The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-21 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAI, DEC, 21, 186 G.

We learn from Berlin that the Chamber of Depu-
ties adopted the bill for the incorporation of Schles-
wig-Holstein on the 19th. Before this took place,
however, Count BISMARCK made a speech, in which
he entered at some length into the various circum-
stances of the case ; he alluded to the failure of the
negotiations with the Prince of AUGUSTENBURG, and
he declared him to be an enemy of Prussia. Really
it seems as if the Prussian Government cared Very
little for their friendly relations with this coun-
try, or, perhaps, it is that they have been
spoiled by the false kindness we have showed
them. At any rate, we think that the Prus-
sian Minister might have abstained from his
insulting comments on one whom the Berlin Go-
vernment delighted to honour. If anything could
render the observation referred to more inconsis-
tent in its character and unbecoming in its style,
it would be the fact that the war was originally
undertaken to favour the claims of the Prince of
AUGUSTENBURG. It is true that the Crown lawyers
afterwards decided that these Duchies belonged to
the King of DENMARK, that he had ceded them
to the Sovereigns of AUSTRIA and PRUSSIA,
but at the outset we all heard of nothing but the
supreme rights of this Prince, and he went with the
allied armies of Germany to prefer his claims at the
point of the sword. Now all is changed, and he is
converted into the enemy of Prussia. Some might
presume to say that Prussia was his enemy, but then
the opinions of the majority of the sensible and
straightforward went for nothing in the judgment
of the magnates of Berlin.
Count BISMARCK laid great stress upon
the right of conquest as concerning Prus-
sia's authority in these places, and as
for the proposed vote in North Schleswig
he made some rather extraordinary statements. He
said that, after " mature consideration," the Prus-
sian Government had agreed to the proposal made
on that subject by France, in order "not to disturb
diplomatic relations, and to avoid placing in jeopardy
the advantages which have been obtained." Several
suggestions present themselves to notice respecting
this assertion. In. the first place, why has France
had occasion to interfere in the matter? and how
is it that it required such " mature" considera-
tion to enable the Prussian Government to do
that which they were bound to do by
the terms of the late treaty? Honour -and honesty
generally influence civilised States to keep faith in
the fulfilment of their engagements; but,
as we all
along suspected, it was not intended by the Prlis_
sian Government to let the North SehleSwigers have
the advantage of the proposed scheme. This was
pretty plainly shown when Count BISMARCK refused
to let the deputation on the subject be presented to
him, and when he vaguely intimated that the
matter must be let alone for a time. It ap•
pears now, however, that a change has come over
the spirit of his dream, and that he has had
to reconsider his position. It seems very significant
that the Prussian Prime Minister should make tbii
same declaration in so public a manner about the
necessity of conforming to the wishes of France.
It is the more striking, because, ever since the suc-