Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Week.
be able to avoid the appearance of an aggressive policy if to prevent the now threatening attack of Austria she should be compelled to commence hostilities . Prussia may calm her apprehensions . Everybody believes now that the war is wholly of Count Bismarck ' s seeking , and should hostilities ensue they will assuredly be attributed to Prussia ' s aggressive policy . We have no further definite news from Germany as
to the Austro-Prassian quarrel . There are speculations in plenty , and these for the most part have a Avarlike tendency . The danger of a warlike solution of the difficulty is of course increased by every day ' s delay in the making of pacific overtures . But there is good reason to hope that war will be avoided . Neither nation has much to gain by war , and Austria ,
unless she can make some preliminary arrangement with Italy , will in case of war find herself in a very awkward position . There seems to be little doubt that Italy is carefully preparing to take advantage of a war between Austria and Prussia . A Paris telegram asserts that the disturbances in the Lebanon have been completely quelled . The news from Germany has a
warlike aspect . Prussia has replied to Count Karolyi ' s note . The new communication is eminently characteristic . Count von Bismarck declares that Prussia is in a state of great alarm , in consequence of the arming of Austria . The King of Prussia of course believes in the friendly feeling of the Emperor of Austria ; but why does not Austria appeal to
Article 11 of the Federal Constitution ? All this is very poor acting . It simply means that Bismarck intends to have a war , believing no doubt that in such an event Austria would be attacked in rear by Italy . As to that there can be little doubt he is right . Italy is making preparations , and unless Austria can make some satisfactory arrangement as to Venetia , war with Prussia would mean war with Italy also . In the
meantime it is repeated that the Emperor of Russia has Avritten to both Austria and Prussia , expressing a hope that peace Avill be maintained . He makes no offer of mediation , and , it is said , is much warmer in his expressions of esteem towards Prussia than towards Austria . The Ministers of the Interior and of Finance at Berlin have issued an order prohibiting the exportation of horses . It is said there are great diversities of opinion at the
conferences on the Danubiau Principalities question ; but that upon one question all are agreed , namely , the necessity of preserving the Turkish Empire in its integrity , and the sovereignty of the Sublime Porte over the principalities . The telegram from Brussels seems to show a more pacific tendency in the relations between Austria and Prussia . The Duke of
Saxe-Coburg is , after all , said to be engaged in making pacific overtures , .-uid in this work he is believed to have the best ¦ wishes of Queen Victoria . Russia , too , professes to be anxious that peace should be maintained , and for the first time we have tho mention of some terms upon which the difficulty might be got over . There is not much ,
however , to be hoped from this . The real danger has all along consisted in the fact that Count Bismarck desired war . He is still in office , and the danger grows stronger daily . Meantime it seems that at his suggestion a meeting of tho Federal Diet has been convened . The Japanese Government has agreed to a revision of its treaties with European Powers . There is
nothing new in the relations between Austria and Prussia . Austria indeed appears to be assuming a firmer stand than hitherto , and demands that Prussia shall cease from further arming . The private advices received here all speak of peace as likely to be maintained , but in Paris there is a general belief that war must ensue . It is not easy to see how the quarrel between Austria and Prussia can be solved without war . The two Powers are very much in the position of the two Irish
The Week.
