The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-25

Fridays prices. Groceries we're quiet. Cotton IN.
changed. Petroleum dull lower and nominal Freights
quiet
Important from Germany-Prespect OF .
General Eur0pesn War.
The news from Germany, received by the
Etna, is Of very important end significant
character. The complications arising out Of
the Schleswig- Holstein difficulty are daily as.
Stunning character so grave that it would seem
as if nothing can now prevent general war or
revolutionary movement on vast scale. A
recent proclamation Of the King of Denmark
breathes the firmest determination to maintain
his rights. sour motto, he says. is "the honor OF
our country. II shall be upheld by peaceable
measures if possible; if necessary by force Of
arms To give effect to this declaration the
Danish reserves to the number of Ia 900 have
been called out, and troops have been sent to
the Homework with orders to blow up the
bridge next the suice Immediately on the out
break OF hostilties.
In the meanwhile the attitude Of the Aus
tran and Prussian governments is Of SO tenn
PORTING character that it only serves TO in
tensify the excitement which prevails through
out Germany One of the semioficia journals
Of Vienna publishes an article cautioning the
minor German States against taking any part
in the movement against Denmark. This warn
ing will have no effect for the question
has become one Of national feeling with
the German people. and the smaller
States. whatever may be the apprehensions Of
their governments, will be swept into the move
ment Prussia, which, with Austria. was q party
to the Convention Of 1852, is being profoundly
agitated by these influences, and the liberal
party there are straining every effort to induce
the King to withdraw from the treaty. on the
ground that Denmark has violated her engage
ments with Schleswig Holstein. In the news
just received it is stated that the Vienna Cabi-
that it would not take any action in the Schles
wig question II Prussia would withdraw from
the London protocol. It is probable that FIRE.
derrick William, with his characteristic obsti-
macy, will resist all these influences. and will
endeavor to stem the tide Of popular feeling.
He will be the more disposed to do this from
the fact that England has ranged herself on the
side OF Denmark. Should he persevere, how
ever, IN this course, it will cost him his throne
and set the revolutionary ball in motion.
Herein lies the great danger Of the compli-
cation.
There can be no doubt as to the part which
France will play in the struggle. 1t is
true that in his recent letter to the
Duke of Augustenburg Louis Napoleon
expresses his opinion that the General
Diet should have debated this question more
fully before taking hostile steps against Den
mark; but there is no doubt that at heart be
is well pleased with what they have done.
The dangerous aspect which the question is
assuming, complicated as it will still further
be by the doggedness Of the King Of
Prussia, opens up to him the fairest chance
that will ever present itself Of his real
izing the traditional policy of France in
regard to the Rhine. 1t is this prospect which
has, no doubt induced him to contrive that
committee of the French Legislature should
call upon him to renounce his designs on Next
co. and withdraw all the French troops that
are at present there.
From this brief resume OF the situation it can
no longer be doubted that matters have reach
ed crisis in Europe which renders long and
sangunary struggle inevitable. 1t will afford
us some consolation and compensation per-
haps for the trials to which we have been sub
jected by foreign countanance and aid that we
shall have ended the war here just as the
European governments are entering upon theirs.
MORE INTERESTING CoRREspoNDENcE-A PLoT
AMONG GOVERNMENT OfrlcIALs.-The most ro-
mantle portion Of the history Of this war will
certainly be found in the private correspond
ence which has been brought to light by the
arrests of deiaulting or conspiring govern
ment officials and the capture of block
ade runners. The delightful little batch Of
letters which we published the other day, in
which the Lamars and Trowbridges fourisbed
80 conspicuously, revealed not only important
State secrets, but some of Q more delicate, II
not more refined, character Another bundle
| OF correspondence has just been found among
the papers OF Mr.. Stuart Gwynn, recently in.
volved in some complications about the Trea.
sury Department showing neat little plot to
make something comfortable out of the Navy
Department in the way Of gunboat contracts
"Union armor," and so forth. Indeed the par
| ties concerned did not seem very particular
as to which of Uncle Sans bureaus they
got their fingers into; for the Treasury, q,
we'll as the Navy Department seemed to
be the special object Of their attention