The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-09
NEW YORK HERALD SUNDAY JANUARY 8, 1889

ueCiarauOn Puolsneu IN last saturdays M0nlteur,
il is patent to the world that France and Austria are
on the very brink Of rupture Their quarrel may
be patched up for a time, but sooner or later the
flames Of discord must burst out again; and il will
require but breath from the lips of that dark and
inscrutable man who for the last ten years has
afflicted Europe, to kiHdle them into conAagra-
ton. Italy wants but his signal to rise upon her
oppressors; the other provinces of the Austrian
Empire-Hungary in partcular-wOud not be slow
in following the example; and the assistance of
Russia could not be depended upon now, as in ls49
a very few weeks would probably see the rule Of
Francis Joseph reduced to the walls of Vienna
To be sure the official organs OF Austria talk very
big about her fine armies and skilful commanders
who would be able to hold their own against all
creation;" but her diplomatsts are far from indug
ing in such Illusions and the best proof OF this is
afforded by the desperate eXerti0ns they making
to secure the friendship and cooperation of Prussia
This is no easy task, considering the manner In
which they have behaved towards this country, and
the antagonism that has always existed between the
two nations. The maxim of Austrian statesmen, as
regards Prussia, is, in the words of Prince
Schwartzenberg, "First to humliate and then to
destroy her." The former part of this sentence
was carried out with great effect at Oumtz, but in
the latter the astute court of Vienna has not been
quite successful and having been unable to ruin its
adversary, it is now trying to make tool Of him.
From what have heard, the Prince Of Prussia has
no objection in the world to be on the most amcabe
terms with Austria; but he will think twice before he
enters into regular treaty Of alliance with her
even though it be defensive one-that is to say,
guarantee Of the integrity of her possession, which
il the great object the Austrians are endeavorng to
attain. Such treaty would be reciprocity all on
one side.' Prussia would have nothing to gain
and everything TO lose by it, nay, in case of hosti
lties actually breaking out between France aud
Austria, she might stand chance of being placed
IN a still more awkward fix than her ally. From an
auxiliary she would speedily be converted into
principal and be forced bear the whole brun fthe
war, as the Austrans would be too much occupied
at home, keeping down their own subjects to be able
to detach single soldier to her assistance. 1t is
the obvious policy of Prussia to avoid such entan-
clements, and the proposals of Count Buo will
therefore meet with polite refusal AT the same
time, however, the total extinction of the Austrian
empire would form too serious an inrOad on the
status quo of Europe, and raise the power of the
French auiocrat to too eXorbitant height, for the
government Of this country to regard it with tran
quillity, and measures will accordingly be taken to
give weight TO the pacific counsels that Prussia
may be called upon to nterpose in such an event.
The Prince Regent is not possessed of the strate-
gica genius of his great ancestor He may not be
able to command an army, but he piques himself
upon his knowledge Of all the minutie of soldier
ship: and lie has made it his especial care to place
the army upon a more efficient footing. | have
taken occasion to mention before now that the mill
tary establishment OF Prussia is not what ii is
"cracked mp to be. The landwehr system, though
it may answer on an emergency, is totally made
quate to the requirements of modern warfare, sup
plying, as it does nothing but raw recruits in lieu
OF veteran soldiers. The mobilization of 1850 first
the Prince himself to its defects, and the convic
ton has gradually dawned upon them that com
pcte reorganization of the system is imperativey
necessary. As yet, believe the exact nature Of
these reforms has not been definitely agreed upon
but it is to he presumed that they will consist in
a fusion Of the landwehr with the regular troops
and prolongati0n of the term of military service,
connected, perhaps, with the exemption of certain
classes of citizens and the option of furnishing
remplacdns on the French plan. Next session,
however application will be made to the Chambers
to grant the required for these alterations the
particulars Of which will then be communicated to
the public.
A few of the most conspicuous among the satel-
lites of the late ministry have been displaced but
the majority of them still remain in Office, even
such as have distinguished themselves by their adj
tons. During the eight years of NJ. West
phalia's administration the Prussian bureaucracy
has been recruited exclusively from the ranks Of
his adherents, and an extensive publication must
be resorted to if il is to he weeded of these obnoX
ious elements; but il is idle to expect this as long
as NJ. Flottwe continues at the head of the Minis
try of the Interior. Considering how many indi-
vduals of really liberal principles and popular ante
Cedents are in the Cabinet, or among its support
ers it is singnlarly unfortunate that so important
branch Of the government should have fallen into
such hands.
1t is settled that Count Schwerin, one of the
chiefs of the constitutional party, will be chosen
President or Speaker of the Lower House, a post
which he occupied from 1850 to 1855, when he was
Gutenberg The latter has not succeeded in OBJ
tanning seat in the present Legislature and even
i he had the party he belongs to has been so
sadly curailed Of its fair proportions that his re-
suming the chair would be entirely out of the ques-
lion