New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-17
CONCLUSION OF PEACE IN EUROPE

The report which was received few days ago
| by the Persia, that peace had been concluded
between Denmark and the two great German
Powers is fully confirmed by the later European
advices which reached US yesterday. On the LIST
of August preliminary treaty Of peace was
signed by the plenipotentiarics Of the three
powers, in accordance with which the King of
Denmark cedes all his rights to the Duchies of
Schleswig, Holstein and Lavenburg, and to the
Islands pertaining to them. AS some districts
in the Islands of Romeo, Syltoe and Fohr Tin the
North Sea, opposite the northwestern coast OF
Schlcswig) belong to the Danish province OF
Jutand the allies, as an equivalent for those
districts will agree to modification of the
southern frontier of Jutland.
Only few weeks ago the King of Denmark
had it in his power to obtain peace on much
more favorable terms. At the London Confer
ence all the powers represented had at last
agreed that Holsten and Southern Schleswig
should be relinquished by Denmark, but that the
northern districts of Schlcswig should be detach-
ed from this duchy and incorporated with Den
mark proper. Denmark rejected the frontier
line proposed by the Allied Powers, because she
thought-in common with large portion of the
English people-that in case Of the failure ofthe
London Conference the English Government
was in honor bound by IFS repeated promises to
Hy to the aid of Denmark. The Danes should
have better known the duplcity and dishonesty
Of European diplomacy. which has never yet
considered itself bound by promises, treaties, or
any other thing regarded in private life as oblig-
atory. The blunder--as political plumbers usu.
ally do-has cost them dearly.
When the Danes, after the failure of the
London Conference, recommended the war, 1t
was the common expectation, that in case Of
their defeat the victors' would insist on the
REIMBURSEMENT by the Danes of all the territory
which they have now coded. The terms OF
peace have, therefore, produced no surprise,
although they will be very offensive to the Gov
crnments Of both England and France. The
latter power protests against /! in the name OF
the principle of nationality, maintaining that II
solemn entreaties like that Of London are set
aside, it should only DO to fall back upon a
natural principle like that Of nationality.
As the negotiations for peace have only been
conducted between Denmark on the ono hand,
and Prussia and Austria on the other the
Duches, which have been coded by Denmark,
have, of course, been ccded to Austria and
Prussia. The German papers contaia as yet no
official announcement OF the intentions of the
Allied Powers respecting the future destines of
the Duchies. Bismark, undoubtedly. is even
now DESTROYS to annex them to Prussia, aud it
seems that of late he has found an ally for his
scheme among portion Of the high aristocracy
fAustria. But the Austrian Governments too
much afraid Of the dangerous combinations
which the execution Of such a scheme would
call forth to be misled by Bismark. 1t can
hardly be doubted thatthc minor German States
aided by the Liberal party at least Of Prussia,
would attempt to resist territorial agerandiye-
ment Of Prussia by force Of arms, and that
France and even England Gas in this case no
danger would be incurrcd) would be eager to
aid them. We do not believe that M. Bismark
will find his royal master and the Emperor of
Austria willing to brave such o combination.
and we therefore expect that they will finally
consent TO hand over the Duchies to the Prince
of Augustcnburg, who has long since been
recognized by the people Of the Ducbies, BY the
majority Of the German Federal Diet, and a
majority of the German people.