Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-07-05
The European War.

The European war.
No single cause can be assigned for the
war which has just burst upon Europe,
but the preteXt upon which Prussia and
Austria fight is a very simple matter.
By the defeat of Denmark, whom
England encouraged to go to war
and then deserted, the two great
German Powers became in 1864 joint
possessors of the Duchias of SChles-
wig, Holstein, and Lauenburg. Less
than a year afterward, Austria sold
her rights in Luenburg for 100000
thalerS, and by the Convention of Gas
tein it was agreed that the joint Occupa-
tiOn should terminate, that Austria
should take possession of Holstein, and
Prussia of Schleswig. This was one
step in the negotiation by which Prus-
STA expected ultimately to become mas
ter of both the Duchies, but beyond this
point Austria refused to 60 and rejected
every proposition for the final CessiOn of
her rights of Holstein--a province of
little value to Austria, but Of great value
to Prussia on account of its nearneSs to
her frontiers, and of it's seaport, Kiel.
AS the diplomacy Of Prussia grew more
and more urgent, AUSTRIA on the first
of June last, handed over the question
to the Federal Diet of Germany. This
step Prussia instantly denOunCes a vio-
latiOn of the Convention of Gastein,
since by that Convention it had been
agreed that all matters relating to the
Duchies should be settled between Aus
tria and Prussia independently of the
TN,,R a ~,f, !
clared that convention at an end, and
insisted that, as consequence her right
to the joint occupation of Holstein was
revived. She prepared, therefore, to
march troops into that Duchy.
Long befoee the dispute had reached
this point, the menacing tone of the ne
! gOtiatiOns between these two great Pow
ers had warned Europe that the CONT
nent was on the eve Of war; and the
rest of the States were not less interested
in the approach of war than Austria and
! Prussia themselves. There are, in the
| first place, the minor State of Germany,
forming with Austria and Prussia the
Germanic Confederation. In that Con-
federation, two struggles have long been
proceeding side by side; first, the strug-
~
controlling influence on the whole Con-
federation second the struggle of the
people, including the people of Austria
and Prussia as well as of the minor
States, toward a German nationality,
which should embrace under the govern
ment all Germans speaking populations.
No war could occur which should not
have an immense influence upon these
two issues. Austria has succeeded in
attaching temporarily to her side ma
jOrity of the minor States, and the Fed
eral Diet, representing a population Of
100000 exclusive of Austria and
Prussia, has declared in favor OF the
former. Neither Austria which still
obeys the despotic traditions of the
House Of Hapsburg, nor Prussia which
is ruled by Bismark, a minister whose
policy is nothing by the people, has any
sympathy with the aspirations of the
German Liberals, but both had cOncilia-
ted and used the popular feeling as one
instrument in their struggle for suprem-
acy. In point Of fact, it is this desire
for leadership in Germany which drives
Austria and Prussia to arms, and by no
means their misunderstanding about
the petty State of Holstein. All the
HOlstein difficulties could be readily
enough arranged were it not for the ire
pressible conflict between the two great
German powers, either to establish an
ascendency in the present councils of the
nation, or to become its recognized head
whenever it's political reorganization
shall take place. The minor German
States, however, are not at this mo-
ment the most important element in the
situation.
More than any other European pow
er, Italy welcomes the coming war
Since the Peace Of Villafranca, in 1859,
left Venetia in the hands of her Austrian
tyrants, Italy has watched, and waited,
and prayed for the moment when it
might be possible to strike blow for
the liberation of that province and the
unity of the kingdom. As soon as it be-
came probable that the negotiations be-
tween Austria and Prussia must end in
war, Italy sent an envoy to Berlin to
conclude an offensive and defensive alli-
ance with the enemy of Austria. Prus-
STA bound herself not to make peace till
Italy should be able to make terms with
Austria, and Italy joyfully pledged her.
self to stand or fall with Prussia. War,
indeed, had become necessity to italy.
In maintaining great army for the de-
Tense Of her Venetian frontier, her treas
ury had strained its resources to the ut
most, and her most provident statesmen
agreed it was better to hazard every
thing in a war which had a reasonable
chance of success, than to sink slowly
into hopeless bankruptcy. The Italy
which believes in Garibaldi was impa-
tent for an opportunity to redeem its
pledge to its brothers in Venetia.
The PORE IN WANT OF MoNRY.-The
papal government has appointed a New