The New York herald., 1864-02-20
\ European War-C0m mae nee ment ol
Huseilitles.

European War-COm me N &c ment OF
Hoseilitlcs.
The news from Schleswig brought by the
City Of Manchester is Of highly important
character The conflict, the prospect Of which
has so dsquietcd the public mind in Europe,
has commenced. The first blood has been
drawn, aud momentous events are likely to
follow. Although fresh efforts in favor Of
peace are talked Of, we do not see how mat
tcrs can be restored to the footing which would
render such q solution easy Of accomplishment.
Our previous accounts left the Danish Cabi-
net in possession Of the ultimatum Of the
two leading German Powers. 1t was re-
jected, as we anticipated, and thereupon the
Austro-P Prissian force received orders to ad-
vance into SchIeswig. On the lst the Prussans
crossed the Elder and proceeded in the drec-
ton of Gotthorp and Eckernford, whilst the
Austrian contingent entered the Kronenwerk
at Rendsburg. This movement compelled the
Danish troops to fall back to the Schley (the
creek on which the town OF Schleswig is
situated), and to defend the works at Mis-
sunde. which is just inside the entrance Of the
inlet. The plan of the invading force was, it
appears, for the Prussian army to force pas
sage at this latter point, whilst the Austrians
were to make an attack upon the central part
Of the fortified lines.
In order that our readers may clearly under
stand these movements, We give elsewhere a
description Of the Dannewerh-the great
Danish bulwark of the Duchy of Schleswig.
1t consists OF three enormous earthworks,
stretching across the entire peninsula. They
are in immediate connection with the river
Schley on the eastern side, and with the river
Treene on the other; so that it is in the power
of the Danish forces at any time to food some
sixty-four square miles OF land in front Of their
works, thus rendering them almost inpregna-
BILE.
On the I'd the Prussans attacked the Danes
near Missunde, on the Schley, and after six
hours hard fighting were repulscd, with loss
Of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred
men, the Danes losing from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred. On the Sd the Austrians
assaulted Bistore, mile south of Schleswig,
but made no impression. The amount OF loss
| is not stated. A general attack on the Danish
line, from Missunde to Agel, was to take place
| on the following day. Thus matters stood at
the last accounts.
1t remains to be seen what part England and
France will take now that hostilities have
fairly commenced. From the indications
thus far we incline TO the opinion that the
former will back out OF her engagements and
leave Denmark TO her fate. 1t is significant
that although the Queens speech to Parlia-
ment was delivered after the news Of the fight
ing bad reached London, no alluslon was made
to II in that document. As regards the French
Emperor, If we are to credit the Paris cor.
reepondenco of the London Times, he is re-
solved to remain quiet spectator of the con-
test, leaving to England call the difficulty and
all the glory of intervention He has no,
abandoned the hope Of the question being still
referred TO congress; but be NAV be disap-
pointed Once blood has been shed. Il is diff.
cult to arrest the course OF events.
II would be just rctribution IL. now that
we have nearly finished the work Of crushing
the rebellion, Great Britain and France. which
have given II so much moral and material aid
we're to be dragged into the vortex OF a Euro
pean convulson. The time is probably close
at hand when we shall be in a condition to
turn against the commerce Of those countries
the new tangled doctrines Of International law
which have been incorporated into tho code
for the purpose Of annihilating our own.
/ ------