New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-16
THE EONDCN CONFERENCES OF
rAlf.

ISDI.
The European Conference which is 20 attempt
a peaceablo solution of the German-Danish con-
Aict respecting the possession of Schleswig-
Iolstein is probably now in session in London,
as, according to our last European adviocs, it
was to meet in that city on the I2th of April.
All the Great Powers and Denmark are repre-
sented; the Federal Diet of Germany was
invited, but il was not decided when the Asia
left whether that body would send u representa-
tive or not.
Americans, who have an unshaken faith in the
fundamental principles of democracy, cannot be
Indifferent spectators to these intricate European
complications. The nations of Europe, with
remarkable unanimity, protest against the from
tiers which the arbitrary stipulations of the
Treaty Of Vienna in 1915 assigned 10 them
They maintain that il was crime against the
inalienable rights Of the people, TO dispose Of
nations ss of piece Of furniture-to dismember
them at will and distribute the fragments among
"a few crowned heads. What becomes Of De-
mocracy as a principle, if these arrangements are
recognized as the ultimate, inyiGlable law OF
nations and if reyots OF the people against
them are stigmatzed as unjustified rebelhons
TO establish such principle would condemn all
the Liberal movements in Europe since i-i5, no
less than the American War for Independence,
for both proceeded from the principle that there
is n higher law than the will of princes.
The efforts of the European Soyereigns 20
save the work of 1915 against the upheaying Of
indignant nations, have been miserable failure.
The independence Of Greece and Belgium, and
the unity Of Italy, are among the most memo
rabIe concessions which the national spirit has
wrnng from crowned heads. These struggle, Of
course, with all their might against making
any further concessions to the spirit of the age.
They attempt compromises, which last lew
years, only to prove again how unavailable
compromises must always bc for permanent
settlement OF dscordant national claims.
From what we know of the dispositions Of
the Powers which take part in the London
Conference, II is certain that most of them are
desrous to establish q new compromise without
consulting 40 all the people whose destiny Is
to be disposed Of. Austria, Prussia England and
Russia, have all declared in some way or other
against the incorporation Of Schlcswig with
Denmark-but, on the other hand, for preserv-
ing the integrity Of the Danish monarchy, not
because either this incorporation or the integrity
of the monarchy is contrary to the wishes OF
the people OF the duchy, but only because 1t
seems TO them to be contrary to the treaty BY
which they, in 1852, assumed TO settle the Ger
man-Danish conflict. 1t seems, therefore, prob
able that they will leave Schleswig in possession
Of the Danes, but demand from Denmark now
guarantees respecting the administrative inde-
pendence of the duchy.
Most of The minor States Of Germany desire
the recognition of the Prince Of Augustenburg,
not because he is the choice Of the people, but
because he appears to them to be the legitimate
some treaties about 400 years old. A consid-
cradle lportion Of the German press, even Of
the democratic sort, indors this demand with
out making it at all contingent upon the choice
Of the people.
Louis Napoleon has been very reserved in the
expression of his views but there seems now TO
be no longer room to doubt that he proposes TO
take the vote Of the people on the succession
question as the basis for permanent solution.
The semi-offcial papers Of France persist in at
tributing to him this determination, and the OFF,
cial organ Of the Duke of Coburg states that the
Duke, during his late visit at Paris, heard the
expression of these sentiments from the En-
peror's own lips. Some believe that Prussia
will be glad to embrace the view of the En-
peror, which, it is thought, would be also
adopted by the minor German Powers-not be-
cause they approve the principle, but because in
this case they expect that its application would
lead to the annexation Of Schleswig to Ger
many. Even Sweaen is suspected Of being not
altogether adverse TO this scheme, as in TIN case
of dissolution Of the Danish MONARCHY, the
Scandinavian portion of it would more than
ever before gravtate toward a permanent union
with Sweden.
II will not be easy TO harmonic the dbcord-
ant views of the European poweIs oR ths CON-