New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-13
THE GERMAN QUESTION.

The good understanding between the Pruss IAN
Government and the Liberal majority of the Chamber
of Deputies has successfully stood all the Ordeals
through which it has had to pass, and still remained
unimpaired at the recent prorOgation of Parliament
There was for moment a serious danger of disagree
ment on financial question, but the earnest desire Of
both parties TO avoid falling out led TO mutual
cessons and the continuance Of the former
good relations. Count Bismark, in the last speech
which he made in the House of Deputies, showed
very conciatOry disposition, praised the patriotic
intentions and the moderation q the Chamber Of
Deputies and laid particular stress on the necessity of
harmony between Government ara people, in view
Of the great dangers which still threatening the
unity of Germany. Tho ultra Conservative Upper
House. in its turn, made though With great reluctance
the heavy sacrifice of giving its consent to tie Demo
cratic Electoral law for the North German Parliament
This law establishes universal and equal suffrage, and
thus creates, for this first Parliament of Northern
Germany basis as democratic a. that of any legis.
lstigs body in the world.
The meaning of these great and unusual concessions
made by all parties for the sake Of preserving harmony
clear In Berlin the belief in the era of universal
peace is evidently not strong ss the recent French
manifesto represents it to be in Paris. Count Bismark
remarked in his recent speech that the spirit OF con-
Citation had not entered the Austrian court with the
conclusion of peace and that the Eastern question
might lead TO serious European difficulties. The
present view of Prussia with regard to the Eastern ques
ton is not known but the new difficulty with Austria
concerns undoubtedly the fate of the South German
Confederation. Austria is known TO be decidedly op
posed to union Of the South German States with
+ba han IL ut dOubtpd
that the North German Parliament will strongly urge
the Government of Prussia to carry through the unfit
cation of Germany and that the Government, in its
turn is determined to seize the oppOrtune moment for
accomplishing the task.
In the South German States the opinion Is daily
gaining ground that the cordial acceptance Of the lead
ership of Prussia in the reconstruction of Germany
ha, become necessity. The Government Of Baden
has formally applied for admission into the Northern
Confederacy and although Prussia has replied that for
Diplomatic reasons she must for the present adhere to
the Main frontier, il is almost certain that the
Government and the Legislature Of this State will
heartily unite with Northern Germany, SO soon
a. the latter Power is ready TO consummste
this union As TO the spreading Of similar sentiments
in Wurtemburg it is significant that the President Of
the Chamber of Deputies in his recent opening
speech, openly svowed his sympathy with them.
Even the relations Of Bavaria to Prussia have become
more friendly. Count Bismark has been decorated
with Bsvaran order and secret treaty of alliance
IA said to have been concluded between Bavaria and
Prussia, STIMULATING for mutual aid in the event Of
an attsek from without. Nothing. on the other
hand has been heard yst Of measures tending toward
establishing confederation between the South Ger
man States. All tits indicates general and strong
tendency in the political movements Of Germany 10.
ward union Of North and South. The ISOLATION of
this question is kely to effect the next important ter
ritoral change in Europe unless it should be FORE
stalled BY the solution Of the Eastern question.