chieftains , one of whom , addressing the other , said , "Youmust pay me tribute ; or else" ; to which the reply was , "I will pay no tribute ; and if" . Austria has called upon Prussia to cease from arming , or else ; Prussia says she will not , and if . Clearly , if diplomacy is to be of any avail here , it must get to work very soon . Both Powers are adding to their armaments , and lessening the chance of a pacific solution . AMEBICA . —The news brought by the Africa from New York Avould seem to allow that the breach between the President and
Congress is widening . The President has vetoed the Civil Rights Bill on the ground that it is unconstitutional , unnecessary , and anomalous in its character , and would override the rights of States as reserved in their legislatures and judicial tribunals . It is believed that the Senate Avill pass the bill over the veto , but that it will be lost in the House of Representatives . General Lee has been giving some interesting evidence
as to the feeling of the people of Virginia . He believes them to be saddened at the result of the war , but loyal . He adds that he believes Virginia Avould be much better off without negroes . A resolution had been passed by the House of Representatives , which seems to indicate a desire to lay differential duties on steamers subsidised by foreign Governments and on
their cargoes . The Fenian excitement in Canada is fairly at an end , and the volunteers are being mustered out . The Germania has arrived , bringing news from New York to the 31 st March . It is of no great interest . There is much curiosity as to the course which will be taken to settle the political differences between the President and Congress . The Fenian
leaders aro now working a new vein . Not having invaded Canada , or British Columbia , or Ireland , their deluded followers are apparently wanting to know what is to be done . The leaders , therefore , have now issued an order that there shall be no disclosure of their plan of operations . No doubt if their real plan , namely , to raise money , was fully disclosed to those Avhom they delude , their mission would speedily be at an end . Gold
was quoted at New York on the 31 st at 127 J . AUSTRALIA ASTD NEAV ZEALAND . —Melbourne telegrams to the 21-th February state that the elections had given a large majority to Ministers . The Governor , in opening Parliament , had announced that the Tariff Bill would be submitted immediately ; that colonial defences were to be begun and a mint established . The Bishop of Melbourne had prohibited the use of organs and the singing of hymns in the English churches ;
at least , so says the telegram , but the statement will not find ready credence . £ 70 , 000 in gold had been shipped during the month for England . New Zealand advices report that General Chute had made a most successful expedition to Taranaki , and that the country was much more settled .
To Correspondents.
TO CORRESPONDENTS .
* * - All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , AA ' . C . M . —Both forms of answer are in use . In tho best working lodge the first is preferred as being more correct . We shall be glad to see you when in London . Q . C . —The practice is most objectionable . 11 . — Address Hyde Pullen , Esq ., Hanover House , Ryde , Isle of
Wight . Ho will be able to supply the information . D . E . —Do not believe in such nonsense . Apply to any Masonic jeweller . P . D . S . —We never heard of the ritual in question . H , ^ . —Bro . G . W . Figg , of No . 6 , Denmark-street , Soho , is the proper officer to address upon the subject referred to in your letterbut as we do not remember your nameand you
; , have not furnished us with your address , we are unable and disinclined to act . P . M . ( Cardiff ) . —We do not agree with you . The conduct of the presiding officer towards the member of the lodge was not only un-Masonic and disgracefully irregular , but also uncourteous , uncalled-for , aud reprehensible .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Week.
be able to avoid the appearance of an aggressive policy if to prevent the now threatening attack of Austria she should be compelled to commence hostilities . Prussia may calm her apprehensions . Everybody believes now that the war is wholly of Count Bismarck ' s seeking , and should hostilities ensue they will assuredly be attributed to Prussia ' s aggressive policy . We have no further definite news from Germany as
to the Austro-Prassian quarrel . There are speculations in plenty , and these for the most part have a Avarlike tendency . The danger of a warlike solution of the difficulty is of course increased by every day ' s delay in the making of pacific overtures . But there is good reason to hope that war will be avoided . Neither nation has much to gain by war , and Austria ,
unless she can make some preliminary arrangement with Italy , will in case of war find herself in a very awkward position . There seems to be little doubt that Italy is carefully preparing to take advantage of a war between Austria and Prussia . A Paris telegram asserts that the disturbances in the Lebanon have been completely quelled . The news from Germany has a
warlike aspect . Prussia has replied to Count Karolyi ' s note . The new communication is eminently characteristic . Count von Bismarck declares that Prussia is in a state of great alarm , in consequence of the arming of Austria . The King of Prussia of course believes in the friendly feeling of the Emperor of Austria ; but why does not Austria appeal to
Article 11 of the Federal Constitution ? All this is very poor acting . It simply means that Bismarck intends to have a war , believing no doubt that in such an event Austria would be attacked in rear by Italy . As to that there can be little doubt he is right . Italy is making preparations , and unless Austria can make some satisfactory arrangement as to Venetia , war with Prussia would mean war with Italy also . In the
meantime it is repeated that the Emperor of Russia has Avritten to both Austria and Prussia , expressing a hope that peace Avill be maintained . He makes no offer of mediation , and , it is said , is much warmer in his expressions of esteem towards Prussia than towards Austria . The Ministers of the Interior and of Finance at Berlin have issued an order prohibiting the exportation of horses . It is said there are great diversities of opinion at the
conferences on the Danubiau Principalities question ; but that upon one question all are agreed , namely , the necessity of preserving the Turkish Empire in its integrity , and the sovereignty of the Sublime Porte over the principalities . The telegram from Brussels seems to show a more pacific tendency in the relations between Austria and Prussia . The Duke of
Saxe-Coburg is , after all , said to be engaged in making pacific overtures , .-uid in this work he is believed to have the best ¦ wishes of Queen Victoria . Russia , too , professes to be anxious that peace should be maintained , and for the first time we have tho mention of some terms upon which the difficulty might be got over . There is not much ,
however , to be hoped from this . The real danger has all along consisted in the fact that Count Bismarck desired war . He is still in office , and the danger grows stronger daily . Meantime it seems that at his suggestion a meeting of tho Federal Diet has been convened . The Japanese Government has agreed to a revision of its treaties with European Powers . There is
nothing new in the relations between Austria and Prussia . Austria indeed appears to be assuming a firmer stand than hitherto , and demands that Prussia shall cease from further arming . The private advices received here all speak of peace as likely to be maintained , but in Paris there is a general belief that war must ensue . It is not easy to see how the quarrel between Austria and Prussia can be solved without war . The two Powers are very much in the position of the two Irish
The Week.
