The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-08

tions between Austrsa and Prussia hass
been for several months Of q very criti-
cal character. The Duchies of Schles-
wig and Holstein are the occasion
rather than the caase of this new COM
plication. Prussia, it seems, has for
some time brought the greatest posi-
bic pressure to bear upon Austria, IN
order to prevail upoa her great rival
to assent to the annexation of the two
Duchies to Prussia. So pressing and
demonstrative has this pressure OF late
become that the Austrian Government
| has assembled Council of War, and
has addressed notes on the one hand
to the great Europezn Powers, in order
to throw all respons bility for an armed
conflict upon Prussia, and on the other
hand to the minor German States, in
order to secure, if possible, their support
in case of war.
The telegraphic dispatches about the
progress of the diFi0matic conflict are,
as is usual in such cases, highly contra
dictory. On one dsy telegram states
that armies are being concentrated,
councils OF war held generals appointed,
and everything ns<ze ready for an. in
mediate clash of arms on tho next, We
are informed that declarations of re-
assuring character have been received,
and that the apprehensions of war
have been removed. 1t is highly pro-
| bable that few more weeks win shed
light on this uncertainty; for they will
establish either the success or the de-
feat of Count Won Bsmarks policy.
1t is certain beyond doubt that the
Prime Minister of Prussia has had the
intention to make bold strike for the
immediate annexation of the Duchies,
and that he has urged upon his King
the necessity of not shrinking from
the use of force for attaining that OBJ
jech If he is to succeed in intimidat-
| ing Austria into submission-no mat
ter whether the surrender shall be i'm
mediate or prospective-it must soon
become apparent The direct reverse,
which would be recognition Of the
Duke of Augustenburg, we regard as
out of the question; but any other ex-
pedient, as the transfer of the settle
ment of the question TO the authority
of the Federal Diet, or to arbitration,
would equally t3ean defeat of the
Prussian policy for the present.
But, in Whatever manner the present
complications may be removed, the |
conflict betweep Prussia and Austria |
will go on; nor will it be long be-
fore another aud more serious cri- |
sis will make its appearance. The real |
conflict of the two powers is for the |
leadership of the German nation. The
present confederscy is with rapid |
strides approaching its dissolution.
| How the reunion OF the now dismem-
bered portions of the country may be |
effected, it is difficult and perhaps i'm
possible to foretell; bat that they will
be united, the Austrian and Prussian |
statesmen no more doubt than the |
leaders of the Republican party. Prus-
sia. it is generally believed, has made |
To Austria the formal offer of dividing |
the minor States between themselves, |
and of thus ests blishing, for the pres
ent, two German Empires, 10 be united |
by a common dit and other bonds of |
union. But the acceptance Of this pro- |
position, as Austria well sees, would |
make Prussia strong and leave Austria |
weak. If Prussia absorbs little States |
like Lauenburg, Schleswig and Holstein
few years will probably suffice to &C
eomplish the most thorough amalgams
ton. Inc snnexsd people would for
get the mode OF annexation in view Of
the undoubted material advantages
which they would derive from an in
corporation with Prussia; and, at the |
rs,'sf T',ref ',Dnsi maj SVe new asgraudizemsnt
counts more than 100000 inhabitants |
appear in the eyes of the Germans as
the only country which can effect and |
defend the national unity.
Austria, on the other hand, cannot |
possibly expect an equal increase of |
power from an annexation of minor |
German States. At present, the Ger
mans OF her Empire number not more |
than 7 $50 600 in total population of
35000,000 and of this small minority |
fully 500, 900 are living in countries
(Hungary, TrnnsylVania, &c. } where,
in case of q conflict between the seve-
raj nationalities, they are unable to
add any strength TO the German ele-
ment while more than two other mill
ions, though not geographically cut off
from the main trunk OF the nation, are
at least living in Provinces predomi-
nantly Sclavic Bohemia and Morayia)
No additions that Austria can possibly
obtain by an annexation of minor Ger
man States can possibly secure to the
German race a numerical majority in
her total population. No one, more
over, expects that the non German ma
tionalities will abandon their national
aspirations on the contrary, their ass
pirstions are gaining strength every
year, and make the ultimate dissolution
of the Empire from year to year more
certain.
The weakness of Austria is becoming | J
more and more apparent; and Prussia,
therefore, can afford to treat her with
an almost unparalleled insolence and
to make her drink the cup of humilia-
ton to the dregs Nor would the
Prussian Government be likely to hesi-
tate to annex the Duchies of Schleswig
and Holstein, at the risk of war with
Austria and the Federal Diet combin-
ed. The only consideration which does
delay decisive action on her part ID the
fear Of an interference by other Great ]
Powers.
~ ObAdlu LLtlA VII bN NhN Z
great object of the Prussian policy
during the coming year. If only this
point can be secured, the annexation
of the minor States to Prussia will prob ,
ably proceed with great rapidity. The
"Crown Jurists" have of late shown
such docility as to the wishes Of the
Crown that, if commanded, they would
demonstrate Prussian claim to every
country of EuTupe. We see it stated
in German papers that not only Bruins
wick but also Hesse-Cassel will be
claimed at the death of the present ru-
lers, and that the annexation Of Schles
wig and Holstein may soon be followed
by claim to Hamburg and Lubbock, as
former dependencies Of Holstein.
Whether these reports are correct
or not the future fate of central Eu-
rope will depend on the issue of the
conflict between Prussia, Austria, the
other German States and the German
people. Viewed in this light the devel-
opment of the German question is well
worthy of close attention.-Nsl0 York
Tribune.
CHRoMC FAUIT- FNREG-When, some ]
months ago, our white soldiers were