The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-07-19
The European, yvar---EGs Causes

- 9
The Duchy Of Schleswig and the Duchy
of Holstein, though governed for many
years prior to 1868 by the reigning King of
Denmark, were never integral parts Of that
Kingdom, but independent Duchies whose
dukes have been also the kings of Den
mark. King Christian VIII of Denmark,
foresceing the extinction Of his own line,
proclaimed the unity of the Danish
Kingdom, inclusive Of the two Duchies
BY law of the Duchias, females were
excluded from the royal succession, but
by the manifesto of the King of Denmark,
the Duchies, in violation of their own law,
were liable 10 be governed by the sovereign
Of Denmark, whether King or Queen
Upon the death of Christian VIII in
1913, Frederick VII ascended the throne,
whom the people of the Duchies refused
to recognize as their rightful ruler. In
support of their claims, the Duchies
resorted 10 arms under the lead of the
Duke Of Augustenberg, whom they claim
ed as their Ii9htful sovereign. Their
struggle, though heroic, was not success
ful. In 1852, the principal powers of
Europe assembled in conference and
assumed to change the law Of succession
in both Denmark and the Duchies, and
designated Prince Christian, father Of the
Princess os Wales, az the rightful success
sor in Denmark proper and in the two
Duclies The death of Frederick VII,
late in 1868 again opened the whole
question. The Duke Of Augustenberg
re-asserted his claim, supported by most
Cf the German soyeTeigns. War ensued,
Of which the result was that Austria and
Prussia became joint possossors not only
OF Holstein and Schies9ig, but also of
Lauerburg. In 1865, Austria ceded to
Prussia all her rights III Laucnburg in
consideration of 100000 thalers. In
the same year, by convention called the
convention of Gastein, Austria took solo
possession of Holstein, and Prussia Of
Schleswig, Prussia expressing her strong
desire to obtain TIE possession of the
other Duchy because of its bordering upon
the Baltic sea, and of its fine seaport,
hiel, valuable to Prussia, bus of little
:n6meut to Austria, being far removed
from her borders. 1t was agreed between
Austria and Prussia that their dispute
should be settled between themselves, but
on the first Of June last the former power
placed the whole matter in the hands of
tie Diet or Congress Of the German Con-
federation, This act Prussia denounced
as violation Of the convention of Gastein,
and that by it the convention was virtually
dissolved She in consequence im,nedi-
ateiy moved her troops into Holsteiu-
Austria then proposed in the German
Federal Diet the consolidation of the
armies Of the various German States -
Prussia gave notice that she would con-
slider this an actual declaration Of war
Austria's proposition was carried on the
l4th ult., and on the 18th Prussia had
advanced her troops into Hanover and
Saxony.
Underlying the dispute about the Ouch
les, and Of more real importance than II, is
The desire Of Austria aud Prussia each to
gain ascenGancy over the other and over
all the minor German States. Prussia
desires the possession of the two Duchies,
because her dominion would thereby be
extended to the North Sea, and she would
be possessed Of fine seaport upon the
Baltic Austria, on the other hand, de-
sires to retain Holstein, not because it is
Of value to her, but in order that it may
not fall into the hands Of her rival, Prus-
sia. The annexation TO Prussia Of the
two Duchias would give an additional
million to her population, make her the
Eosscssor of a fine seaport, and increase
coqsidcrably her chances Of dominating
throughout Germany.
The alliance between Prussia and Italy
is not caused by mutual desire to secure
a common end, but simply from the fact
that each needs the others aid for the