chieftains , one of whom , addressing the other , said , "Youmust pay me tribute ; or else" ; to which the reply was , "I will pay no tribute ; and if" . Austria has called upon Prussia to cease from arming , or else ; Prussia says she will not , and if . Clearly , if diplomacy is to be of any avail here , it must get to work very soon . Both Powers are adding to their armaments , and lessening the chance of a pacific solution . AMEBICA . —The news brought by the Africa from New York Avould seem to allow that the breach between the President and
Congress is widening . The President has vetoed the Civil Rights Bill on the ground that it is unconstitutional , unnecessary , and anomalous in its character , and would override the rights of States as reserved in their legislatures and judicial tribunals . It is believed that the Senate Avill pass the bill over the veto , but that it will be lost in the House of Representatives . General Lee has been giving some interesting evidence
as to the feeling of the people of Virginia . He believes them to be saddened at the result of the war , but loyal . He adds that he believes Virginia Avould be much better off without negroes . A resolution had been passed by the House of Representatives , which seems to indicate a desire to lay differential duties on steamers subsidised by foreign Governments and on
their cargoes . The Fenian excitement in Canada is fairly at an end , and the volunteers are being mustered out . The Germania has arrived , bringing news from New York to the 31 st March . It is of no great interest . There is much curiosity as to the course which will be taken to settle the political differences between the President and Congress . The Fenian
leaders aro now working a new vein . Not having invaded Canada , or British Columbia , or Ireland , their deluded followers are apparently wanting to know what is to be done . The leaders , therefore , have now issued an order that there shall be no disclosure of their plan of operations . No doubt if their real plan , namely , to raise money , was fully disclosed to those Avhom they delude , their mission would speedily be at an end . Gold
was quoted at New York on the 31 st at 127 J . AUSTRALIA ASTD NEAV ZEALAND . —Melbourne telegrams to the 21-th February state that the elections had given a large majority to Ministers . The Governor , in opening Parliament , had announced that the Tariff Bill would be submitted immediately ; that colonial defences were to be begun and a mint established . The Bishop of Melbourne had prohibited the use of organs and the singing of hymns in the English churches ;
at least , so says the telegram , but the statement will not find ready credence . £ 70 , 000 in gold had been shipped during the month for England . New Zealand advices report that General Chute had made a most successful expedition to Taranaki , and that the country was much more settled .
To Correspondents.
TO CORRESPONDENTS .
* * - All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , AA ' . C . M . —Both forms of answer are in use . In tho best working lodge the first is preferred as being more correct . We shall be glad to see you when in London . Q . C . —The practice is most objectionable . 11 . — Address Hyde Pullen , Esq ., Hanover House , Ryde , Isle of
Wight . Ho will be able to supply the information . D . E . —Do not believe in such nonsense . Apply to any Masonic jeweller . P . D . S . —We never heard of the ritual in question . H , ^ . —Bro . G . W . Figg , of No . 6 , Denmark-street , Soho , is the proper officer to address upon the subject referred to in your letterbut as we do not remember your nameand you
; , have not furnished us with your address , we are unable and disinclined to act . P . M . ( Cardiff ) . —We do not agree with you . The conduct of the presiding officer towards the member of the lodge was not only un-Masonic and disgracefully irregular , but also uncourteous , uncalled-for , aud reprehensible .