The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-09-08

once chclted the armed interference of Austria aud
Prussia In the twelfth century the Duchy of
Schleswig was hereditary fief of the Danish
Crown; and the adjacent lands of Holstcn were
held under a similar tenure by the Counts of
Schauenburg. By subsequent intcrmarriages
between members of these two families the
Duchies of Schleswig and Holsein were brought
into close alliance, which was the more desira-
bic, because it was in consonance with the iden-
tity of the race, and with the mutual interests
of the inhabitants. The alliance possessed also
this further advantage-it enabled the people of
Schleswig and Holsein to make common cause
with each other against the encroachments
Of the Danish Sovereigns who were desir-
Gus Of bringing these fertile dependencies into
more intimate subsection to the crown. This
design was, however, successfully opposed
Denmark conceded the political independence of
the Duchy of Schleswig, and consented on the eX-
tnction of the direct liuc of succession, that the
Counts Of Holsten should take possession of the
Duchy an hereditary fief. This event took place
in 1875, and for more than half Il century
Duke Adolph VIII. maintained an independent u-
risdction over the united Duches of Schleswig and
Holstein. At his death in l454, the separation of
Denmark was again agtated: bit the people stoutly
protested against the division, and after tedious
struggle King Christian !. reluctantly recognized
their claims. About a century later the Duchies
were united in perpetuity to the Danish Crown.
shortly afterwards partition of the greater part
''of the Duchies was made by Christian HI. be-
'twecn his brothers; this gave rise to innumerable
quarrels and struggles concerning the succession,
(Which were not terminated until 1873 when the
allenated territories were recovered, and other ter
'rltorics given in exchange for them After the
death Of Frederick VI, Il contest again arose re-
speeding the succession as the law of primogeniture
different in the Duchcs from that established
in Denmark. Dsagreements also took place be
tween Denmark and Germany and the Duchies
sided with the latter. In 1916 Christian VIII de-
ermined to unite the ieudal dependencies ofSchles
wig-llosten and Luxembourg to the Danish
Crown, and in pursuance of these views he attempt
ed TO separate Schlcswig from Holstein and to re-
place the officials chosen by the former, by Danish
ministers and ftmctionaries, but Schleswig-
| IIolStein refused to receive them, and to pacify
| the Indignation he had reused he was forced
to guarantee once more the union of Schles-
wig-Hosten. His son and successor Frederick VI.
made similar declarationbut after the French
revolution of 1913, the Danish National party
made another effort to detach Schlcswig from
liolstcin. Both territories Immediately took up
arms in defence of their nationality. Germany
declared that the defence was legitimate and Prrs-
STA, in the name of the Gcrmanc confederation, es-
poused the cause of the Duchies This intervention
gave rise to the treaty oflS52, by which the Gcrmanc
Confederation consented TO withdraw their protec-
ton from the Duchies. The latter however, resolved
to continue the war alone, but were finally per-
suaded, under the pressure of Austria and Prussia,
| to lay down their arms, but not until they had
obtained Il solemn promise the part of Ger
many that the rights of the Duches should be re-
| spcccd. BY the treaty of 1852, between Denmark
and Germany, the former promised to renounce
all further attempts upon the political indepen-
dence of Schleswig, and in return for this conces-
sion, the Gcrmanic powers recognised, under GER
tain restrictions, the authority of Denmark over
her dependencies and settled the right of success
SION Under the conditions of the treaty. the new
Danish Constitution was to be framed in such
manner that neither of the four tcrritores-Den-
mark, Scheswig, Holstcin and Luxembourg
which constituted the monarchy should be
subordinated to the Others but that the rights
and privileges Of each should be respected In the
course of the next two years two Constitutions
were framed: the first met with so much oppos-
ton from the national party in Denmark which
was Jealous of the rights it conferred upon Schles
wig-llolstein, that it was withdrawn within a
year. Against the second-the Constitution of
lS55-the Duchies vehemently protested Finding
their m Cd IJ,l
bourg appealed for protection to the Germanic
Confederation, and Austria and Prussia were in
structed to reopen negotiations with Denmark
Failing to effect a satisfactory arrangement of the
quarrel, Austria and Prussia called upon the Diet
to intervene for the purpoSc of bringing Denmark
| to prompt decision. In February last. the Diet
after recognising Just the claims of the Duchies
called upon Denmark TO satisfy them with the
least possible delay. Three months passed away.
and nothing having been DONE a second note
couchcd in more energetic terms, invited the Dan
| lsh government to make known within six
weeks in what manner it intended to regulate the
affairs of the Duchies, and declared that il the
| propositions should not prove satisfactory, they
reserved to themselves the right to intervene bv
force of arms. The response by the Danish gov
eminent was cvasive, and after waiting until the
expiration Of the time which had been fixed for the
adjustment of the difficulty the Diet ordered that
measures should be Immediately taken for occupy
ing with Federal troops the Duchies of Holstein
and Luxembourg. Thus stands the quarrel at pres
ent. How it will end no one at present can tell;
but in the language of the Courier des Etqts Unjs,
''the question at the present time is an important
lone, inasmuch as it takes rank among those
grave eventualties which menace the peace of
Europe"