This revelation of an almost matchless perfidy has, of course,
excited a ferment both in Belgium and Great Britain. In Belgium a latent sympathy with France has instantly disappeared, and all classes are now ready to defend the national inde- pendence. At home, the Government, while deprecating immediate discussion in Parliament, has declared in both Houses that explanations will be demanded both from Prussia and France, and has issued quiet orders to concentrate the Fleet, to bring up the Artillery to its highest point, and to hurry on recruiting, which has most unfortunately been allowed to become slack. Mr. Disraeli has given notice for Monday of an intention to call the attention of the House to the position of this country with reference to the war, and there is a report—for which we do not vouch—that a supplementary budget is to be introduced. The greatest activity prevails at Woolwich ; all plans of economy are suspended ; and strong efforts are being made to bring the regi- ments of the Line up to their highest level. It was expected that Government would have made some declaration ou Thursday, but it did not, Lord Granville confining himself to a description of his own action in the period before the Deluge,—the negotiations be- fore the War. It is, however, universally understood that the Cabinet has decided not to permit the absorption of Belgium in France.
