THE MAY MAILS FROM ENGLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 261, 25 July 1866, Page 2

THE MAY MAILS FROM ENGLAND.

(FROM THE MBLBOUBNB ABOT3, JOLT 13.)

Tho Peninsular and Oriental steamship Bombay, with the May mails front England, anchored in Hobaon's Bay .yesterday, at eleven o'clock. Tho' following letters from our Lon. don correspondent wore published soon afterwards in a second edition of " The Argus :" — London, May 2fi.

THE '.IMPENDING WAR.

Tho great fact of the month is that Europe is on tho brink of a stupendous war. The minor but subsidiary facts are, that Italy, Austria, and Prussia are are fully 1 anned — that nearly 2,000,000 of men are oither in position or in active preparation for the field — that the most intense exasperation exists between the bellicoso powers— that Italyi impelled by a patriotic enthusiasm amounting almost to madness h'da resolved to stake her very existence on tho liberation and annexation of Vonetia — that Austria, through all her composite races, Italians alone excepted, is bent on fighting, and threatens her arrogant rival with a defeat so complete as to put an end for ever to all claims of supremacy in Germany — and, finally, that Prussia, whose ambition provoked the present antagonism, is the only power which shows any timidity or want of appetite for -the fray. "The King is evidently frightened at the muttcrings of the coming storm, and both citizens and soldiers dd not hesitate to manifest their etrong repugnance to the conflict into which tho nation has been dragged by that arch-plotter, Count Bismarck. During the mouth, moreover, tho oracle of the Tuileries has spoken, and the Imperial utterances have been universally interpreted as indicative of war. For a fortnight past the outbreak of hostilities has been hourly expected. The ear of Europe has been strained to catch the sound of the first gun. Neither of the combatants cares to incur the responsibility of striking the first blow, each of them having solemnly asserted the puroly defensive character, of their armaments, and pledged their word not to break the peace. Some accident, some volunteer raid, or BOmd fortuitous collision, howeverj it has been expected, would inflame the hot blood of confronted antagonists, and thus precipitate tho terrible conflict. Many persons believe that May will not expire without witnessing the commencement of the war.

THE DIPLOHATIST3 AT WOEK.

For tho moment there is a lull— the breathless hush which so often precedes the bursting of the tempeßt. Diplomatists are busy with then: lust despairing efforts at conciliation. The neutral powers are negotiatiiig with the view of assembling a congress, at which the grave questions now agitating the Continent may be discussed and amicably settled. Eng« land, France, and Russia have been for some timo pa»t engaged in this pacificatory task ; but, if we JJmay believe the leading organs of those countries, neither of their Governments is aanguiue of success. Each of the belligerents would, at a preliminary to tho negotiations, be compettV -I to make concessions which would bo regard . aa utterly inadmissible. Italy insists, for <. ttnple, a» an indispensable basis of a conferei . ', that Austria ihall cede Venetia to its rigL. ul owner ; Austria, it is said, indignantly rol . es to make such a sacrifice, unless adequate V compensated — by the annexation of Silesia :r example — a proposal which kindles tho lesentment of Prussia. Turning our attention in another direction, we see Prussia wishing to possess herself of tbe Elbe Duchies, and to reform tho Federal Constitution, with a view to her ascendancy in Germany ; ;but Austria does not choose that her arrogant rival should have tho Duchies, and if she is willing to consent to a federal reform, it must bo of such a nature as would not be acceptablo to Prussia. Between powers severed by such conflicting interests, anned a to the teeth, and exasperated by reciprocal insults and defiance, the prospect of moderate councils is gloomy indeed. No one now looks for a solution of the envenomed problems which have led to the present threatening attitude, except by tbe bloody arbitrament of the sword. The oongreis proposal it a saero pretext for gaining timo. It is in everybody's recollection that a similar diplomatic feint has preceded the two last great European wars. The tantalising illusions of peace ure kept dancing before the eyes of ,he public till all is ready ; the canuon then booms, and grim war sends its thrill of excitr.-.-nt through tho nation.

831 AIL HOPS O* PBJ - 1

Tho "Moniteur" certainly continues to prattle of peace, and so it did ; > the very day when the French troops stanod on tho road for Italy. The pacific declarations of the official journal, however, are contradicted by the fact which bas recently transpired, that tho Emperor Napoleon is actively preparing for war. Commissariat contracts have been entered into on a very large scale. The railways and the Mediterranean steamers have been warned to hold thonuolves in readines* for the conveyance of troops. Powerful corps of "observation" are being moved to the Rhine and to the Italian frontiers. Tho role which tho Emperor intends to piny U & wellkept secret ; it may have been all concerted and arraugod with BUmarck and Victor Emmanuel, or it may be left open for tho guidance of circumstances. France will probably strike in at tho favorable moment, but whether on behalf of Austria or Prussia will depend on which of those powers proves itself most willing to co-operate with tho Emporor in carrying out his " ideag."

