AUSTRIA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 69, 24 November 1855, Page 3

AUSTRIA.

DECLARATION TO THE lUET

Vienna, July 10th. — The relations between Austria and Prussia are improving. They are supposed to be about to submit propositions to the Diet.

The declaration made to the Diet at Frankfort, by Austria, has created a lively sensation in Paris. It is known that France* and England consider this article as very satisfactory, and that good feeling is established between Vienna, Paris, and London. Territorial stipulations have been concluded, or are on the point of being concluded, to give to the Ans-tro-western Alliance a solid and certain basis. A little repair or alteration will take place in the map of Europe by the cession which Austria will make to Piedmont of some of her possessions in the north of Italy ; on the other hand, the Western Powers will give up the Principalities to Austria, and will render to Turkey the Crimea as a compensation. This is stated to be one of the most certain arrangements which will come out of the actual war. Passing over the first portion of this paper, which is a justification of the part taken by Austria in the conferences, we come to the following passages : — The Austrian Government will candidly explain to its German confederates how it regards i its position, and how it wishes it to be understood by all the world.

There has been a divergence between Austria and the courts of Paris and London on a question of application; but the principles established in common have lost nothing of their force. The bonds of alliance continue to subsist, aud in the eyes of the Imperial Cabinet nothing is changed in the mutual relations of the allied powers.

The Emperor has not thought it consistent with the interest of his country to take up arms for the interpretation that France and Eugland put on the third point. The belligerent Powers made use of their right ; the sentiment of his Majesty respecting the common object of attainment remains the same. Decided on persevering in her present path, Austria will maintain invariably the recognised bases of peace ; she will maintain them, as far as the obligations she bns entered into require of her, with all her influence and all her strength. A peace that would not secure the execution of the four guaranteed points, such as they were laid down at the Conference, would not "offer to Austria sufficient guarantees for the future tranquillity of Europe. Austria, therefore, regards the understanding come to on the two first points as an acquired fact. She has indicated a mode for regulating the third point : it is requisite that this question should receive a clear and precise solution, insuring security to the interests of Europe, but the acceptance of which should not be derogatory to the dignity of any one of the Powers. Austria has proved by her intervention what importance she attaches to the integrity of the Ottoman empire ; she will equally persist for the future in placing Turkey under a general and efficacious guarantee. Not only will she herself respect this guarantee, but in case of need she will also know how to cause it to be respected. Already at this moment she considers herself, in the position she has assumed on the Danube, called on to watch over the maintenance of this principle. Her troops will remain in the Principalities until the conclusion of peace, and she hopes to fulfil her mission there until the end.

As for the fourth point, Austria relies on the sympathy of Europe for the Christians placed under the dominion of the Ottoman empire. She has no, doubt, as soon as the right moment shall have arrived, that all the Powers will heartily concern themselves in the interests of the Eastern Christians, respecting, of course, the rights of the Sultan's sovereignty.

The Emperor would rejoice if ere long the work of peace could be resumed. He caused it to be declared at the conferences that he would make no demand springing out of his personal interest, but that he would uphold all those presenting a general interest. He will maintain his present altitude so long as he can preserve the hope of attaining the object of his pacific efforts. In this state of things his Majesty has felt it his duty to think of alleviating the burdens of his country. Nevertheless, on account of the uncertainty pervading the situation, the measures about to be taken will be such as to enable us to be ready for every eventuality. Chauges will take place in the position of the troops on a war footing, but they will be combined so as to permit the resumption by the army of its old positions within the briefest space of time.

Austria demands of the Germanic confederation to maintain the attitude it took in consequence of the resolutions passed at the Diet on the 9th of December and the Bth of February. She hopes that the devotion with which she has defended German interests will procure for her the support of her federal allies.

A Huge Pilk of Sehpents. — Baron Humboldt says: "In the savannahs of Izacnbo, Guiana, I saw the moHt wonderful and terrible spectacle lhat can be neen; and although it be not uncommon to the natives, no traveller has ever mentioned it. We were ten men on horse back, two of whom took the lead, in order to Round the passages, while 1 preferred to i-kirt the great fore?ts. One of the men who formed the vanguard returned at full gallop and called to me, ' Here, Sir, come and see serpents in a pile.' He pointed to something elevated in the middle of the savannah or <uvamn, which appeared like a bundle of arms. One of my company said, 'This is certainly one of the asuemblies of serpents which heap themselves on each other after a violent tempest. I have heard of these, hut never 'saw any; let us proceed cautiomly, and not go too near them.' When we were within twenty paces of it, the terror of our horses prevented our approaching nearer, to which none «>f us inclined. On a sudden Ihe pyramid mass became agitated ; a horrid hissing issued from it, thousands of Ferpents rolled spirally on each other, and shot forth out of the circle their envenomed darts and fiery eyes to U9. I own I was the first to riraw back, but when ' I saw this formidable phalanx remain at its post, I and appear to be more disposed to defend itself ! than to attack us, I rode round in order to view its order of battle, which faced the enemy on every side. I then thought what could be the design of this assemblage; and I concluded that this species fof serpent dreaded some colossal enemy, which 'might be the great serpent or cayman, and that I they unito themstlves so as to resist biro in a I masp."