The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-10 00:00:00

German Sovereigns are her satraps, and the people
of Germany either her dupes or her slaves. She
commands a considerable and efficiently equipped.
army, a force capable, if well handled, of putting
down any professorial insurrection in Berlin, but
which Austrian officers believe they could give a
good account of in the field. For the rest Prussia
depends on an alliance that is at present simply for'
midable in its diplomatic appearance, and on the
reluctance of England and France to engage
prematurely in a war the results of which they
cannot forecast. The latter is, probably, not the
least consideration ; for Count Bismarck
would hardly have demanded from Den-
mark more than she could with honour and seen'
rity afford to pay if he had not been intimately
persuaded that he was dictating terms to a fallen
and friendless nation ; and this, that aggravates
the criminality and cowardice of the proceeding, is
the fatal error which Prussia may not discover
until it is too late to retreat from the position she
has taken up. Every act arising oat of the aggres-
sion which has gratified Prussian ambition at the
expense of Denmark proves more and more cogently
that it is necessary to maintain some code of inters,
national law, and that such a law can only be main-
tained by force of arms. It is too evident that, as
things now are, the Powers of Europe think they
may do what seems right in their own eyes, and.
that the possession of might is often held to oonstio
tate right. This, however, cannot go on, and in one
way or in another the securities for peace must be
re-established. Prussia is only heaping fuel on the
fire she has kindled, and her avarice can precipitate
the inevitable conflagration. We do not ask the
Germans to believe what it is not likely they will
now believe until the conviction is brought home to
them ; but they might at least take warning from
the history of their own country, and from its actual
condition. Let them place no dependence on the
military power of Prussia, for it is neither more nor
less than it has been in times past. No doubt the
Prussians could have beaten the Danes single-
handed, and would have done so if Austria had not,
for reasons of her own, resolved to keep them in
view. That was altogether an unequal battle, and.
one, it should be remembered, in which the Danish
people, as a people, did not take part. The invasion
of Denmark Proper would be quite another affair ;
and within the last few years a far greater Power
than Prussia has paused in a career of victory rather
than accept an extension of the conflict. Many roe
cent predictions have not been verified, but it remains
true that the first cannon-shot fired in the Baltic
will proclaim war on the Rhine and in the Adria-
tic. If there ever was a question that exacted
moderation it is that which is the subject of discus'
sion in the Vienna Conference. According to 511
law and all reason the liberated Duchies should pal
the cost of their liberation. There is no measure of
extortion which, in so far as Europe is concerned,
Count Bismarck may not practise upon the people
he has emancipated. It is right that they should
be made to feel practically the worth of their de'
liverance. But to pretend that in parting with
Denmark violently they are entitled to make any
claim for compensation, either as regards the Sound
Dues or the Danish fleet, and, above all, that Prue"
sin is entitled to prefer and support such a claims
is only not absurd because it has been seriously
mooted. Prussia is mistaking both her own pose'
tion and the position of Denmark. The Danish
monarchy, it should be observed, is intact. Den'
mark has lost nearly half a kingdom, but what
remains to her is her own past all quibble. There
are German Powers that hold provinces which are
not nearly so securely guaranteed to them as the
little land he reigns over is to King Christian.
They cannot, as he does, rely on the royalty of
their subjects, and they have forfeited, as he has
not, the confidence of foreign Powers. Prudence--•
for it is, we fear, useless to think of moderation-
should therefore advise Prussia to hold her hand.
She has already done more than enough to exaspe`
rate Europe, and the indignation of powerful na-
tions has not been restrained without difficulty.
In this country we have every reason to desire that
the Prussian throne should be sustained and
strengthened; but we cannot help seeing that A
policy which is tyrannical to the weak will prove
weak in itself when opposed with its own argil'
manta ; and that those who attempt to crush tlhe
vanquished will, when their turn comes, invoke is
vain the aid of the justice they denied, and the
mercy they refused to consider.