In the North of Germany the principal facts appear to
be these. The Prussians have called on Saxony to disarm, and have refused to disarm themselves, unless Austria desists from her armaments in Venetia. They have also purchased many horses, and made some other preparations for war. It is, however, rumoured that the King has received an autograph letter from the Czar, informing him that many of the Ger- man princes are relatives of the House of Romanoff, which, should they be attacke I, will feel bound to defend them,—a letter which, if it has been sent, prohibits German unity. Such an in- terference would no doubt be in accordance with Russian policy, but it can hardly have been attempted in this direct form. If it has, the King has only to publish the letter to make Germany eager for the war so insolently forbidden. Russia forgets appa- rently the existence of Poland. The remaining statements, reports, and telegrams, innumerable as they are, amount in feet only to this, that we are a little nearer to war than we were last Saturday, but that unless Austria crosses the Mincio the initiative still rests with the old Prussian King. As long as he gives no order to seize Dresden, peace continues possible.
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