The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-04 00:00:00

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

The following is the complete text of the decla-
ration read by M. von Bismark, the Prussian Pre-
mier, in the Chamber of Representatives at Berlin
on Tuesday last, a summary of which has already
been received by telegraph :
" Our position in the Danish question is fixed by
a past, and from this position we cannot arbitrarily
release ourselves, while duty towards the Duchies,
towards Germany, and towards the European
Powers imposes it on us. The problem of our policy
will be so to act towards these obligations as our
chief political duty, the care for the honour and
security of our own country, commands.
" For Prussia's position in the question is in the
first place defined by the Treaty of London of 1852.
The signing of this may be regretted, but it is ac-
complished, and it is a duty imposed on us by hon-
our and prudence to allow no doubt to exist as to
our faithfulness to treaties.

"Whilst, however, we recognise this duty for
ourselves, we expect that Denmark will also act up
to its obligations. The Treaty of London forms the
couplement to a series of negotiations which were
carried on between Germany and Denmark during
1851 and 1852. The promises o► Denmark resulting

from these negotiations, and the treaty which
Prussia and Austria completed at London on their
bases, are so mutually related that they stand or

'all with each other.

"The maintenance intact of those stipulations is
meanwhile of great importance, particularly for
Schleswig. They give us the right in Schleswig
to demand the fulfilment of treaty obligations en-
tered into by Denmark towards this Duchy. Should
the agreements of 1851 and 1852 fall with the
London treaty, we should require, in regard to
Schleswig, such treaty rights which the recognition
of the European Great Powers would support. The
renunciation of the Treaties of 1852 would there-

fore withdraw from the position of Schles-
wig, and from the German demands in re-
spect to them, the bases created by treaty
in 1852, and the general recognition of re-
newed negotiations, or of the issue of a European
war, would be dependent on it. In order, there-
fore, that the treaties should retain this value and

their validity, it is necessary that they should be
conscientiously fulfilled on the part of Denmark.
I may say that no doubt is generally entertained

that this has not been done hitherto, and I con-
sider that the recapitulation of details is not
necessary.

" The decision on the question if and when we
are in the position, by the non-fulfilment of the
Danish obligation, to set ourselves free from the
London Treaty, must be considered by the Govern-
ment. It can neither refer it to the German Fede-
ration nor make it a subject of explanations here.
We have entered into negotiations with the Austrian
Government, which will, in the meantime, ensure a
consonant position of both Powers in respect of the
London Treaty and its consequences. These nego-
tiations proceed upon the basis that King Christian
would he entitled to succeed in Lauenburg even if
the Treaty of London did not exist, as the next
heir, Prince Frederic of Hesse, has renounced in
his favour. In the case of Holstein, on the contrary,
the title of succession depends on the Treaty of
London, and its realisation depends on the fulfil-
ment of the treaties which are inseparably con-
nected with the Treaty of London. That this is
the case is ♦ouchea for by the most competent of
all witnesses, M. Bluhme, who was Danish Minister
for Foreign Affairs in 1851 and 1852, and it was
confirmed in the Danish Council of State.

" Our vote, already made known by the journals
in the report of the sitting of the Federal Diet
on the 28th ult., rests upon this view of the
question.

" So long as we do not consider the Treaty of
London invalid, we regard in King Christian the
successor to the rights and the wrongs of his pre-
decessors, and, as a consequence, the motive which
called forth the decree of execution of Ist October
last, remain in full force, while circumstances
appear to demand that the execution of this de-
cree should be hastened. With this view,
in common with Austria, we have the necessary
proposals for immediate execution. Whatever de-
cision hereupon may be nome to in Frankfort,
Prussia, under all circumstances, according to her
position as a European Power and a member of the
Federation, will firmly maintain in the councils of
the Great Powers the right of Germany in the
Duchies and her own views. The Government re-
lies upon the willing support of the country and of
its representation in the execution of this resolve.
you will lay a resolution
111 regard to our co-operation in the execution, as
required by Federal treaty, you will have to take
the necessary military measures, and in regard to
the necessary
expenses
the Diet, in order that a constitutional de-
cision may be come
The annexed statistics
before
to."
of Denmark and the
Denmark proper consists of
duchies Eire taken from the returns of 1860:
"The kingdom of
t ire Greenland, 946 square mites, and contains 1,600,551 inhabit-
ants. the F ,roe Islands, and
the
colonieslceland, contain
Gann 123,219nd inhabitant
the Duchy
of Schleswig consists of 162 square miles, with
o