EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1370, 29 March 1867, Page 3

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

[From the London Correspondence of the Melbourne "Argus."] The Russian Government has at last made an end officially of Poland. By three decrees, dated 19th of December (old style), the Czar merges Poland in -Russia, destroys her separate financial and postal administration, and redivides her into five Governments, which will be gradually assimilated to Russian Governments in every jvspeet. The Polish language is to he well m'oh abolished, and even the cjletui;;r ls to be exchanged for the liussum. These measures are admitted to bo in open defiance of the Treaties °* Vienna, but then Eussia only does what other great Powers have done be ore. The rupture with Borne was mentioned last month, and the Czar

has himself assumed the functions of the deposed Popo in the Polish provinces of the empire. Meanwhile the Czar is not quite easy. He is jealous of the existence of a portion of the hated race in a comparatively independent position in the province of Galicia ; and the undoubted concentration of Russian troops on tho Austrian frontier sliows an apprehension that a defeat of his schemes for the extinction of Polish nationality may, after all, come from that quarter. Austria, no doubt, intends to use her Galician subjects as an instrument to be used against Russia and Prussia in the event ol the revival of either the Eastern or the German question. According to 1 the " Invalide," the present strength lof the Russian military force is 700,000 men, or 100,000 less than formerly ; but the army could be raised to a full war footing in six weeks. The perils of Austria, from blundering administration, and from the inharmonious demands of its several provinces, do not diminish. During the month an Imperial patent on the reorganisation of the army has been issued, which has deeply offended the Hungarians. Just as the Diet is contending for a guarantee of the Constitutional rights of the nation, the Emperor by his own absolute fiat Axes the blood-tax of the kingdom. In other words, he does arbitrarily just what the Hungarians want to prevent his doing without first securing their consent. The publication of the patent caused intense surprise and indignation. Pesth was greatly excited ; all Hungarian office-holders hastened to give in their resignations; and the people openly declared that they will not submit to the edict. Another patent convokes a Reichsrath from all nonHungarian provinces, to consider a common Constitution for those states, and then to come to some agreement with Hungary. It is felt by most public writers that this is tantamount to giving up the problem as insoluble. In Prussia affairs are assuming their former quietude. The re-settlement of the German nation on its new political basis is slowly proceeding. The North German plenipotentiaries have been busy drawing up the Federal charter to be laid before the new Central Parliament six weeks hence. The elections are to take place on the 12th of February, yet there is no excitement on the subject. The powers of the Great Parliamentwillbeexceedingly restricted, while the Prussian Chambers will be robbed of what little they ever possessed. By the two, the Executive will be greatly strengthened, which will exasperate the Liberals, and probably lead to fresh quarrels with the Government and the King. The present is a period of transition and suspense. The members elected in Prussia to the German Chamber are to be paid. Both the King of Hanover and the Prince of Augustenburg have released their subjects from their allegiance, and there is a talk of the latter bartering his rights for a good round sum. Reports too are in circulation that the Duke of Gotha intends abdicating in favor of the Prussian King. The same tendency is evinced in the States southward. Count Bismarck is more conciliatory than of yore.