The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-10
EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
BERLIN, December /, lsl9.
& ERMAN POLITICS,

iOhhhlN, DtCfHtV'i = lOt'
GERMAN POLITICS
Austria and Prussia agreed September 3Oth.
to establish central commission of four members,
to conduct the affairs of United Germany until
the first of next May. The subsequent two
months have been spent in gaining the adhesion
OF the other German States to this agreement
The adhesiOns have been given, but under condi
lions, of which the most important is, that each
State is to be free to withdraw on the LIST of NAV.
provided all shall have not then agreed on a Con-
stitution for Germany. If the hterm commits
sion should enter on its functions, the country
would be no farther advanced in May than at
present, for the formation of Constitution prior
to that time is impossible. Several years must be
spent in negotiations between the thirty eight
different Governments, none of which wish to
make single concession.
II is evident from this statement that the Lte-
rim commission would be worth nothing if it en-
tered on its functions. But it probably will not
enter on them, two serious difficulties having
arisen.
Both are raised by Austria She claims in the
first place that the whole Danish question shall be
transferred by Prussia to the Eteyim Her official
reason for this is, that the question was originally
a German one, and ought to be settled by power
representing Germany Ter private reasons may
be- that she will thus have the opportunity of ex-
tending her power to the north of preventing the
conclusion by Prussia Of treaty favorable to
Druc bv kooy = bo
OPEN Of harassng Prussia, whose frontiers and
trade are more exposed in Danish war than
those of any other German State.
Prussia objects, and urges that she fought all
the battles for Schleswig-I lolstein against the
Danes, that her interests are at stake. and that
the peace negotiations are already in state Of
forwardncss.
The second claim made by Austria is, that the
MTim commission must be regarded as represent.
ing the old confederation guaranteed by the treat
of 1919 She maintains that, legally the cesson
by the Federal Diet of all its powers to the Arch
Duke John made him the representative of the
Confederation of 1919 and that now the cession
of them by the ArchDuke TO the Interim will
make this last also its representative.
Austria sticks stoutly to this claim, because its
admission will give her as she thinks, the right to
interfere in the affairs Of Northern Germany. to
protest against the formation of n Northern Fed
eral State by Prussia, and not only to intervene
by force Of arms, but to call for the intervention
Of Russia and the other Powers which guaranteed
the treaties of 1913.
Prussia will not admit it, because she wishes to
leave no pretext to Austria TO oppose her aggran-
dizement in the north. She has refused to recog-
Mise the Arch Duke John as the posscssor of any
legal power whatever, has treated him as rcvo-
lutionary usurper, and refused to send Min
lister to him. or receive an official note from him.
In this state Of things the Arch.Duk contin-
ues at Frankfort, offering, not to 90 off quietly
rs Prussia desires but TO make formal cesson
of the powers which he says he received from the
old Federal Diet. This cession Prussia refuses
to accept
Possibly these difficulties may be avoided by
some cunning diplomatic fiction or by mutual
concessions but the probability of the commits
sion's entering into power is not great
PRUss,AN POLITICS
The Government Of Prussia continues to pros
ecute its Pre- ect of IA Federal State in North Ger
many, spite of the protest Of Austria, and the
hreats Of Saxony, Hanover, and Bavaria, to call
or the Intervention of Russia. Twenty -four diff
'ercnt States have finally given in their adhesons
o the Federal State These are l. Prussia
;, Baden 3, Grand Ducby of IIesse 1 Elccto-
ate Of IIesse s. S lxc-W eimar 6, Mecklenburg
7, Mechlenburg- Strelz; S, Nassau
! Brunswick 10, Saxe-Coburg Gotba Sake
Nciningeni -, Saxe-Altenberg; -, Anhalt
)essan and Anhnlt-Coethen II, Auhalt- Bern
'erg; IS, Schwartzburg Rudolstadt; 6, Schwartz
'urg Sondershausen ~ Schaumburg. 3 |
-ippe- Demold; 10, Wadeck; 20, Reuse fold
ranch J u, Reuse, younger branch %, La.
eek ~, Bremen -, Hamburg.
These States united would make a respectable
FEDERAL State of about twenty-oDe millions pop
lation There is no doubt but that. if once form
8, it viii absorb IN progress Of lime MI iis mem
err .prS Srrome Only aIesgrySpynss;s :, Tor u IL
eason, the King perseveres
A late order Of the General Council of the
yenty -four States fixes the elections to the Low
r House Of the Diet on the 3Oth Of January. The
PIPER House Is TO he elected by the Governments
al legislative Chambers Of the different States.
The position Of the political parties in relation
this project Of Federal State il worthy Of no.
ce. The Ultra-CoDscryatives are opposed 10 il.
cause IL is to be Constitutional State and not
, Absolute Monarchy, but they will take part
the elections The Centre party fnvors It on
&c ground Of the aqgrandizement Of Prussia Of =
e progress thus made toward the only unity AT
esent possible, and Of the liberties secured un
II the new order Of things. The Democrats
pose it, or rather are entirely indiieren. to IL.
cause they dis'rust the sincerity Of the King,
ID do not believe that he will observe any Con- ,
tuition longer thnn it may suit his purposes TO :
dos because union Of part only OF Germany :
w would only hinder the union ofthe whole Mt ..
g next Revolution, and would be powerful en-
ne in the hands Of the King Of Prussia to pre- I
mt the Revolution itself; and because the el,o.
raj law is discriminating one, giving political .
wer In proportion to property It is not the =
v promised by the King, who Instead Of bread /
= given stone. The Democrats, who are much 4
IRE numerous than the other parties all together
II not take any part in the January elections. =
,ey profess TO doubt whether any such elections r
II take place. 0