The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-05
The Proposed European Congress

From the Daily NesoS.
The idea of a Congress of the great powers of
Europe 10 decide upon the points at issue be-
tween Prussia and Italy and Austria, seems,
according to our European advices of the 23d
ult., to be taking shape and consistency. France.
England and Russia, il appears, have taken
upon themselves the office ofintermediares, and
have invited the contending powers to q love
feast at Paris, wherein, through the agency of a
Congress, the existing differences may be
pa ched up, and each party to the dispute may
gain something in the end, without the alterna-
tive OF war. The official invitations for the pro.
posed Congress we're despatched 70 Ghe Austrian,
Prussian and Italian Courts by the "Holy AL
lance" OF peacemakers on the 22d ult The
answers TO these invitations had not, of course
been received at the time of the departure of
the steamer; but 1t was confidently expected that
this new move on the diplomatic board would
meet with the approval OF the powers interested
and that a peaceful solution OF the quarrel would
result thelelrom.
The basis OF the agreement to be proposed by
the Congress seems TO take the shape Of certain
rIender of territory, and concessions of pro-
vinces TO be made by one to the other of the
three countriIs at daggers' points. A kind OF
triangular settlement of the difficulty. whereby
what one power shall lose at one end of the
triangle will be regalned to it at the other Thus.
by tins geomerical arrangement, 1t is expected
that Austria will cede Veneua 10 Italy for
pecuniary consideration, and that in exchange
Tor potion OF SlleSla she will abandon Hol-
stein TO Prussia This plan, and apparently
most excellent one on the face of It, has GER
tam little drawbacks upon 1t that will probably
| lnure against its success. Thus, Austria has
! been led into her present critical position by
refusing at the beginning TO acknowledge
that either she or Prussia has any rightful
claim to the possession or disposal OF the
Duchies, and that Schleswig and Holstein are
| but held IN trust by the two Tor their lawful
| sovereign; hence she would lind it difficult
! diplomatic feat to Jump from her former posi-
on hnT hu 10
! Congress. Then, again, the Austrian pride re-
! volts at the thought OF making case OF barter
| and sale of Venetia to Italy; and while she
would not object either to the money value
therefore, or to the gift of Sllesa If offered her.
she would scarcely accept these at the expense
OF Holsteln Tor the one, and OF her Italian pro-
vince ior the other. 1t may therefore, be set
! down for certainty that, unless something
mrre practicable be proposed at the coming Con-
gress Austria Will retire from the loye.east in
anything but peaceful state of mind, and that
she and Italy will be at hard blows WITHIN a
week thereafter.
Much, undoubtedly, may be done to alter her
determination by the inteTcedng oOwers in case
she should prove refractory. Thus, If 1t should
be shown, in a delicately diplomatic way, that
the callers of the Congress are prepared to en-
force their propositions for a settlement, it is
possible that the Kaiser may be brought TO
terms. In that case, under the pressure of a
combined, or nearly combined (ior England's
ultimate position is matter OF doubt) Europe
against him, 1t would not require q very far
sighted vision on his part to discern his whole
empire topphng about his ears, exposed, as il
would be, to the ambitious and grasping GRO wneC
vultures who would be in league against him
This is the possible alternative that the Kaise
must anticipate in case OF his refusal to conside
the basis OF settlement which, as is reported will
, take the shape in the Congress that we hav
: given above.
4 While, however, Europe is enjoying breath
i ing spell over the possibilities OF peace, the wor
3 OF military Preparation goes braVely on. Pain
are taken BY the antagonistlc powers to prepar