The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-12
Our Berlin Correspondence.

BERLIN, April 70, 1859.
Peace Di lonacy al End-7he SlUord Dra0s and Var
Inertable-Prussia ard Her Neutraliy-Mission of The
Archdlke Of Austria-AO6i,izatt0n Of the ArRy-Nd-
tiondl DefeHces Alone the Object, dc.
yGca est alta what has all along seemed i'm possible
Inevitable, has at length come to pass The puny
enerts Of diplomacy have been unable 10 avert the
threatening storm, the basiy spit, Of uespotic
monarch has broken through tie cobweb meshes with
which they endeayored TO surround him. the sword has
been thrown into the SCALE and Europe awakens from her
dream Of peace to find herself the brink Of conflict
the issue Of which foresee, but which is likely
to steep the whole continent olcod and overwhelm ts
nations with ruin and confusion
You may recolect my stating my communication
the mission of the Archd1ke Albert this Court had
been successful, nasmuch he ai ed TO persuade
Prussia to abandon her neutral attitude, and enter
positive engagement to support operate With Austria
in the Of hostes 1t s necessary for 10 recur
to this subject the partsans Of Austria have been in
dusrously spreading the report, which has found
s way the liberal English press that the Archduke had
attained his object, and that ne had concluded military
convention with the Prince Regent, by which the latter
bound himself to declare openly in favor Of Austria and
send the whole Prussan army 20 assistance in
the negotiations with France should no. lead satisfac
tory result how little foundation there was for such an
assertion evident from article that appeared in the
Prussdn Gazette Immediately after the departure Of the
Archduke prefacng the Of the steps which
hs government had thought proper TO take, and to
commend TO the other German States in view Of the pre-
sent emergency The official organ says
During the attempts at nediaon-to which Prussia was
especially called both party TO the treaties Of Vienna
and as entertaining smicahle relations with all
the Powers commemorative Kings government has notfor
moment neglected the consideration Of her duties as
member Of the German Confederacy Well aware OF the
delay to which the organization OF the Confederacy sub
jects the collection Of its military Prussia has
only 4 That
but actively co operated in the partial preparations
already undertaken, The state OF affairs having
meanwhile assumed the most serious aspect the Kings
government, after mature ds5eraton, have thought it
time TO propose to the ConedeTacy collective ia
the interest its security and preceded this suggestion
by placing three army corps IN readiness for war. 10
issuing this ORDER hs Roy hghness the Prince Regent
was guided by the desire Of maintaining the honor and
dignity OF the Coniederacy IN the midst Of the extensive
ornaments il the neghborng States and Of enabling
act with energy in defence of s safety ii endangered by
the course OF The readiness for war (KreFs-
beretscha of the corps dGTmee forming the contingent
Of Prussia to the forces of the German Confederacy and
the proposal made by the Prassan Ambassador a. the
Diet for similar steps to be taken by the Other members
Of that body, entirely in harmony with the defensive
character Of the Confaderacy AMI completely Invested Of
every Offensive tendencyPrussa, still adhering her
position msoiatory Power, and continuing her exer.
tons to bring about solution of the present European
difficulty, in accordance with her interests and
Of her German allies.
The military preparations which Prussia 80 long hes.
tated TO make and had reserved for the last extremity
were undoubtedly accelerated by the communications this
government received from the Archtuke Albert. and
which showed the firm determination Of his imperial
cousin to put end to state Of suspense ntoerabe both
to his fiery temper and TO the exhausted finances of hs
empire, by striking decisive blow. The Prince Regent
and his Ministers demonstrated strongly with the Arch
duke pointing out TO him that by such course Austria
would forfeit the sympathies she enjoyed Power
tackled unjusy, or at least without sufficient
would incur the responsibility OF disturbing the tranquil
lily Of Europe by offensive movement, undertaken in
the mi list of pacific negotiations, at moment when Eng
landwho could certainly not be accused Of intentions
hostile the Austrian monarchy-had come for ward with
project the terms Of which appeared satisfactory 10
all parties. The proud and heads!rong character OF
Francis Joseph s 30 well known however, that such
considerations could not be expected TO have much nu
ence on him. and the commencement Of hostites being
therefore imminent, Prussia obliged willingly TO
prepare herself for contingency which she had vainy
hoped TO avoid. This sudden and disastrous turn OF
affairs entirely owiDg 70 coup de tie the part OF the
Austrian Emperor who has long been chatting under the
nsults offered him by State Ike Piedmont whose re.
gous hereses he a8hors, whose liberal system of gov
eminent he breads, and whose military power he des-
pses Count Buol is said - have done everything he
possibly could TO prevent his from giving way TO
tne Impulse Of passion but all his eudeavors fruit
less and he had alternative left but 70 cohe the ut
matum addressed TO Count Cavour Ia forms as polite as 40
peremptory message allowed Of There IS still chance
tnat the united circumstances of England Russia and
Prussia may have soe effect upon the young Kaiser and
induce him 10 in his headlong career but be mas
now gone so far that ne without greater
oss OF nonor and prestige than he would suf.
fer from half dozen defeats in the Geld OF
battle; and, besides, Il must break ont sooner
initiative and fall upon hs enemies before they have
completed their ornaments. Today the term Of three
days granted TO Sardinia expires and IL is no. unkev
that norrows telegraph Will inform Of the Ausraus
having passed the 1cino.
You will have observed in the document quoted above
how careful the Prussian government make Il IN.
dersood that the military preparations they have 10 re.
undertaken solely for defensive purposes and
without the slightest aggressive intention Thesc protes
sons corroboraed by their proposing that the forces
OF the German Confederacy merely to be placed IN
kTteglretchGU (read1tss for war; and not actually
hafpn hat in In
only The reserves called out, and not the
hndwehr, the troops remaining In their preglous
Quarters, though in constant readiness ID take the
leid me army Of the German Confederacy con-
slsB o. zen corps, three Of which furnlshed
~ Agsua lhree by Prussa, the seventh by Bavaria,
epnh ~ sazopy ,ESsssu, gEse Caege zemburg md