The New York herald., 1866-05-18

the other side of the ocean.
The German War Question.
The European news received by the Java is
of more pacific character. In the first place
we have it announced by M. Rouher, in the
French Legislature. that he had received an
official declaration from Italy in which she en-
cages not to attack Austria. Then there is
statement, emanating, however, from no official
source, that France, England and Austria are
busily engaged in negotiations for congress
for the settlement of this and other European
questions. But for the equivocal position which
the Emperor Napoleon has occupied from the
commencement In this affair of the Duchies, we
would be inclined to regard it as now divested
of its most dangerous features. Inasmuch as
treaty exists by which France guarantees Italy
against an attack by Austria, and Italy formally
declares that she will not commence any attack
against Austria, there would appear to be no
cause for apprehension that the initiation of
war will be assumed by either Of these govern
ments But have we the same assurance in re-
gard to Prussia? Is it at all certain that she
will be satisfied to recede from position the
risks of which she had evidently carefully cal
culated? Again, how far are we justified IN
placing reliance on the pacific and neutral
policy announced by Louis Napoleonf 1t is
coupled, be 1t remembered, with reservation
Of the right of "an entire liberty of action"
which, coming from such quarter, is always
pregnant with meaning.
Undoubtedly the most effective and rational
means of settling the question would be by
referring 1t to congress, the course we
have all along recommended. 1t would re-
open the controversy as to the justice of the
course pursued towards Denmark and would
make the other European Powers guarantors
Of any settlement that might be arrived at; an
important consideration in difficulties Of this
kind. But would Prussia agree to the propo-
sition? We doubt ii. If she is ever to attain
the objects that she has in view in Germany
now is her time for it Militarily and financially
she is at present better prepared for war than
any continental Power except France. In tax
ing the bold course she has pursued in regard
to the Duchies we must not, however, assume
that she has been influenced solely by the con-
seriousness Of this fact. No European Power
can afford to provoke war in which she has
to rely on her own resources exclusively. That
she Is acting In secret concurrence with the
French Emperor we have been satisfied from
the commencement, and we are therefore dis
posed neither to place faith In the assurance of
his intention to pursue policy of neutrality
nor in the earnestness Of his efforts to get the
difficulty settled by congress.
The caustic and eloquent speech delivered
by M. Theirs in the French Legislature will,
we think, bear us out in this view. He shows
that in the successive steps taken by the gov
ernment of Victor Emanuel TO extend his sway
over Italy, Louis Napoleon always ostensibly
blamed but carefully avoided taking any steps
to prevent them. II was so in the case OF Tus-
cany; it was so in the case Of Naples; II was SO
in the case Of Rome. Had France categorically
declared to Italy that in the event Of her COM
mencing an attack ON Austria she would leave
her to suffer the consequences, there was no
question that she would dcsist from such an
intention. The official notification received
from Italy and announced to the Chamber by
N. Rouher, just after this latter point had been
made, would appear to take the sting from 1t;
but we have yet to learn the precise terms OF
that document and how far it is qualified. Ad-
hitting it, however, to be full and complete,
II by no means puts an end TO the chance Of
war. The course Of Prussia ID not bound by
that of Italy, and we all know that, hostilitics
once commenced, It would be impossible to
hold the Italian people to the pledges made
by their government, and to prevent them
taking part in q confict in which they count
upon attaining the objects that are alone want
ing to complete the form Of their nationality.
We repeat, then, that although the COM
plexion Of the news is more pacific It is far
from conclusive. Solong as Napoleon controls
the threads Of the complication and his interest |
lies In the direction Of war 1t Is impossible TO
tell what fresh features Il may assume.