The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-30
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
FRAsKroRr MAN, Sept. s, ls
Especial Correspondence Of the Union.l

Tomorrow we expect the answer from tho Dan
ish government to the Germanic Confederation in
regard TO the Duches OF Slesyigh Holsten Lauen
burg. The general belief is that it will be pacific
and that Denmark will not resist the confederation
any longer but yield every point as far il con-
Germs the casus taderis. This decision of Denmark
was taken after she had been assured by France and
England that these powers would not interfere, and
after Austria and Prussia, through their ministers
at Copenhagen, used their influence European not
GERMANY powers to induce Denmark to yield the
point Whether the answer of the King OF Dem
mark to the categorical questions put to him by the
Germanic Confederation will be satisfactory to the
Germans in general, and be approved by public
opinion, do not venture to assert Certain 1t is
that the people and the governments of Germany
are ashamed at the successful resistance which the
little power ofDenmark (Which if the German Duchies
were separated from her, would sink TO q state OF
the third rank) has thus far been able to make to
confederation numbering fifty millions of peo-
ple Austria, whose policy is to constantly strength
en- herself in Germany has in this in many other
respects, become the principal agitator and cham
pion of German rights and il is certain that if
Denmark refuses to satisfy the Diet federal troops
will enter Hostein and occupy the principalities till
the King of Denmark shall have done his duty
German Prince and member OF the Gernanic Con-
federation. Not to be led into error by these re-
marks, it is necessary state that these proceed
ings are not against the King of Denmark as the
sovereign of Denmark, but against the King of Dem
mark as Duke OF Hosteln Lauenburg. With Dem
mark proper the Germanc Confederation has no more
to do than with the King of Naples; but the Duke
of Holsein is the member of the confederation, and
must obey the laws eaanating from the Diet for the
government of federal cases. This question has
reached point from which neither the Diet, nor
Prussia, nor Austria, as members OF it, can recede
without covering themselves with obloquy. The
Frankfort Diet has already suffered sufficiently in
public consideration throughout Europe-and espe-
caliy in Germanyo be able to bear this additional
disgrace, and we may expect therefore that the Hol
stein question, like the Swiss question about the
canton of Neufchatel will bo settled without an APP
peal to arIns--provided the King of Denmark is as
well advised was the King OF Prussia about the
time of the settlement of the Swiss question. re-
cent change in the King of Denmark's minister's ex-
cluding who has been known as the soul of the
amagamation between Denmark and the German
Duchies, points directly to such peaceable solu-
ton Of all pending difficulties ...,.a.
1t is certain that for this year at least Austria
will not join the German Zoli-verein but it is equally
certain that that event must take place in very
short time. The opposition to that measure by Prus-
STA is not one based ON commercial reasons and the
polty OF the present statesmen of Prussia will not
continue for many months. The Prince of Prussia
will not continue the government in its present form
longer than the twenty third of October next after
which time he claims the power, as we'll as the re-
sponsibiiy before the people and the world to gov
ern Prussla i'll his own sense Whether the present
King abdicates, whether regency be established
or whatever other form may be adopted to save APP
III,
the stern necessity exists of investing the Prince of
Prussia with regal power, and he will no doubt ex-
ercse 1T with the full consent and appreciation of the
nation. Thus far the Prince, with modesty and
delcacy OF sentiment which do him great credit has
carefully abstained from making any alteration either
in the internal or external relation of the govern
ment, nor has he made any change either in the min
listers OF the crown in the diplomatic represent
atives OF Prussia at foreign courts. Those who are
best informed, however, have no hesitation to pre-
IIrta mel hrha
in the government and different attitude in regard
to foreign powers. Thus, to give but one instance
the in which the late elections were carried
in Prussia in favor of the present ministry by new
division OF the different electoral circles, does not
meet the appreciation of his royal Hghness the
Prince OF Prussi-, and different division will be
made after he shall accede to the power to which he
is entitled by the law of the land. That change in
the elections would also carry with it change of
ministers is apparent. But it is not 40 much the
domestic as the foreign policy of Prussia which is
MATER OF speculation in diplomatic circles. Hopes
are entertained in Vienna and Frankfort that
the almost hostile attitude which Prussia has main.
tained tow~rd Austria for tho last three or four
years, Will considerably relax, and give way to a
more natural policy, in which the present duasm
OF Germany, which condemns seventy millions of
people to political inactivity, will be essentially mod
flied without sacrifice of any of the material interests
OF either power On the part of Austria the strong
est desire exists to shake Prussia cordially by the
greatest powers of the confederation would be hail
ed throughout Germany with universal acclaim.
Austria feels the more disposed to come to friendly
understanding with Prussia, as steps have been ta-
ken by the cabinet of Vienna to prepare even rec
onciation with Russia, by yielding certain points at
Constantinople which were supposed to be the main
obstacles to more friendly understanding with the
great northern power. ! believe | have alluded to
these facts, which eight ten days ago were only
circulated as rnmors, in one of my previous letters,
and mention them now again to show how very
wide from the mark are the specuations Of the Lon
don Times and other English presses, when they in
Prince Frederic William with the eldest daughter
of the Queen of England will change Prussia par er-
eeilenee into British ally to the exclusion of all other
interests 1t would, doubtless be convenient
thing for the English press and for English states
men to coquette alternately with Germany and
France but these flirtations have been very cooy
received by German statesmen and by diplomatic
pens in the leading German journals. 1t is in fact
The very coquetry of England which has thrown
damper the Austrian-English alliance. Austria
feels that she has been deserted at least neglect
ed, by England in the lato Paris conferences, and
that for the want of efficient support nothing has
been settled at those conferences in regard to Tur
key, the Danubian prncipaties, the navigation of
England let her statesmen disguise it they ploase
acted under the influence of the Notifications Of Cher
bourg; and as Prussia also voted against Austria for
the union Of the Moldavia and Waacha, Austria has
to the conclusion that it is moro profitable for
her to make peace with her neighbors than to de-
pend on the assistance of a power which has over
and over declared, through her statesmen and by
every Of her public acts that she is only guided
by proper consideration of her own interests. The