NAPOLEON'S BPEICH. A clue to his policy has been supplied in a speech delivered on Sunday, the 6th inßtant, at Auxerro, a little historic town in Burgundy, famous for its attachment to tho Napoleonic dynasty. An agricultural show took place on that day, and the mayor made a loyal speech, in response to which the Emporor uttered a few sentences which convulsed tho Bourse, enraged many of his subjects, and made quite a commotion throughout Europe. The speoch ran as follows :—": — " 1 see with pleasure that the memory of the First Empire hai not been effacod from your minds. Believe mo, for my own part, I have inherited the feelings entertained by the chief of my family for this energetic and patriotic population, who sustained tho Emperor in good as in evil fortune. I have a debt of gratitude to discharge towards Yonne. This department was the first to give me its suffrages in 1848, because it knew, with the majority of th« French people, that its interests were my interestf, and that I detested equally with them those treaties of 1815 which it is now lought to make the sole basi» of our foreign policy. I thank you for the sentiment! you have axpressed towards me. .Among you I breathe freely, for it is aniettg the working population; both in town and coimtrr, th« 4 I flud $»• r*tl g«niu» of Franco,"

The attack on the ," detested treaties of 1815, was/every where regarded as the signal for war, and speculation was rife as to which of those existing treaties the Emperor next intended to "tear to tattevs" and scatter to the winds. Tho "Times" correspondent says the. passage Sn question was not in the original speech *U delivered at Auxerre, but was supplied to ttie ' Momteur" on the Emperor's return to Paris. The portion in which he compliments the working classes, stating that among them he discerned " the true genius of France," and that among them he always " breathed freely," was regarded as an insult directed against the bourgeoisie of Paris and the large towns, and a defiance hurled at the swelling minority among the deputies, who a few days before hadvehemently applauded 11. Tbiers' speech, in which that statesman had eloquently exposed an(f condemned the foreign policy <5f the Freiicn Government, and especially the secret league into which it is believed to have entered with Prussia. The Emperor was greatly irritated at tho demonstration of feeling on that occasion, and he took this method of showing his resentment.

STATE OF ITAI.Y.

Recent letters from Florence state that there is considerable irritation among the Italian people, in consequence of the tone of the English press, Government, and public, in speaking of tho Coining war. Like the Americans during their civil war, the Italians are disposed to resent our want of hearty sympathy in the.n? meditated struggle with Austria. Impatient for war themseltcs, they are angry that wo' do h'dt urge them to the attack, and wish therti complete success. Blinded by a pardonable enthusiasm, they ascribe our coolness to mercenary motives. We are afraid of losing a great deal of money by the war, they think. They shut their eyes to the fact that it is to the bad companionship in which Italy is found that tho English press objects, nnd that were the struggle for Venico undertaken with a better ally, Italy woidd find the warmest sympathy in this country. Under the popular excitement^ all. political animosities are extinguished j north and south, in Parliament and in tho press, a wonderful unanimity prevails. B 7 unanimous votes of the Chambers, tho Government is invested with unlimited powers for the national armament. Garibaldi has been nominatld to a generalship in the Italian army, and in a single week 26,000 volunteers flocked to his standard. A powerful navy, divided into three squadrons, is assembled in the Adriatic ; and there is a fleet of transports which, with some large steamers of the mercantile marine, would suffice to convey an army of 60,000 men. The long-rumored military convention with Prussia has at length been signed. By this instrument both of the allies pledge themselves to strike in as soon as either of them is attacked, and neither is to make peace with the enemy without the con* gent and concurrency of his confederate;

lEEIIKQ- IK PBTTSSIA.

But while Italy is thus pantingiorthe combat, the power which by its selfish machinations produced all this confusion and mischief hangs back. Bismarck and his royal master have miscalculated in many respects. Neither the people nor the, army have any stomach for the fight.. They already foresee that they aye likely to lose more than they are likely to gain by a war. Even if successful, the annexation of the Elbe Duchies would be dearly purchased by the cession of the Rhinelands to France as the price of her neutrality/ Then Prussia has been disappointed with the attitude and leanings of the minor G-erman states. They-will maintain an armed neutrality as long as possible, and when compelled to fight will probably side with Austria. An' angry and threatening correspondence has lately been going on between Bismarck and the Goverments of Saxony and Hanover. They refuse to disarm at the bjdding of Prussia. Tjic rulers at Berlin are in a mess. A spirit of sullen dissatisfaction prevails. A few days since a Congress of German deputies assembled at BVankfort, to the number of 200, and adopted aresolution condemnatory of a war; It declared those who might cause one guilty of gravecrimestowardsthe nation, and threatened, with, tho national execration those who might attempt to dispose of any portion of G-erman territory to foreigners. The meeting also 'passed a resolution in favor of the neutrality of the states not actually involved in the dispute, declaring that it was their duty to keep their forces intact, so that if occasion shall arise they may be in a position to maintain the territorial integrity of Germany. Bi8 : inarck is evidently an object of deep suspicion, " and bas failed to hoodwink the people 1 with his fallacious promises of German Parliaments, universal suffrage, and union of fatherland, under the benificent sway of Prussia. With the army Bismarck is Btttl more unpopular. A spirit of resistance and mutiny is said to be rifo. The reoruits are dragged reluctantly from their homes, and a party of them a week ago are reported to have wrenched doors off then- hinges in their rage, and smashed scores of panes of glass, to the hated name of Bismarck. Such things are not ominous of success. The morale and organisation of the Austrian troops, on the other hand, are excellent. They are not only more numerous than those of the north German power, but of admirable spirit, and longing for a brush with the Prussians. Between 600,000 and 700,000 are in readiness to take the field, and in a few weeks 300,000 more could be mustered.

