Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-27

.Bsarzk Page.
Important from Germnny-A General Eu-
rOPean War Imminent.
feF The latest sdyices from Europe, received
BY Che Etna, which left Queenstown on
The 7tb inst, arriving in New York on
Sunday last, are Omiaous Of war. 1t
81 seems probable that Denmark will fight
and that all the great powers Of Europe
will be involved in q determined and san
guinsry contest.
In recent issue Of the LEADER, we gave
abriefresnas Of the causes Of the schleswig
Holstsin complication and Of the question
in issue. That question Is; Shall the
duoby Of schleswig- -HOlstein be regarded as
Danish or German province, it
acknowledge, as its Duke, Christian X
king Of Denmark, or The German Prince
Augustenbarg The population Of sehles-
wig and Holstein is nearly equally divided
between German, and Danes, and the
question IS to their rigbtful dynasty and
nationality has been for many years COM
plicsted, doubtful and disputed 1t was
settled in 1852 by the trssty between the
great powers Of Europe which created
Frederick VII, then king Of Denmark,
Duke Of schleswig and HOlstein. This de-
-eisisR, however, caused great dissatisfac
tiou among the German Inhabitants Of
these provinces, which was shared by most
ofthe smaller German States, and which, on
the succession of Christian TX to the throne
Of Denmark, broke out into open resist
suce. The people CT sohleswig HOlstein
have declared thsir choice of the Prince
Augustenberg for Duke and have appealed
to the German Diet for protection.
The state of affairs is now as follows;
The Prince Augus:enberg, at the head Of a
German army, has occupied Hols,ein, the
sOG.usrn or Tns Two provinces, and his ar
my now occupies ihs south bank Of the
river Elder, which divides Schleswig from
Holstein. To him, thstTiyer is a Rubicon,
the crossing of which viii plunge Europe
into war. For the polioy of Denmark,
as indicated in the recent royal proclama-
nation, IS vigorous and warliko. "0ur
motto" it declares, sis the honor Of our
country. It shall be upheld by pescesble
msasures if possible, if necessary, by force
Of arms" To give effect to this declara-
tion, the Danish reserves, to the number
ofl4,G00, have been called out, and troops
have been sent to the Homework with or
ders to blow up the bridge next the sluice
Immediately on the outbreak Of hostili-
ties.
But the attitude Of the immediate bel
lieerents dwindles into insignifcance in
comparison with the position taken by the
great European powers, on whose action
the question Of war or peace mainly de-
pends. The course Of Austria and Prus-
sia, thus far has been hesitant and tenn
psrizing. The best key to the policy Of
Austria may be found in the publication,
by the official journal of Vienns, oIan ar
tiefe W1l .A-7 40 minor German States
against taking any part IN lIsv 4-.y-.-,ant
against Denmark. This caution will have
no effect, for the question has already be-
come one Of national feeling with the Ger
men people-as well in America ss in Eu-
rope-and the smaller states will inevita-
bly, be swept into the movement. The
liberal party in Prussia are also bringing
most powerful influences to bear upon
Frederick William to induce him to reru-
diate the treaty Of 1852 and side with the
Gsrman provinces. His nature aDd sym
pathies, however, render it very doubtful
whether he will pursue this line of con-
duct. Such is The posture Of the German
States.
There csu be 10 room for doubt as to the
party which the French Emperor will
espouse in this contest Ties Of blood
unite him with the Prince Augustenberg,
and though in his recent letter 10 that !
General he expressed Ostensible regret at |
the hssty course Of the Diet in toking hos
tile steps agsinst Denmark, he is evidently |
pleased at heart with their action, which |
gives him splendid opportunity of carry |
ing out the traditional policy of France in
regard 70 the Rhine. II is undoubtedly in |
anticipation of European war that he has
contrived that the French Legislature
should call upon him to withdraw his
troops from Mexico; and it rs scarcely
necessary to say that this step viii prObe-
bly, be taken af once.
Il may be regarded as equally sure that
In the event Of open hOstililies England
will come 10 the support of Denmark.
The London Times, under date Of January
9Th, has column leader on this question,
commencing thus :-' Al the present time
the Ducby Of HOlstein may be considered
TO have passed entirely out Of the hands
of the Danes" and concluding with hope
thIt Prussia will not be conteat to trouble
the water that the French ruler may fish,
and adds that when it is proved that the
advance Of German aggression will reslly
lead to s war on the Schleswig frontier,
the western powers will be found united to
prevent such q calamity. This significant
admission by the great indicator of the
way the wind is to blow, is almost decisive
that general war in Europe cannot we'll
be STAYED off BY diplomatic fnesse, and that
when it becomes essential to DeHmark's
safety, England will send fleets with land
forces for her preservation.
Al the sane time England is Iaborinp 70