The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-09
Enrnnaan AHairs.

Most of the telegraph dispatches in relation to the
impending war the continent of Europe are unlh-
tegible to the generality of readers, from the fact
that they have but little knowledge of the present
state of affairs in Europe. thorough perusal OF the
following article from the Cleveland (Ohio) Herald will
give the reader some idea Of what is going on over
there and the different causes of the present unhappy
state of affairs
1.-THE difficulty between Austria and Prussia is daily
becoming more complicated and the general situation
more unsatisfactory. If the German powers come to
blows as now appears improbable there is scarce
" possibility Of avoiding general European war
which will give map makers work in changing bounda
ries once more.
1.-THE quarrel between Austria and Prussia is an old
one, and, although sometimes concealed by mask OF
friendship the dislike and disrust have never abated
When not engaged in conflict the field they are
plotting against each other in council Each desires
to be the leading German power, the head of con
solidated German empire The smaller German States
know this and know also that the ascendancy of either
of the two would be the signal for the termination of
their own independence They therefore anxious
to keep them both on equality, giving them an
equal voice in the federal Diet and refusing to favor
the pretensions of either.
"The quarrel with Denmark was fomented on the
ground that the duches members Of the Ger
manic confederation and should be divorced from the
crown of Denmark. The appeal of the duchies was
made to the federal Diet but while that body was de-
iberating with true Germanic datoriousness Austria
and Prussia took the bold step of crossing the bounda
ry and making actual war; thus ignoring the authority
of the diet.
"Having secured the prize, the next step was to
decide what to do with it. That required consdera-
ton and in the mean time the duchies remained in the
Joint possession of the conquerors, Prussia holding
4 Schleswig, and Austria occupying Holstein. Now
Prussia wants both duchies, and for the purpose of
making an excuse for the seizure, troubles the pool
by declaring that the Austrian governor Of Holstein
has msgoverned and thereupon directs the Prussian
governor of Schleswig to take command Of both
duchies Austria declares that Prussia has broken
faith, and prepares to fight, which was just what
Prussia wanted.
eff France and England should keep out Of the
ring there would seem to be but outcome of the
quarrel Whilst Prussia has less than half the extent
of population of Austria it has the advantage of
unity Of race and purpose in its people that is wanting
in Austria OF the IS 0OOO 600 forming the population
of Prussia, 100000 are Germans, having the
same manners habits and traditions. The remainder
are chiefly the Slavic race, inhabtng southern Prus
sia but even these have become thoroughly natu-
raised that they could be depended on with as much
security as those of the true German stock The peo-
pie are all trained arms perfect in discipline, and
filed with martial traditions. The and equip
ments are always of the most effective kind Above
- and Tho
credit Of the country good.
E" On the other hand, the size of Austria is but an
element of weakness, its population heterogeneous
mass Of incongruous elements. Of its 100000
population not more than three-ffths German, and
even these are not all to be relied One-ffth oil
the remainder are Slavic, and the other fifth Italians
Magyars and other races of different languages and
traditions The utmost efforts of the central govern
ment have failed to fuse these various elements into
one nationality. Hungary, with more than one-fourth
of the population is the ireland of AUSTRIA always
restless, discontented and ripe for outbreak war
with Prussia could scarcely fail to be followed by
risngs in Hungary.
Bohemia with 100000 population, is also 8
perpetual difficulty to the Austrian crown. Although
its nationality has been destroyed and the existence
|
prosecutions of past ages the love Of civil and re
gious liberty that the of their attempted
determination, still exists and the glorious literary
religious and military history of Bohemia of the pas
forms source of continual disquet to the foreign
race who now hold it in subsection. GalIcia contain
ing portion of the ancient kingdom of Poland witt
population of 100000 is not without occasiona
mutterings of discomfort, whilst Yenetia, and it
., 500 900 Italians, waiting the moment to breal
their yoke.
"With population made up of such ihcongru
GUS elements Austria has the additional disadvantag
of bankrupt treasury and total want of credit. War
to her. means ruinous expense without the means tc
meet it, dsaecton on the northern frontier nsurrec
ton in Hungary, the revolt of Venea, probable on
with Italy and every chance of loss without any posi-
BE hope Of gain.
"Whilst Austria and Prussia are measuring thei
strength previous to a conflict Russia is preparing
reassert its old claims to the Danubian princpates
having fair excuse in the present unsettled conditio
of affairs there and thus giving Austria dangerou
enemy on the east. Italy, it is said, is in conferenc
with Prussia with view to the liberation of Venetia
and the exled patriots Of Hungary eagerly watch
ing the course of events for the favorable moment tt
. again raise the national standard
The other Germanc States have not as yet pre-
nounced on either side the appeal of Prussia for al
being met with reference to the article of confeder'
ton that makes that State the offender which strike
Il the first blow. This response will probably max
: Prussia hesitate while, in the hope that Austria wi
;, commit the overt act which for the reasons give
above, it will probably be not eager to do"
4 GENERAL CANDY BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CoUR
h. The New Orleans Crescent, Of the 2Sh has the te
t; lowing:
as In a suit pending before the United States dstri
court involving question as to the ownership of 81
10 bales of cotton, which has been held by Mr. B.
il Flanders cotton agent Of tie treasury department,
IN property of the United States writ of sequestatc
). was sued out by Mr.. John P Tweed as private clair
ant of the cotton; but on the marshal proceeding
execute the writ, the property was found to be
charge of guard Of federal troops, detailed, it
alleged, under instructions from general Candy, al
ty they would not permit the marshal to enforce Z
lg mandate of the court. Upon the marshal making