The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-30 00:00:00

Deno-Gorman war has been to • this extent peculiar
that, whii,st the Germans posse ;sod an overwhelm'
ing preponeleranee in respect to land forces, the
Danes had an almost exclusivi I command of the
sea. The only use, however, t o which Denmark
has been enablezi ,to turn her naval superiority has
been to blockade the German ports, a measure
which, however iuju.-ions to an enemy's commeros,
is rather of a negative than a positive character,
Powerless at sea, the
German Powers are said to
have made it a neeess
s' ihs'
and their OVA. condition of the suspen-
sion of hostilities t the blockade should be
raises and relieved from the
'sent imposed upon it.
serious rss:,rictions at 7Pa.
Under ordinary circum:ite'it..2es such a condition
might seem reaeenable, but tin the present in-
stance it is not so must appear era,a little reflection.
on th
The German Powers has'c second sossess
reedi of
upon, ace ,
Duchies, and if an armistice were ea
companied by a suspension of theaxisa, motiveablockafoer
'nce
the aggressive Powers would have no to s
bringing the proceedings of the Cossfezah
eas
speedy close. They could lose nothing, ,(3r on
they might gain mrch by delay. An armiall. "her
the basis of the military uti poasidelis would all, .3
them every facility for revolutionising the D0e13,16
and effecting such changes as would render it nu-
possible for the signitaries of the Treaty of Loudorl
to require that they should subsequently be restored
to Denmark. Against such a coetingency the
Danish Government are bound to provide, and, in.
desiring to reserve the maintenance of the rights of
blockade, they simply wish not so mach to retain
the means of injuring Germany, as to furnisis en 10:
ducement to the German Powers to bring ncusitten:
to a speedy conclusion. Germany has throughout
,
assumed so high a tone that we are not surprised b"
the disdainful manner in which the official journals
in Vienna and Berlin have treated a suggestion•
which at the Conference received the support of the
neutral Powers. But, after all, an armistice in sane
shape or other is only a matter of time ; and, held'
ever desirous the Germans might be of prosecuting
hostilities, their possible sphere is so extremely re-
stricted that it would soon become physically tr(l-
- for them to find fresh territory to invade.
Jutland is almost entirely defenceless, and might be
occupied in the course of a few days. One of the
latest telegrams informs us that the General ia
command of the Danish forces in that province has
retreated without accepting battle; nor is this
considering the relative proportions,
of the German and Danish armies. If the war con-
tinued, Fredericia would undoubtedly share the
fate of Duppel, and Funen, together with Alsen,
would pass into German hands. It is therefore
impossible, however the question is regarded, that
the Dano-German war can be of long continuance;
and, such being the case, there is the greater pro-
bability that the preliminary difficulties raised et
the Conference will be speedily cleared away.
suspension of hostilities will, however, be only pre-
fatory to the discharge of the proper functions of
the Conference. 'Metiers have unfortunately now ar-
rived at that pass that Denmark is powerless to
give effect to any dissent to which she might thin."-
it consistent with her dignity to give expression-
Her fate depends er.clusively upon the neutral
Powers, and on them she will be compelled to rely
If they should assent to a proposal for her disinte-
gration, nought would remain for her but to sub-
init. She might retire from the Conference, but.
the withdrawal of her plenipotentiaries would net
avert her destiny. It may be, however, that her
very helplessness will be to her a source of strength'
The representatives of the Western Powers are well
aware that there is something more at stake than
the form of administration thenceforth to be esta-
blished in two obscure Duchies in Northern Europe"
The true nature of the issue was candidly avowed
by the Prussian Prime Minister in December last,
in a conversation with Lord Wodehonse. It is a
contest between despotic and liberal institutions,
between constitutional government and that species
of rule to which enlightened Austria and Prussia
are willing to submit. " Peace," said Count Bie;
mark, " will never subsist between Germany and
Denmark so long as the latter encourages dernocra"
tic institutions." It will certainly be establishing
a strange precedent if the Western Powers should,
by endorsing the demands of the German States,
countenance aggression based upon such a justifi-
cation. We now dismiss from consideration the,
claims which Denmark has to the protection 01
France and England, and throw out of account the
serious disturbance to the balance of power in
Europe which would be effected by the trossmuta-
tion of Germany into a naval Power. IV ben, ho"
ever, these considerations are also borne in mind,
it is impossible to avoid feeling that however
great may be the straits to which Denmark is
driven, her interests will be carefully protected
at a Conference to which the representatives of
France and Great Britain have admission. Self"
interest furnishes the strongest of all motives to
human action, and it may be a source of satisfaction
to Denmark to know that, feeble though she is, the
force of circumstances has made her cause equally
that of the two most powerful maritime Powers is
the world.