THE ME3T MOVEMENT.

Tho mode in which a collision is likely to be brought about has been a good deal discussed. Should Prussia commence the conflict, it will probably bogby seizing on Saxony, and possessing herself of Dresden and Leipsic ; another seat of war would, no doubt, be Silesia. But it is generally thought that the first attack will come from Italy — in Dalmatia, by the volunteers — or, by the aid of their navy, the communications between Vienna and Venice will be intercepted. A few days, however, will put an cud to all conjecture.

BOUMANIA.

In tholmidst of all this embroilment another difficulty has arisen to disturb the peace of Europe. The Kaumans, persisting in their right to elect a foreign prince to rule over them, about a month ago chose Prince Charles of Hohenzollcrn. It was reported that he had declined the honor, but on tho 22nd he landed incognito, announced his name to the authorities, and received a magnificent ovation ; immediately whereupon Turkish and Russian troops crossed the fronteir, and marched into Jassy.

ATTEMPTED AS3ASBINATIONS.

In the midst of this great European drama the assassin has again become a prominent figure. Scarcely had the thrill of excitement subsidod .which followed the attempt upon the ' life of the Czar when we were startled to hear that a no less conspicuous personage than Count Bismarck had also been attacked. On the 7th of May the Count was walking down one of tho most frequented thoroughfares ,of the capital when a man fired a pistol at him from behind. Wonderful to relate, considering the proximity, the ball missed its aim, and before ho could discharge bis revolver a second time a tradesman passing rushed upon him. In the struggle he fired two more balls, when Count Bismarck, firsnly seizing him by the right arm, threw himself upon him. The assassin, catching his pißtol into the left; hand, pressed it against his victim's bveast, and a fourth time fired ; but in the rapid movement of the moment the pistol was turned aside, so that the ball only grazed the skin. ' Soldiers coming up terminated the terrible struggle ; but unhappily aii artisan passing was wounded by one of the stray balls. The assassin proved p bt a young man of the name of Bknd, op

rather of Cohen ; for he was but the step-son of the exile .whose name he had adopted. He is said to have been amiable and talented, and a, student at Hohenheiin, in Wurtemberg, from tvllicli place he tnado his way to Berlin, Urged .onward by ,a fanatical determination to destroy the man whom lie conceived to be the worst enemy of " German liberty. He had- not been many hours in prison when, feigning to wipe the perspiration from his fapej he concealed a penknile under his handkerchief, and so committed suicide. It is a curious illustration of German theorising that it has been scientifically inferred from this statement of facts that Count Bismarck wears a coat of mail. More true it is ( I fear, that he has since received numerous threatening letters. +HE ATTEMPT ON THE CZAS'S tIVS. # The career of the man who attempted the assassination of the Emperor of Eussiahasnow been fully traced out. It was some days before his name was discovered* and then rather strangely. The keeper of an hotel near the Moscow railway station gave notice to the police that one of his lodgers had been some time absent ; search was made in tho i vacant apartment, and a powder-flask and other appurtenances of firearms found ; and eßme torn pieces of paper, whichj being put jhgpfT>or, gave tho name of a most respectable individual, who waß immediately put under arrest, and taken to St. Petersburg .Being there questioned os to his .relatives and iriendß, he mentioned, amopg, ,them a cousin, 6ne M. Karakozoff, "an inoffensive young man, afflicted with diaeaso, and who he protested, when asked, wa3 quite incapable of such a criminal act as an attempt on the life of the Emperor." What was his consternation, however to find, when confronted with the assassin, that it really was his hypochondriacal cousin. The yoang man is said to have been made the instrument of ultra-socialist conspirators. He is of tho Tartar origin, and the son of a small landed proprietor. General Mouravieff, of terrible lame, has been, appointed to preside over a commission to investigate tho circum stances of the crime. "My powers are weak," he said, at a banquet given to the ennobled peasant who saved the Emperor's life, " I am old and feeble, but I would relinquish my hold on life at once rather than that there should be a chance of this deed remaining unrequited. It is the act not of a single individual, but of many acting in concert." Numerous arrests have been made, chiefly amongst tho students or Poles. But on the surface of society there is no symptom of disloyalty ; only a vague yearning sometimes expressed for political and social improvements. Addresses of congratulation have poured in upon the Emperor ftbin, ail quarters. Meanwhile, the two chief officers of the St Petersburg police have been deposed, and men of greater energy appointed.