THE EUROPEAN CRISIS.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 531, 1 August 1866, Page 3

THE EUROPEAN CRISIS.

The news brought by the latest continental journals indicate a lull in the political atmosphere. "Whilst all are prepared, or preparing for war, all seem to shrink from the tremendous responsibility of being the first to commence it. Amid the rumors of proposals for a European congress, and of negotiations for the cession of Venetia, the information arrives that the Italian army is massed along the Po •, that the Austrian army of the north is concentrated in the district of Chrudim, in Bohemia, its four fiz-st divisions occupying the towns of Pardubitz Hohenmanth, Leutomischel, and Landskrom, and that Prussia in addition to her regular army has issued orders for the mobilisation of the first ban of tbe Landwehr, and has her military staffs and stores completely organised for a campaign. The middle states of Germany are placing their armies on a war footing. Even Turkey, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland though outside the immediate circle of impending hostilities, are increasing their forces. Such being the position of affairs, the populations in the countries more immediately interested are becoming uneasy under the tension in which they are kept, and would look for a solution one way or another as a relief. This is more especially the ease in Italy, where public opinion is described as being " in a state of feverish impatience and illdisposed to endure the delays of G-erman foreigner." The journals of the two great powers on the German side of the controversy continue to write with great bitterness on the subject of dispute. The Neve JPrei Presse of Vienna, for example, thus speaks of Prussia : — " This same Prussia, the satellite of Eussia during the Eastern war, which during the war in Italy exchanged fisticuffs with the enemies of Austria — this legitimist Prussia, which takes its crown from off God's altar — which, with a view of subjugating Germany, and transforming Austria into a secondary Sclavo-Magyar state — makes a league with Italy which would lay German territory and German honor at the mercy of the forefinger — this same Prussia presents herself before the federal diet and expresses astonishment that Austria and Saxony should think themselves menaced by her policy. Does this Prussia which has twice declared that she would overrun Saxony with her troops expect to be believed when, heaping lie upon lie, she affirms before Germany and Europe that the security of Berlin is compromised by the policy and military preparations of Herr von Beust. Nay, more, Herr von Bismarck, whose intrigues have entangled King William in an alliance with Victor Emmanuel — this avowed promoter of a traitorous and felonious policy towards ' Germany, who has made rapine, pillage, and violence his programme, has the ! audacity, in the face of the federal diet, to identify his policy with the rights of the German nation, and to accuse the other Governments of Germany with refusing to pay due consideration to the most modest demands of that same Ger- . many. There is no means of wheedling the enemy. Every concession would only augment his covetousness and his . arrogance. Prussia wishes for war. . Very good. Then she shall have it, and we have but one desire on ike subject. • It is this, that if the cannon once roars l and the fortune of war should favor l Austria and her German allies, the sword > shall not be sheathed till it sJ»all be put. ■ for ever out of: the power of Prussia to . trouble any more the peace* of Germany , by her criminal ambition and her 1 traitorous alliances with the stranger." [ The Coblentz Gazette says: — All merjj ) chandise traffic will be suspended from . the 17th to the 25th May along the , entire length of the Ehenish railway, in

order that it may be reserved for the exclusive use of the transport of troops and war material. Soldiers belonging to the reserve of the regiments of the guards are leaving Coblentz every day for Berlin. — English Paper.