detestable. '
-*Even Red Tape, in Prussia, retains a greater sense of nonstitu- tienil decorum : .M. von Schleinits;:the'Innister. for Foreign Affairs, pleaded that the Prussian .GOveiniment did not dispute Austria's right to send the ultintaturn to fitirainia, but condemned
it only as "inipolitic.7 _ - The great fact inAipitria is still the retirement of Count Buol and the appointment of dant ReehbOrg to be the Foreign Minis- ter. It is admitted • even in 'St. Petersburg that Buol was less favourable to Russia than Reehberg, and there may be a lurking hope in the Austrian mind that the new Minister might arrange matters better with Russia ; but the true cause of his appoint- ment is, that he represents and gives voice to the spirit which also animates the song of Vincke.
That there is to be any rapprochement between Austria and Russia is no way apparent ; on the contrary, precisely the same policy which may. be. said to have been initiated in 1854, and to
have been completed before the Crimean war was terminated, still innnifestly. actuates the Emperor Alexander. The semi- official lisvalide -Busse surveys the whole state of the Italian
question in snehterms as would enable us to reprint the comment for our own --noting the position of Austria as an aggressor, and • as defying the other Powers of Europe by slighting the
frolic-teal-for .4 Congress the defensive position of Italy against *gal encroachments ; the enlightened aid afforded by the
Emperor Napoleon, on broad grounds of policy as well as con- sideration for an oppressed: nationality ; and the impolitic inde- otsion of the British.. The Government which authorises the publication of views like these is not likely to be making any progress towards a rapprochement with Austria because the Em- peror has appointed to conduct the foreign affairs of his coun- try a civilian dragoon burning for war against Italy and France.
In Paris our anticipations that the actual commencement of the war would render it popular are more than confirmed. The report issued by M. Magne, the Finance Minister, on the contri- butions to the open loan states that the capital subscribed amounts to more than ninety-two millions sterling. We hear persons ask whether this is true ; but the proof is evident. The Govern- men has avowed its desire for twenty millions in hand to provide for contingencies ; the loan will be allotted to the subiseribers proportionally, and all the great capitalists will obtain a little more than one fifth for the amount for which they. tendered. Now an apportionment of this kind cannot be carried out in any but the most public manner ; and the simple fact that the Go- vernment will only accept little more than one-fifth of the tender from the thousands that have tendered sufficiently prove the real amount offered. It has convinced even the -Times,—recognition by our powerful contemporary being always an' important fact.
The material conflict is still in the preliminary stage. The armies are watching each other at arm's length. •There has been decided change of position ; for the Austrians have withdrawn their forces from Vercelli and have blown up the bridge over the Sesia. The head-quarters are at Garlasoo on the road to Pavia ; the left of the army has been thrown across the Po, and stretches beyond Stradella. The Allies, while keeping masses at Ales- sandria and Casale, have occupied Vereelli on one side and Tortona and Pontecurono on the other. Some persons are ex- pecting a great battle, but they appear to be gifted with sanguine temperaments. They augur fighting from the fact that the Em- peror is on the ground, and that " great movements of troops " have taken place. But it was natural that the allies should streiksthen their right, especially as the Austrians had reconnoi- tred Bobbie and had gathered about Stradella. It may be that the French hope to destroy the Austrian force on the right bank of the Po while it is separated from the centre.
