Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-07-04

point, the menacing tone of the negotiations
between these two great Powers had warn
ed Europe that the Continent was on the
eve of war; and the rest of the States We're
not less interested in the approach of war
than Austria and Prussia themselves. There
are, IN the first place, the minor States OF
Germany, forming with Austria and Prussia
the 6ermanlc Confederation. In that Con-
federation, two struggles have long been
proceeding side by side; first, the struc gle
between Austria and Prussia for control
ling influence on the whole Confederation
second, the struggle OF the people, including
the people OF Austria and Prussia as well as
OF the minor States, toward i German ma
tlonalIty, which should embrace under one
government all German speaking popula-
tons No war could occur which should
not have an immense influence upon these
two issues Austria has succeeded in at
taching temporarily to her side majority
of the minOi States, and the Federal Diet,
representing population OF 1900, 0O0 ex-
elusive of Austria and Prussia, has declared
III favor OF the former. Neither Austria
which still obeys the deSpotic traditions OF
the House of liapsburg. nor Prussia which
Is ruled 10y Bisma k, a minister whose poll
cy is nothing by the people, has any sympa-
thy with the aspirations OF the German
Liberals. but both have conciiiated and used
the popular feeling as one instrument in
their struggle for supremacy. La point of
fact, ii Is this desire FOR leadership in Ger
many which drive Austria AMI Prussia 10
arms, and by no me ans their misunderstood.
ings about the petty State of Holstein.
All the Hol>tein difficulties could be readily
enough arranged were it not for the irre-
pressible conflict between the two great
German Powers, either to establish an as
tendency in the present councils OF the ma
ton, or to become its recognized head when
ever Its political reorganization shall take
place. The minor German States, however,
are not at this moment the most important
element in the situation.
More than any other European power, It
ally welcomes the coming war. Since the
Peace Of bIiiatra1ca, In 1859, left Nenetia
in the hands of her Austrian tyrants, Italy
has watched, and waited, and prayed for the
moment when It might be possible 10 strike
blow for the liberation Of that province
and the unity of the Kingdom As soon as
1t became probable thar The negotiations be-
tween Austria and Pru--ia must end In war,
Italy sent an envoy to Berlin to conclude an
offensive and defensive alliance with the en-
emy OF Austria. Prussia bound herself not
TO make peace Till Italy should be able to
make terms with Austria, and Italy joyful
! iy pledged herself TO stand or fail with Prus-
sla. " ar. indeed, had become necessity
to Italy. In maintaining great army for
the defense of her Venetian frontier, her
| treasury had strained its resources to the
utmost. and her most provident statesmen
agreed 1t was better to hazard everything in
war which had 4 reasonable chance of sue
cess, than to sink slowly into hopeless
| bankruptcy. The Italy which believes in
hal for inv
to redeem its pledge to its brothers in We
uetla. Victor Emanuers sympathies were
| on the side of the people, and his personal
influence had been thrown, whenever it was
| possible, IN favor of the party of war. The
| enthusiasm tor war was general, and as soon
as the probability of an alliance with Prus-
| sIa was made known, the preparations for
war proceeded so rapidly that, even if Prus-
| sIa and Austria had made peace, it would
| have been scarcely possible to restrain the
! volunteers under Garibaldi from crossing
the Venetian frontier. On her side are the
sympathies of the world America might
care little for the quarrel between Austria
and Prussia, but the emancipation OF We
Meta is to Us the most interesting question
OF European politics, and whoever fights on
! the side OF Italy we welcome as an ally of
| Liberty.
| Behind Italy stands France Napoleon
may or may not mean to put his sword liz
| the scale at the first outbreak of war, but
he Is, in some contingencies. the inevitable
antagonist of Austria IF the war went
hard with Italy, the author of the Peace of
Nillafranca could not look on while the Aus
trian eagle again few over Milan. His CO.
! operation amounts TO virtual security that
Italy cannot come out OF the contest any
worse than she goes in. He will choose his
! tr-r- ! L H. I
nounce his terms. but from the moment the
! first shot is fired on the Silesan border. the
Emperor of the French is the arbiter of
the situation. Austria may conduct CON
/ test against Prussia and Italy with some
hope Of success. Let France Join tho al
lance, and there is no future for the Haps-
| burgs