The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-28
The Political situation In Europe.

The prompt termination of the war 10 Ger
many afforded to political optimists fervent
matter for congratulation They saw in it the
Inauguration Of political millennium which
was to confer upon Europe all the blessings
resulting from protracted peace. The ink is
scarcely dry on the treaties which were to as
sure this happy state Of things, when clouds
again begin to gather on the political horizon.
Minds accustomed to the philosophical investi-
cation Of such matters profess to see in them
sources Of much greater anxiety than any that
have as yet troubled the peace of Europe.
There is no denying that there is good deal
Of justice in the arguments on which this
opinion is based. The practical result Of the
struggle between Austria and Prussia was the
legitimization Of principle which had pre-
viously been regarded merely in the light Of
spoliation. When in the settlement Of Europe,
made by the Holy Alliance, weak kingdoms
were divided and apportioned out to their
powerful neighbors, il was not sought to gloss
over the robbery by euphemistic terms. The
Powers concerned went straight to their object
without caring for those verbal reHnements
which nowadays seem to have become fea-
ture OF the language Of European diplomacy.
Then the smaller States were absorbed
avowedly to strengthen the larger ones now
they are absorbed "for the reinforcement and
safety Of these States themselves" The fact is
ignored that under the German federative
system the populations Of the celebrates and
Duchies have enjoyed as much happiness and
security as any political system, with the ex-
ception, perhaps, of our own, could have
given them. We very much question whether
under the stronger government OF Prussia their
condition will be at all improved.
This, however, lime alone can demonstrate
We take up the subject not to examine II in its
various bearings, but to show to what an ex-
tent this principle Of "absorption y is likely
TO be pushed and how it will affect the geo.
graphical status and relations of the European
governments No sooner has the German ques-
tfon been closed than we hear of the contem-
plated partition and absorption of Denmark by
Prussia and Sweden. Robbed first by Prussia
and Austria Of the Duchies, Sweden is now in
vited to participate in q division of her remains.
The object is, Of course, to complete the COM
plemcnt of naval strength which Prussia deems
essential TO her increased territorial import
ance.
IL is plain that IL this project be carried out
there will at once be movement OF similar
character by the other leading European
Powers Russia will push with energy her
designs In the East, and, to strengthen herself,
will probably consent to an absorption . BY
Austria OF slice OF the European possessions
OF The Sick Man." Then France will want
Belgium for the coveted extension OF her
boundary, and Gibraltar for the security OF the
commercial advantages al which she has been
aiming in promoting the construction Of the
Suez canal. Whether Spain will "absorbn
Portugal or Portugal Spain, or whether like
the Kilkenny cats they viii "absorbr each
other, is difficult to say but on Count Bismarck's
newly established principle II is evident that
they are both too weak to continue to exist
separately.
In all this we cannot but perceive the ele-
mcnN Of renewed strife and perhaps Of
general war In Europe. England cannot with
out abdicatIng her position as a first class
Power. permit any further ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of
Denmark Hanover, the patrimony Of her
rsigning dynasty. has been torn from II BY
Prussia without aremonstrance on her part
There d scarcely German sovereign, In fact,
that has been destitVted BY Prussia who 10 mot
closely allied with her Queen. II this thiug