The New York herald., 1866-07-24


would mot be out Of place in view OF the
strange conduct Of the Secretary. Whore are
the detectivesf
The Curious Complications Of tho European
Troubles.
Tho important intelligence from Europe,
dated to the 18th Of July, which we publish
this morning, indicates very plainly that
the general opinion tends to the belief that
the armisdce proposed by Napoleon will
amount to nothing, and that the war will
have to be resumed. Where the various in
teresb arc 80 conflicting, and where everybody
expects 90 much, . peaceable agreement is by
no means likely. Napoleon has undertaken to
bring about . settlement; but the almost
unanimous sentiment Is that he has undertaken
too much, and may himself become involved
In the difficulties which he is trying to arrange.
He has appealed to Russia and TO England to
assist him; but the interests Of these two
Powers are not at oil identical, nor do they
coincide with those Of France. Either England
or Russia could afford to let the war go on be-
tween the original combatants to its natural
results without being very much affected BY
it one way or the other. Napoleon, on the
other hand, Is very anxious about boundaries
and the balance Of power; and this anxiety
has led him to so mix himself up with the dis
pute that he can hardly avoid taking On active
part in whatever may follow.
Let us look for . moment at the various
complications. Austria, by her own confession,
has been badly beaten. History contains the
record Of no other campaign 80 grand, 50
short and 30 decisive. The German Confedera-
ton is broken up, and Prussia has overrun
several Of the minor States Venetia has been
Italy discontented and angry. Now, In any
conference that may be held, the first points
to be considered will be the demands ofPrussia.
What will Prussia require! Bismarck has
always been . bold and ambitious man, and 1t
is probable that he will rather increase than
queror. II Bismarck consents to new Ger
man confederation, with Prussia as its leader
and Austria as one Of the minor States, that
may be arranged; but we doubt whether he
will confne himself to 30 moderate Q project
There is much bad blood between Prussia
and Austria, and It is more likely that Bis
marck will insist that Austria shall be excluded
altogether, and, that Prussia shall be allowed
to retain oil the territory she has occupied and
become the great German empire, with leave
TO gobble up the remains of Austria upon
some other occasion. Should this proposition
be made, England and Russia may be willing
to agree to it-particularly after the express
sion Of that ominous warning contained in the
Moscow Gazette, to the effect that il Italy and
Prussia permit themselves to be made the
stools" Of France, they are not to be
trusted-since Austria has certainly deserved
her fate, and since . united German en-
pire would be an excellent Offset against
France. Napoleon could not accept any such
scheme, however, and Austria would also
object. Hero, then, we come upon decided
difference Of opinion, enough Of itsek 10 break
up the Conference.
But Italy has her demands - we'll - Prussia.
The Italians feel that Austria should have sur
rendered venetia to them instead Of to France,
and they know that the object Of this surprising
transfer Is to save Rome and the Pope, by
afYording Napoleon the means Of driving hard
bargain with Italy. Almost unquestionably,
Italy viii not consent to make such bargain,
especially as powerful Prussia is her backer.
Napoleon may talk about Rome and Venice,
but the Italians will contend that venetia
already belongs to them, and therefore cannot
be used in tho trade, and that Rome is also .
part Of Italy, and must not be taken from her.
The Italian government might, perhaps, be
willing to yield something to Napoleon, but the
Italian people would not permit II. A conces-
sion would be the signal for revolution. But
IL Italy shall assume this attitude, how is Napo-
leon to got out Of the squabble gracefullyf He
may give up venetia, but he can claim no
credit and no compensation for IT, In history
it will look like giving up ripe plum to de.
termined little fellow who says that 1t
is his; that he will have IL; that he
for ii, and that If you don't give 1t him ne will
call his big brother, Prussia, and raise row.
To relinquish the plum ia, under the circum-
stances, the best course TO pursue; but IL will
lack that theatrical effect Of which Napoleon is
so fond, and IL will not help the Pope Of Rome.
What will help The Popci Will Napoleon take
part in the war for the sake Of his Holiness I
Would IL be safe for him 70 do 50 Franco
is now a nation Of restaurant keepers,
as England 10 nation Of shop keepers,
and desires, most Of oil, not glory Or terri
tory, hut peace and The chance 70 make little
money. Bismarck may be very impudcnt and
Italy very ungratcful, but war taxes and tho
conscription are worse than either. II Napo-
leon were TO 20 to war . revolution In France
would be among the probabilities. But II be
does not 70 TO war, how Is he to save the Pope
and assist Austriaf This is the problem over
which be is now figuring. But In any event we