New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-28
THE EUROPEAN WAR.

TIE EUROPEAN WAR.
No single cause can be assigned FOR the war winch
Ia, just burst upon Europe but the pretcxt upon
which Prussia and Austria fight is a very simple
matter. By the defeat of Denmark, whom England
encouraged to 20 to war and then deserted, the
two great German Powers became in I-6l joint
posscsors Of the Duchcs Of Schcswig IIolstein and
Laueuburg Less than year alterwarl, Austria sold
her rights in Lauenburg for 25OO,OoO thaer, and BY
the Convention of Gastcn it was agreed that
the joint occupation should terminate, that
Austria should tax, possession of Hols,e.n and
Prussia Of schleswg. 1hi, was one step in the
negotiation by which Prussia expected ultimately to
become master Of both the Ducl.es, but beyond this
point Austria refused 20 20, and rejected every propo
,iton for the final cc,sion OF her right; 20 Hol'e.n
province OF little value to Austria, but Of great
value to Prussia account Of is nearne,s to her
frontiers, and Of lbs seaport kiol. As the diplomacy
Of Prussia grew more and more urgent, Austria. on
the frst Of June last. handed over the question
20 TIE Federal Diet OF Germany. This step
Pru. ia instantly denounced violation Of the Con-
yentiOn of Ga,tc.n since by that Convention it had
been agreed that all matters relating TO the Duchies
should be settled between Austria and Prussia inde-
pendcntly of the Considerations Prussia. therefore,
declared that Convention at an end, and insisted
that as consequence her right to the joint occupa-
ton of Hoi,tein was revived She prepared, there
fore. to march troops into that Duehy
Long before the dispute had reached this point the
menacng tone of the negotiations between these two
great Powers lad warned Europe that the Continent
va, on The eve Of ware aud the rest Of the States
not less interested in the approach of war than Austria
aud Prussia themselves. There are. in the first place
the minor States Of Germany forming with Austria
and Prussia the Germanc Confederation. In that Con-
federation two struggles have long been proceeding
side by side; Grs the struggle between Austria and
Prussia for u controlling influence on the whole Con-
federation second the struggle ofthe people incud
ing the people of Austria and Prussia wei Ofthe
miuor states toward a German nationality, whicho
should embrace under one government all German
speakine populations. No war could occur which
should not have an immense influence upon these two
issues Austria has succeeded in attaching temporary
" to her side majority Of the minor States and the
Federal Diet, representing population Of
l90OO,OO0 exclusive Of Austria and Prussia, has
declared in favor Of the former Neither Austria
which still oheys the despotic traditions Of the House
Of Iapsburg nor Prussia which is ruled by BISmark
4 minister whose policy is nothing By the people, has
any sympathy with the aspirations of the German
Liberals, but both have conciliated and used the
popular feeling rs one instrument in their struggle for
supremacy In point of fact is this desire for leader
ship in Germany which drive Austria aud Prussia to
arms and By no means their misunderstanding
about the petty State Of H0lsein. All the
osten difficulties could be readily enough arranged
we're il not for the irrepre,siblc conflict between
the two great German Powers. eitherto establish an
ascendency in the present councils Of the nation or
to become its recognized head whenever ii, political
reorganization shall take place. The minor German
States, however are not at this moment the most
important element in the situation.
More THAI any other European Power. Italy
welcome the coming war Since the Peace Of
Vahuuca I'm 1859, left Neneta in the hands of her
Austrian trraut' Italy has watched and waited and
prayed for the moment when it might be possible to
strike blow fox the liberation of that province and
the unity Of the Kingdom. As soon as it became
probable that the negotiations between Austria and
Prussia must end in war, Italy sent an envoy to
Berlin to conclude an offensive aud defensive ALI
ance with the enemy OF Austria. Prussia
bound herself not to make peace till Italy should be
able to make terms with Austria, and Italy joyfuy
pledged herself to stand or fall with Prussia. War,
indeed, had become necessity to Italy In main
tanning great army for the defense Of her Venetian
frontier her treasury had strained lis to the
utmost and her most proyident statesmen agreed it
was better to hazard everything in war which had
reasonable chance of success, than TO sink slowly
into a hopeless bankruptcy. The Italy which be-
leyes in Garibaldi inpatient for opportunity
to redeem It's pledge to its brothers in Veneta. Vic
tor Emanuel's gmpathes were ON the side of the
people, and his personal influence had been thrown,
whenever il was possible in favor of the party Of
war. The enthusiasm for war was general, and as
soon as the probability Of an alliance with Prussia
was made known the preparations 70, war proceeded
so rapidly that even Prussia aud Austria had made
peace, it would have been scarcely possible TO
restrain the volunteer, under Garbald from crossing
the Venetian frontier. ON hor side axe ihe ympa.hea
nf th. world America might care Il lic Or tue quar-