Miscellaneous Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 824, 22 September 1870, Page 3

Miscellaneous Items.

[iROM THE NEWS OE THE WORLD.] Count Bernestoff, the Prussian Ambassador in England, has made a public statement that France, in 1866, offered to send Prussia 300,000 men to use against Austria, if Prussia would surrender to France the territory between the Rhine and Moselle $ the rejection of this proposition awoke the Emperor's sympathy with Austria. These offers, which Napoleon finds it convenient to repudiate, have been repeated since 1866. On the 28th of July France inquired through Russia on what conditions peace could be made. Prussia's reply was embodied in four words, "It is too late." A great many English officers of note are joining the Prussian army. France denies the authenticity of the secret treaty said to have been offered to Prussia. An enthusiastic German in Illinois sent a cable telegram to Count Von Bismarck promising to give 200 dollars to the captor of the first French flag. Upon the arrival of the steamship Cimberia at Havre, on her regular trip from Hamburg to New York, 500 German who had paid their passage to America—hearing of the declaration of war—left the ship and returned to Prussia, and enlisted in the army. London, July 25.—The Times publishes the projected treaty submitted by the French to the Prussian Government, and guarantees its authenticity. The preamble sets forth that the King of Prussia and the Emperor of the French, in order to strengthen the friendship, &c, conclude the subjoined treaty:—"ln the first article, Napoleon admits and recognizes the late acquisitions of Prussia from Austria. Second—The Prussian King engages to facilitate the French acquisition of Luxembourg. Third —The Emperor acquiesces in the Union of the North and South German States, Austria excepted. FourthFrance finding it necessary to absorb Belgium, Prussia lends her assistance to that measure, The fifth is the usual articles of offensive and defensive alliance between the two nations."

London, July 26.—Nearly all the journals have editorial remarks this morning on the secret treaty. All are similar in tone j " France must explain this offensive treaty," are the words of the Times, and the burden of the London press. The Times particularly is seeking to make this a pretext for the intervention of England in favor of Prussia. —The attitude of Ireland is also commented upon. After giving the details of many meetings recently held in Ireland, and the strong resolutions of sympathy with France adopted, the Times asserts thas the sympathy is altogether due to Catholicism, and the consequent hatred of German Protestanism. London, July 27.—The English Blue Book, containing the correspondence relative to the candidature of Prince Hohenzollern, was published this morning, but adds no new facts to the history of the case. The upshot of the correspondence is that Earl G-ranville, failing to prevent the war, sought with as little success for guarantees for the safety of secondary neutral powers.— The Times maintains that its publication of the proposed secret treaty between France and Prussia had one good effect; it secured the neutrality of Belgium, which, without the warning, would have been open to violation any moment.—M. Ollivier, in a letter to a friend here, denies the negotiation by France of the alleged secret treaty with Prussia. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs positively denies that France entertained any idea of annexing Belgium.—The number of people who really believe the assurances of the French Ambassador, as quoted by Lord Granville, respecting the proposed treaty, cannot be great; nevertheless there was a great feeling that Lavalette has even professed to be able to explain away so ugly an incident. In addition to what the English Ambassador has telegraphed, the Daily News to-morrow will express the willingness of the Government to accept] friendly assurances from France. It says —«• We are quite ready to admit that whatever has been discussed, nothing unfriendly has been done. Perhaps the misunderstanding just raised will tend to consolidate our friendship, both with France and Prussia. It will have shown we are not disposed to be regarded as of no account in the affairs of Europe, and that any attempt to redistribute European territory and reconstruct the map of Europe made without us would be reckoning without a host. We desire to maintain neutrality, but shall not forget our obligations, nor treaties, nor duties, nor our position, nor the claims of our National honor and pride. We are friends to both parties, but more the

friends of National rigbjb and justice; and whoever infringes that must count on having England for an enemy." This article well expresses the general feeling. Yesterday and to-day all England waited; in suspense for a declaration which almost threatened instant war. With suoh a prospect, anxious eyes turned towards America, and the anxious question was perpetually asked, " What would the United States say and do if we have to side against France ? " There has been great satisfaction in learning that in general the Americans sympathize with Prussia.