New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-06
THE PARIS CONFERENCE.

FAhIS
Conference of Representatives Of the great Powers
of Europe in order to avert, if possible the mpend
ing war in Germany and Italy, has been fully agreed
upon. The States which will be represented at the
Conference are France, England Russia, Austria,
Prussia Italy and, probably, the German Conedera-
ton The subjects to be discussed are, ]. Venetia;
g. Scheswig- HoIstein; 3. The Reform Of the German
Confederation
OF these questions, by far the most important is
that Of venetia 1t really u.s. and is known to be,
of the most rrepressblc conflicts of Europe. Italy,
now nation Of twenty-five millions of inhabitants,
openly avows its design to avail itself Of any comp
cation in Europe to accomplish the liberation OF
Venetia The people of this Province are unanimous
in their wish for separation from Austria, and for
union with Italy Venetia thus constitutes contn
uing peril both to the integrity Of Austria and to the
peace of Europe.
At the Conference, Italy will call upon Austria to
part peaceably with a Province the inhabitants OF
which unanimously demand separation. The request
of Italy will be supported by France aud Prussia
Austria will Indignantly deny that on any principle OF
international law, Italy can lay claim to Nenetia
No European Power would recognize similar claim
France would not give up Asace if the people OF
that Province and of all Germany should unanimously
demand it, nor would Prussia be found willing to part
with any of her Slavic provinces. Why then, should
Austria be called upon to abandon VenetiaY
The cogency of this argument has been, and VIII
again be, acknowledged by Russia and England IL
the Representative ofthe German Confederation should
be allowed vote on this question, he would, OF
course take the same side All these Powers, II Italy
should bring on a war account OF Nenetla wouid
declare her to be in the wrong. But while resisting
the claims of Italy, some ALL of the allies OF Austria
will admit the great danger with the disafiectIon
of veneta threatens the peace of all Europe, and they
will not be absolutely opposed to asking Austria to
exchange that Province for territorial compensation,
if such can be found France Prussia, and Italy will
also declare their willingness to Austria fully in
IDENTIFIED and Austria herself, if territory should
be offered her not inferior in population and value to
venetia, and less likely to continue in rebellous
spirit would not obstnately refuse to consider the
proposition.
But here the real difficulty of the Conference will
begin 1t has been proposed that Prussia be allowed
to annex scnIeswig- Holstein, and in return eede
part of Sesa to Austria. The great obstacle to this
proposition is that Prussia is bent aggrandizlng
her territory and is therefore, disincned to cede any
considerable portion of her present area Moreover,
Schleswig and Hosten have population OF less than
one million inhabitants, while yenetia has two and
half millions. Schleswg Holstein could, therefore,
induce no government to offer to Austria an equiya-
lent for Venetia.
The only other expedient that has thus far been
publicly suggested is the annexation to Austria oil
either the Danubian Prncpalties or another part OF
Northern Turkey. But any proposition OF this
character would at once reopen the dreaded East
ern question: and in this question all the members OF
the Conference will move with more than ordinary
caution and reserve.
Little is known as to the opinions which the men,
beers of the Conference hold upon the questions OF
Scheswig- Holstein and of German Reform. France
is reported to favor popular vote in the Duchies.
As regards the German Confederation, the necessity
of calling together Parliament including representa-
tves Of all the German States, will probably be ad-
mitted on all Sides 1t may be regarded as certain
that the diversity Of opinion on these two questions
will be much greater than that of Veneiia; and
that therefore, it will be found much more difficult
to come TO all agreement.