AUSTRIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 297, 5 September 1855, Page 3

AUSTRIA.

(From the Correspondent of the " Time 3.") Vienna, April 29. In bis reply, on the 24th of April, to Lord Hardewicke's question as to tbe position in which Austria was placed, Lord Clarendon declared that it was ont of his power to say. It is more than probable that the answer was considered evasive, but in reality such is not the case. However, a brief summary of what has recently occurred here will enable the public to jud<re for itself. Towards the middle of this month such a strong impression prevailed here that Russia would accept those conditions relative to tbe Black Sea which Austria had declared to be just and reasonable, that tbe most influential persons in the Empire were lulled into complete security, and plans were even made for greatly reducing the army. The Russian Government, whose agents are as much at home iv the palaces of Vienna as in tbe houses and huts ofthe inhabitants of the Austro-Slavo-nic provinces, soon obtained information of what was going on, and the natural consequence was that Prince Gortschakoff and M. de Titoff received instructions not to accept the conditions which bad been proposed, although they were tbe mildest that Russia could hope to obtain. Tt is notorious that several of tbe most highlyplaced military "men in this empire have an undue bias in favour of Russia ; and it is now whispered that some of them have repeated certain expressions which fell from tbe lips of their Imperial master that were not intended for publicity. His Majesty had repeatedly declared it to be his opinion " that peace would be maintained," aud his meaning probably was that Russia was willing to make such concessions as would obviate the necessity of war. The philo-Russians, however, think fit to attach a different sense to the words of the monarch, and the consequence is that the public is greatly inclined to believe that Austria will not, under any circumstances, go to war. The rumours which

were in circulation must hare reached the ears of the Emperor, for orders were suddenly issued from the Central Military Chancellery that the first army corps, which is now stationed here, should march to the north, and be replaced by third army corps, which is lying in Styria. The sixth army corps, now in Italy, is to move up to Styria, and to go into cantonments near the Southern railroad, so that the obstinacy recently displayed by the Russsians has been replied to by a demonstration made by an additional hundred thousand men. It is related that an officer of tbehighestrank who has recentlydistinguished himself by his leaning towards Russia, was not consulted about the above-mentioned concentration of troops, but that tbe order came directly from His Majesty, who, in his own handwriting, added to that part of it which relates to the advance ofthe first army corps towards Olmutz and Cracow, " to be accompanied by tbe 14lh Jager battalion." The energy displayed by the Emperor, has greatly disturbed the equanimity of the Russians, and they are now endeavouring to lay the storm by means of what Sam Slick calls " soft sawder." Count Stackelberg, the military member of the Russian Embassy, cannot bear even to think of the possibility of a conflict with Austria,— " It would be so unnatural, so deeply afflicting,'' &c. The object of the Russians evidently is to keep Austria out of tbe field until the summer regularly sets in, when it will be '' too warm *' to commence a campaign, and when autumn comes it will be " too late "to do so. During the last two days M. de Bourquency has bad no interview with Count Buol, and it is probable that the British Minister has not seen him since the day before yesterday ; nevertheless the relations between the three statesmen are of the most satisfactory description. Yesterday Prince' Gortschakoff was closeted for a whole hour with the Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and it is therefore not unlikely that the Russian Cabinet is about to bring forward another proposition. Thus much for the military proceedings of Austria ! It is not positively known what the Russian Ministers proposed to the allies during the last Conference, at which M. Droun de Lbuys was present, but it is notorious that the conditions were totally unacceptable. It seems that the St. Petersburg Cabinet persisted in refusing to consent to any limitation of the fleet, but had no objection to the Turks strengthening their navy as much as they pleased, and to their admitting their allies into the Straits and the Black Sea, should they consider it necessary. In short, Prince Gortschakoff and his coadjutor attempted to overreach their opponents, but completely failed in tbe attempt, for Austria rejected the propositions just as positively as the Western Powers. It is rumoured that the Porte is anxious to make peace, and the report is very likely to be correct, as a prolonged sojourn of his"allies in tbe neighbourhood of Constantinople would hardly be to tbe taste ofthe Sultan. Very great difference of opinion prevails here as to the next steps which the diplomatists are likely to take, but to me it is evident enough what will be done. The Anstrians, both Sovereign and subjects, deeply feel the truth ofthe proverb, that " Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." and before any great length of time has elapsed tbe world will bear that England, France, Turkey, and Austria—and perhaps even Prussia —have sent in an ultimatum, of some kind or other, to the great d sturber of the peace of Europe. Russia is no admirer of categorical notes, and she will therefore do one of two things—either she will return no answer at all, or accept tbe conditions with reservations, which will render further negociations necessary. If Austria attaches her signature to such an tdtimatum, will it be with the pledge that, if it is not aDcepted, she will proceed actively against Russia? This, in fact, is what tbe Earl of Hardwicke wants to know, and his fellowcountrymen with him. -Perhaps no one but the Emperor Francis Joseph can give a positive reply to the question, but very few persons are better able than myself to express an opinion on the subject. Men"who have an opportunity of seeing behind the scenes —in a word professional diplomatists—fb-mly believe that Russia will by the end of May have accepted the conditions made by the Allies, or that Austria will declare war against her. This, however, is not my impression. If Russia remain obdurate, Austria will again apply to the Bund fot its assistance, for the truth of'the matter is that she must have the assistance of that unwieldy ally, unless, indeed, France is able to place 100,000 men as an

army of reserve within the Austrian territories. Early this morning telegraphic ad vices > were received here that an attempt bad been made on the life of the Emperor Napoleon, and the circumstance will hardly fail to have a direct influence on the future policy of Austria. Louis Napoleon.will have the warmest sympathy of the Emperor Francis Joseph, who will, besides see how imperatively necessary it is not to postpone tbe definite settlement of the great question now pending. What would become of Turkey,, what indeed would become of Austria, should they suddenly be deprived of their powerful ally by the hand of a base assassin ? The high finance of tbis city is so deeply involved in speculations undertaken under the impression that Russia would yield, that it is half frantic at the very idea of war, and would, had it the power, make " ducks and drakes" of the future welfare ofthe kingdom and the honour of its rulers. The loss caused by the inundations in Hungary is said tojjamount to 12,000,000 or 15,000,000 florins. The frost has done so much damage to the tender shoots of tbe mulberry trees that the silkworms are likely to be without food. The vines in Italy and the Tyrol also show symptoms of the disease they had last year. In Hungary, on the contrary, the vines are perfectly healthy. Mv impression was that drumhead law was entirely abolished throughout the empire, but we read in the Hungarian papers, that such a tribunal sentenced three men to death for highway robbery ; they were hanged on the 26th.