The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-04-06
The war-cloud in Germany.

The news from Europe still continues war
ike. Austria, resenting the dictatorial atti--
Jude OF Prussia, is rapidly concentrating a
heavy force on the Bohemian frontier. The
condition of her finances would
doubtless prevent her from initiating war;
but she is plainly resolved to stand her ground
it assailed. 1t is plain that she must either
yield, and accept compromise, or war IS in
evisable. Should conflict really break out
the probabilities are that it would involve not
alone the countries Immediately interested,
but all Europe is likely to be embroiled. The
most gloomy anticipations prevail. From our
foreign files received by the Damascus we
make few extracts showing the condition OF
affairs and the spirit of the Austrian and
Prussian press. 1t will be per :eived that each
party evidently hopes the other may recede
before it is too late:
The Vienna Presse says-HThe loss of a
bate would be attended with the most terri
BILE consequences to Prussia. In that event
it is not an army but a kingdom that would be
disintegrated. Ii Prussia succumbs she can
expect no conslderation-no moderation, on
the part OF the victors. The more the small
O~seSS VI 0SAMcAy WcTC buF6dL6Ueu, Lie
more they will endeavor, the moment circun-
stances shall have removed their apprehen-
sions, to escape for evermore from similar dam
gers. Should Prussia meet with a reverse in
this war it will be so severe that she cannot
again recover herself The appearances are
warlike. A spirit of determination prevails
at Vienna. They reckoned without their
host at Berlin when they imagined that a
sentiment of weakness would prevail here
If we do not despair of the maintenance of
peace it is because We appreciate the state of
Government must take the senseless step of,
risking much to gain little. If Prussia does
not conquer SchIeswig- Holstein nobody will
guarantee her the Interior possession of Silesia,
oaxony, the Rhenish Provinces, and West
phalia. Ii she does annex the Duchies on the
/ Elbe, France will be ready to make her remOn-
STRANGE, and to call in question that acquisi-
ton once more. Even admitting that Prussia
is not solicitous about rights which stand in
the way OF her advantage, we cannot suppose
that she is totally devoid of Judgment, fore
sight and prudence. If this be SO, and if she
is aware that she has to deal with an intrepid
adversary, Prussia will beat q retreat at the
last moment. We should not be surprised to
find the oficious trumpeters of Berlin making
merry in a few days hence at the expense fof
those who believed in coming war. When
the bay trees are too high and necks may be
easily broken in trying to bend them low, the
ioxes of the Prussian Marches are wont to de-
spise them" s'' 1 81 ias,
line Etoertfeld Gazette mentions that sew
eral rified pieces of ordnance were sent on
the 18th from Cologne to the fortresses in ST.
lesia.
The Neue Preussische Zestung of the 10th
contains the following: "We have to announce
"a grave fact. Austria and Saxony are ar1ning.
4 Up to the present we have not done So In
situations so critical as this the party who be-
gins to ann compels the other to arm in his
turn. The first step is fatal; that step has
been TAKEN The financial embarrassment Of
Austria does not prevent apparent demonstra-
tons on her part. She therefore means war.
and other Interpretation is impossible. The
Prussian Government must not, under such
circumstances, allow themselves to be tax
. en- by surprise. No doubt this will exasper-i
ate the situation, but the responsibility must
remain with those who have commenced war
like preparations"
Several German journals state that all the
secondary States, except Hanover, and Hesse-
Cassel, have informed the Cabinet of Vienna
that Austria can count upon their support if
she decides upon submitting the regulation Of
the affairs of the Duchies to the desision of
the Federal Diet, the only means. that may
still prevent conflict The Wurtenbuy1
Monttenr declares against the neutrality Of
Austria and Prussia. "The only true or pos
sible policy Of these States lit -says) would be
to oppose whatever would trouble the peace or
violate the Federal compact, as the Emperor
Nicholas said, the first who draws his sword
shall have me for his enemy" .054 ,is1aA
The Pail MdH Gazette says-"Most of the
smaller States believe that general war