New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-19
THE yoRrH GERMAN c0NFEDERA TON

Preparations for constituting the North German
Confederation have been carried on with great activ
tv sinee the return Of Count Bisnark to Berlin. On
Saturday Dec Is, representatives, Of tho several
Governments mot in Berlin, in order TO mature
the propositions to DO submitted on tho part Of
the Governments TO The first North German
Parliament which will assemble on tho i6t OF
rebruary Ifitbe kepti mind that oil the 29,'|V 7o|
inhabitants of the Confederation no less than
%. 5a3 belong to Prussia. it will be evident
that the Conferences in Berlin have more the appear
ance Of meeting Of vassas Of Prussia than oil peers
In cases of Disagreement it may be presumed That
the rcmonsrances of the allied Governments VIII Dc
very modest for they all know tba they are not only
poweress with regard to Prussia but that the Paria-
ment which will soon assemble will strongly de-
clare itself in favor Of a consolidation oil tho
Confederation into ono State, and consequent
weakening OF the powers of the minor Governments
The latest reportl from Germany indicate that
Prussia will carry through with promptness and
energy the consolidation of tho army of the Con-
federation and ofits diplomatic representation The
soldiers Of tho minor Governments will, IN tact, at
once DO incorporated with the Prussian army and DO
placed under the command ofPrussian Generals This
virtually completes the absorption of the minor States
by Prussia, and the latter Govsrnment can well
afford 70 display ID points Of lessor Importance an ap
parent lberalty toward the minor princes
Tho elections for the Parliament have not yet been
held but it Is already safe 10 say that the Parliament
will DO nearly unit in sustaining the great transfer
nation which has taken place in the federal relations
of the German States, aud in urging on the Govern
ar A., work Of NATIONAL
unity In fact if there should be any difference in
the German policy between Count Bsmark and the
Parliament it will be in tho greater eageness Of the
latter to include as soon rs possible the German
States and Provinces which still excluded from
the Confederation As the Legislature of Baden has
with almost entire unanimity resolved to apply Tor
admission into the Confederation and as France aud
Austria must be expected to mako to such o. adms'
sion the most determined opposition, the discussions
on this subject bid fair to be Of great interest.
The new North German Confederation is in point
Of population the fifth State Of Europe, being only
exceeded By Russia, which in it, European dominions
has a population of 6lOOO,OOO by France, with
81, a72 732 inhabitants; Austria, with 2,572O OOi and
Great Britain with % 32l 019. But of its four
superors in point of population, Austria and Great
Britain have even now less influence in councils
of European politics than Prussia; aud while
they remain stationary, and are disturbed by
violent agitation and even fears Of disinte'
grafton, Prussia ia irro5stibly pressing forward.
Her army is so powerful that it has even compelled
the Government of France to attempt an entire
reorganization Of its military force, at the risk Of
creating general discomfort Of tho people. Unless
oycrpowercd by grand combinations Of other Euro
pesn powers, Germany is now sure to advance, with
fair prospect of becoming soon, next to Russia
The leading power in Continental Europe.