AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 214, 26 May 1866, Page 3

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.

Alarming war rumours continue to circulate in Vienna. At Pruchna, on the Austro-Prussian frontier, space has been marked out for a military encampment. Four thousand labourers are to bo employed in repairing and arming the fortifications of Cracow, for which work the sum of one million florins will be applied. The commanders of the different regiments have received orders to concentrate their troops near tho lines of railway, and reinforcements are being sent to Venetia. Plans have been drawn up for the construction of a largo railway network to embrace the wholo of the interior of the Austrian empire. The expenses are to be defrayed by the issue of railway bonds to the amount of 300 million florins, bearing interest at 8 per cent., and redeemable within 32 years. Although it is stated that the Prussian cabinet has not yet 'sent its long-expected despatch to Vienna in regard to the Duchies, many verbal communications on the subject continue to pass between the representatives of the two Powers and the Governments to whioh they are accredited. —March 22, being the birthday of the King of Prussia, he received the chief officers of the staff. In his reply to their congratulations, the king adverted in very firm and serious language to the present political difficulties, but added that a hope of peaceful solution must not be abandoned. — It is said that the Queen of England has used her influence to persuade the King of Piussia to avoid hostilities with Austria.