The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-13
Our Berlin Correspondence.

BERLIN, March q, 1850.
Prussia yet Undecided on the Savoy AnneSaion-K 7Aouoe-
nels Note Justfyng the Annezation Unaasocrsd-What
Objections Hau European Po0ers to the A~nerationp-
The Reasons for the Reorganization of the Prssssian Ar
my-Popular Voice Against the Novcment-1he Prince
Regent the AStor Of the Measure Prussia and the Ger.
man Standardization Of England to Prussia, Russia
and Austria to Congress to Deliberate on the Savoy
and Nice Anneration, de-, &c.
Notwithstanding all reports to the contrary the Prus-
sian government have not yet made up their mind on
the great question OF the day-he annexation OF Savoy
and the circular Of NJ rhougene justying this step on
the part Of the French Emperor still remains unan.
swered II the other great Powers were at all likely TO
join In protest. Prussia paid be disiuclned to as
sume the invitation but Russia lays back Austria seems
either to enjoy the perplexiy evidently felt by her RI
val and the British Cabinet closely contested with
Louis Napoleon for dependence to be placed upon it,
active operation In fact. it by no means clear up.
what grounds protest against the annexation could
really be founded, unless it determined 10 back Il
by the ultima ratio, which is the only efficient argument
in such cases.
The King of Sardinia an independent sovereign, and
he chooses to cede part Of his dominons TO France
what business has Prussia inerfere9 She has herself
made similar acquisitions in Germany. few years ago
the princes Of Hohenzoern gave up the whole Of their
little territory to her. and since then che has purchased
"trip OF land the German Ocean from the Duke OF
Odenburgb, on which she u now erecting o naval ar
senal without asking or receiving the consent Of any
other Power She might object and Justly object to the
inhabitants OF Savoy and Nice being handed over 10
new MASTER in spite OF their notorious aversion to such
transfer but this would be acknowledging the principle
Of popular soveregnyhe right Of the people 10 choose
their ruers-a principle which Prussia declines 10
recognise IN the case of Tuscany and the Romagna s
true, the neutrality Of the districts contiguous to
Switzerland is guaranteed by the treaties Of 1915;
but these came treaties pronounced the exclusion
OF the Bonapare dynasty from the throne Of France pro-
vded for the union Of Belgium with Holland established
an independent republic Of Cracow, and bestowed Lom
hardy upon the Emperor Of Austria II they have been
dsregarded in all these instances why should they BIO
held more sacred in others Besides the convention be-
tween SARDINIA and France contains clause BY which
The latter engages to respect the international stpulatoos
securing the neutrality Of the said DISTRICTS and although
every is aware that such promise is nero form
which, in the event of hostiiies will never prevent
France from making that any other part OF SAVOY the
basis Of her military operations may be used with con-
siderable effect to meet objections founded or
the treaties o. 1875 We nnd accordingly that
even the Swiss, who on this occasion have
shown more pluck than any of the great Powers Law
much less stress the abstract sancty OF treaties than
on the practical dangers and inoonveniences that will
arise to the from the arrangements contemplated by
their neighbos and that If the districts OF Chsbiais and
Faucieny, which are so important to them in strats-
gica point of view are INCORPORATED with the Heiyetic
Confederation instead OF with France they care very lit
lie what Is done with the rest of Savoy The prnseisn
Cabinet therefore, hardly to be blamed for hesatne
to back the Swiss in their protest. il urged 10 do nv
part Of the liberal press since it would always be in the
power Of the French Emperor to pacy the sturdy noun
taneers by making over to them the disputed districts
then to turn round and ask Prussia what she meant
by ntermedding in affair which the parties 10 ereeted
were quite petent 10 settle without nteryenten
The characteristic insulation Of Prussan policy IL en-
HANGED by the peculiar circumstances In which the coup
try placed at the present moment Her entire political
is derived from the opinion formerly enter
tanned OF her military strength OF the perfection OF her
military system, and this system suddenly breaks
down after being tried not in actual warfare but merely
In the prepaYa atoms for war complete reorgs
of the army acknowledged TO be Indispensable every
body admits that "somehing must be doaen but OF the
various schemes proposed NOT one appears 10 meet tho