The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-05 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, JUNE 1.

The ministerial Norddentsche Allgemeine Zeitung
of to-day publishes an article advocating the ex-
pediency of Prussia strengthening her position as a
Great Power by acquiring colonial possessions.
The following is a summary :
" Statesmen, learned men, merchants, and manu-
facturers at home and abroad," says the writer,
" have long since pointed out the value and neces-
sity of transmarine colonies to Germany. Horace
Say, with sarcasm only too well founded, compares
German emigration to the annual departure of a
fully equipped army of 100,000 men, who disappear
for ever immediately they have crossed the frontier.

. . . Wilhelm Roscher, the highest authority in
colonial matters, warned us but a short time back :
—" Germany must make haste or the most fitting
localities will be snapped up before her eyes by
other more energetic nations." While this counsel
is being given, years are passing away. Millions
of Germans have bade farewell to their country
for ever without Germany deriving any benefit,
without the emigrants making their nationality re-
cognised among the nations, or without the unprac-
tical attempts at colonisation made with the help of
German Governments on the Seychelles, the Mos-
quito coast, and in Texas having led to any result.

The article dilates at length upon the causes which
have hitherto prevented the principal German Go-
vernments from acquiring colonial empire, stating
them broadly as the necessity of first strengthening
themselves thoroughly at home, and their want,
until recently, of sufficient fleets to protect their
commerce. A few minor efforts in the 17th century
are mentioned, and the articles concludes as
follows

It is certain, therefore, that the establishment of
a naval and colonial power was impossible in the
years immediately following Frederick the Great's
decease. England, who jealously watches every
movement upon the sea, who even in 1848 threatened
to treat the German national emblem as a piratical
flag, who acquired during the Napoleonic era that
naval supremacy upon which she still trades, would
least of all have suffered the establishment of a
Prussian naval force. Exhausted Prussia, indeed,
had first to recover under Frederick William 111.
from the deep wounds at home inflicted upon her by
the enemy. The construction of war-vessels and
harbours could first be undertaken under Frederick
William IV. Who does not remember the delight
of the country at the launch of the corvette Amazon,
built by the present Admiralty Councillor Elberts-
hagen, on the 24th June, 1843? All German
patriots, headed by the Austrian Franz Schuselka,
urgently implored the rulers of Prussia to carry out
the colonial traditions of the great Elector.
" Thus all the preliminary condition of colonisa-
tion have gradually come into Prussia's hand. In
1614 she obtained East Prussia, in 1648 nether.
Pomerania, in 1772 West Prussia, in 1814 New
Pomerania, in 1854 the Bay of Jande, in 1864
Schleswig-Holstein. By this means we have ac-
quired coastal provinces, firm positions in the North
Sea and Baltic, good harbours, and excellent sea-
men. To these must be added the constant increase
of the population of the mer cantile and war fleets,
of manufacturing industry, of commerce and inter-
course with all the world—items which of themselves
incite to transmarine enterprises.
" Nor is our moral right to colonisation wanting.
Independently of the blessing which every European
settlement produces when not accompanied by im-
moral tendencies, such as slavery, Germany, and
here again notably Prussia, has long since acquired
the founded claim to colonial possessions in all
quarters of the globe by her numerous, costly
scientific expeditions, and the self-sacrificing devo-
tion of valiant explorers and enthusiastic mission-
aries. Humboldt, Reichardt, Schlagintwert, Over-
weg, Vogel, Barth, Gossner, Gutzlaff, &c., are
names the greatest maritime and colonial Powers
envy us ; and we may therefore fairly call every
undertaking directed towards German colonisation
an act of piety towards our martyrs of science and
religion resting on foreign sail.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, May 30.

The debate upon the commercial treaty between
Austria and the Zollverein was continued in the
Upper House yesterday. In a speech advocating
the adoption of the treaty, Count Rechberg said :
" After the brilliant speeches made both is this