The Highland Weekly News

Highly Important from Europe -- War Probably Commenced.

The steamer Niagara arrived at Halifax on Thursday last, with Liverpool dates to the 23d of April. The Austrian and Italian difficulties had suddenly been brought to a crisis, by the peremptory demand of Austria that Sardinia should disarm her forces. The Austrian government allowed three days for an answer and in the event of a refusal threatened to declare war immediately. The British Government immediately telegraphed to Vienna a strong protest against the course of Austria, to which the latter replied that her decision was final, and could not be recalled.

The following telegraphic dispatches from London to Liverpool give the latest intelligence received up to the sailing of the steamer:

Latest by Telegraph from London to Liverpool.

London, April 23. The Daily News says that the reply of the Emperor of Austria has been received. He declines to reconsider the responsibility incurred in commencing war in the heart of Europe. Count Buol declares that his master, having taken his course, will pursue it to the end.

The Times says that the Imperial Manifesto which is to accompany the declaration of war against Sardinia, is already prepared. Austria is mistress of her position, and is ready by act of state and deed of war to initiate the sanguinary drama upon which the curtain is about to rise.

No doubt a general movement of the French forces has taken place on the entire Piedmontese frontier.

The English journals generally think that the last chance of peace has about vanished.

The London Herald gives in a semi-official form, specific and exclusive information of the movement of the French Army. It says that orders have been given for the embarkation at Toulon, of 30,000 troops, not to sail, however, till further orders. The divisions at Lyons, Grenoble, Besancon, etc., were also ready to march on a minute's notice, but not to move until further orders. The total French force destined to co-operate with Sardinia in the event of war, is estimated at 80,000. They will be formed in two divisions, one under Gen. Canrobert and the other under Gen. Baraguay d'Hilliers, and the whole to be under the command of the Emperor in person.

The three days given to Sardinia for the consideration of the Austrian ultimatum, expired on the 19th of April. Unless Sardinia yielded to the extraordinary demand, or Austria receded from her position, both of which events are regarded as unlikely to occur, it is probable that blood has already been shed and Europe will soon be the scene of one of the most terrible and destructive wars the world has ever witnessed. The next news will be looked for with great interest.

LATER.

Since the foregoing intelligence was received, another steamer has arrived, bringing advices from Europe to the 30th. 100,000 Austrian troops are reported to have entered Sardinia, and war was considered inevitable.