New-York daily tribune., 1866-04-04

question to the authority of the Federal Diet
or to arbitration, would equally mean defeat

question to the authority of the Federal plet,
or to arbitration, would equally mean a defeat
of the Prussan policy for the present.
But, in whatever manner the present coinpii'
cations may be removed, the conflict between
Prussia and Austria will 60 on; nor will IL De
long before another and more serious crisis VIII
make its appearance. The real conflict OF the
two powers is for the leadership of the German
nation. The present confederacy is with rapid
strides approaching its dissolution. How the
reunion of the now dsmembered portions OF the
country may be effected, it is difficult ana
perhaps impossible to foretell; but that they
will be united, the Austrian and PrusSlan
statesmen no more doubt than the leaders OF
the Republican party. Prussia, 1t Is gene
rally believed, has made to Austria
the formal offer of dividing the minor States
between themselves, and Of thus establishing
for the present, two German Empires, to De
united by a common diet and other bonds OF
union. But the acceptance OF this propostOn'
as Austria well sees, would make Prussia strong
and leave Austria weak. If Prussia absorbs
little States, like Lauenburg, Schleswig, and
Holstein, a few years will probably suffice
to accomplish the most thorough amalgama'
ton. The annexed people would forget the
mode Of annexation in view of the undouDted
material advantages which they would de-
rive from an incorporation with Prussia; and'
at the same time, every new aggrandizemeht
must make Prussa-which already counts more
than 10, 900, 600 nhabitants-appear IN the eyes
of the Germans as the only country which can
effect and defend the national unity
Austria. on the other hand, cannot possibly
expect an equal increase Of power from an an
nexation of minor German States. At present,
the Germans of her Empire number not more
than 7, $50, 900 in a total population OF 35ooo''
900; and of this small minority fully 100000
are living in countries Hungary, Transylvania,
Sc.) where. in case of a conflict between the
several nationalities they are unable to add any
strength to the German element; while more
than two other millions, though not geographi'
cally cut off from the main trunk OF the nation
are at least living in Provinces predominantly
Sclayic bohemia and Moravia). No additions
that Austria can possibly obtain BY an annexa-
ton Of minor German States can possibly secure
to the German race a numerical majority III her
total population. No one, moreover, expects
that the non.Geman nationalities will abandon
their national ASPIRATIONS; on the contrary
their aspirations are gaining strength every
year. and make the ultimate dissolution OF the
Empire from year to year more certain.
The weakness of Austria il becoming more
and more apparent; and Prussia, therefore, can
afford to treat her with an almost unparalleled
insolence and to make her drink the emp oil
humiliation TO the dregs Nor would the
Prussian Government be likely TO hesitate to
annex the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein,
at the risk of war with Austria and the
Federal Diet combined. The only considera-
ton which does delay decisive action on her
part is the fear Of an interference by other Great
Powers.
To obtain their neutrality will be the great
object of the Prussian policy during the coming
year. If only this point can be secured, the
| '4llcAilipu vi lAlt IbaSSs " AN'''eA
will probably proceed with great rapidity.
The Grown Jurists" have Of late shown such
a docility as to the wishes Of the Crown that, if
commanded, they would demonstrate Prussian
claim to every country of Europe. We see it
stated in German papers that not only Bruns-
wick but also Hesse.Cassel will be claimed at
the death of the present rulers, and that the
annexation of Schleswg and Holstein may
soon be followed by claim to Hamburg and
Lubbock, as former dependencies of Holsteln.
Whether these reports are correct or not the
future fate of central Europe will depend on
the issue Of the conflict between Prussia, Aus
tria, the other German States and the German
people. Viewed in this light, the development
of the German question is we'll worthy of close
attention.
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