Among foreign states, Prussia is still the one watched with
the most jealousy. Spain, indeed, is not yet out of hot water, Mr. Soule and the Government not having arranged the amount of the indemnity for the insult offered to the Black Warrior ; a claim which gives rise to heated language, especially in the mouth of the American Gaul. Naples is evincing new symptoms of its alarm at the growing aspirations of the Muratist party in Italy and France. Piedmont is between two fires of questions and propositions, from Austria and Prussia—the former proposing cooperation in internal measures of a repressive kind, the latter putting suggestive ques- tions as to Piedmontese intentions in regard to the war. But these are only continued signs of the continued unsettlement.
Prussia appears to have made a decided move in an untoward direction. She has just concluded a convention offensive and de- fensive with Austria. It is probable that the Government at Vienna would not enter into any very important compact bearing on the war without communicating its general character to the British Government ; but a strong suspicion exists, that besides a joint and reciprocal guarantee of outlying provinces, such as the non-German provinces of Austria and the Polish part of Prussia, which both powers would join in defending for each other, there is a secret compact to prevent any change- of the Russian territory and frontier. Whether that is so or not, the- tendency of Prussia is only too evident In a statement to the First Chamber, M. Manteuffel has admitted, or rather averred, that the policy of Prussia is centered in securing her own welfare, - in avoiding war for Germany, and in maintaining a neutrality more neutral than that advocated by Austria—more cold and re- served. Prussia seeks to preserve a waiting policy, to take advantage of the ulterior turn of affairs, gati possibly at a inter stage to turn against the allies whom now she dares not provoke.
