The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-06
The European Crisis-Proposed Congress,

The European Crisis Proposed Congress.
EfUm 1e Times
There is so manifest plausibiity about nego-
tatiOn as a means OF reconciling antagonisms,
and removing difficulties, that first impressions
are almost always in its favor. What more
commendable than an effort TO avert war And
what more likely to avert war than q confer
ence of powers involved in trouble, with
powers having common interest in the pre-
servation Of peace To object-i may seem
is to confess oneself wrong, either in the cause
OF quarrel, or IN relation to terms proposed for
Its adjustment. Hence, nowadays, trouble
among nations, tending to hOstillties, is almost
invariably accompanied with propositions to
refer the points ut issue to a congress OF great
powers-the lesser powers having no preten.
sions which the others are bound to respect,
being therefore denied participation in delibera-
tions which may affect their own national eX.
istence.
The present crisis in Europe is not to be an
exception to the rule. Prussia, Austria, and
Italy are on the verge OF conflict; they have
fomented the causes OF irritation until any other
arOitrament than that OF the sword appears all
but impossible; they have severally asserted
claims IRON which they cannot easily recede,
and have prepared on colossal scale for their
enforcement; and now, when the world waits
anXIously tor the sound OF the first blow, the
mysterious man Of destiny steps forward with
scheme Tor European Congress, to winch the
whole complication shall be referred. Rumor
adds that England and Russia are not indis-
posed to accept the suggestion, and to assist in
its application.
But ctti bono9 What good results from Con-
crosses IN general, and what good may be ex-
pected 10 result from this Congress in particular?
There was conference IN London when Prussia
and Austria were conspiring to despoil Den
mark OF the Duchies, which now again come up
as ground of difference; but 1t ended in no.
thing. England's negotiations only deceived
Denmark, and the allied armies completed the
work as though no palaver had been held. 1t
will be the same with the Congress proposed by
Louis Napoleon, unless the idea Of Russia be
accepted and the majority OF the powers repre-
Sented under axe to enforce their decision, what
ever il be. For Prussia, Austria, and Italy have
all gone too far 10 recede without loss of prestige
and the probability of home dissatisfaction, un.
less some plan be hit upon by which each may
gain something TO satisfy its pride. And In
game of partition somebody must be dissatisfied
Austria and Prussia cannot agree concerning
the Duches or these preparations for conflict
had not been heard OF. Italy is intent upon
securing Veneta, or this masslug OF volunteers,
under the leadership of GarIbaldI would be
folly too stupendous for country already almost
bankrupt; and Austria will not give up Yenetia
save on receipt of a solid consideration in some
other quarter. What, then, is the probability OF
a satisfactory settlement, as the consequence of
the deliberations of q Congress in Paris Assign
the Duchies to Prussia, and what shall be the
equivalent accorded to Austria! Let Austria
retain Venetla, and how shall the longing for
italian unity be satisfied? Or say that the Vene-
tans shall shake off their unwilling allegiance
to the House OF Hapsburg, and Join their
fortunes to those of Italy, and in what man.
ner may Austria be compensated, except by
the Appropriation of territory not now
in dispute? Look at the problem in any
conceivable light, and what chance is there OF
its amicable solution? Nay what likelihood Is
there that the three powers now preparing tor
war will in good faith be parties to conference
whose decision cannot possibly be agreeable to
all of them? Or, fby, stretch OF the diplo-
matte conscience, all three be satisfied, must it
not be by aggrandlzing Austria at the expense
of Turkey, in which case Russia will not be
delighted, or by an arbitrary appropriation
else where and what would such settlement
amount to, beyond transfer of the causes of
difference, and perhaps a change in the relative
posit ons OF the powers now involved? Such a
result would merely be piece of diplomatic
leRerdemain; it might gam time-it might affect
the appearance of the continental chesS-board-
but the ultimate issue would still be war.
1t is not easy to reconcile the suggestion
emanating from the Tuileries with the course
thus far pursued by its author. If his aim really
is to prevent war, the wonder is that he has de-
layed his effort until war has come to be con-
sidered inevitable. The grounds OF quarrel were
as we'll understood three months ago as they are
at this moment, and the reasons tor the holding
OF a Congress were every whit as cogent. Why
was the proposition withheld till now? A
word would then have restrained Italy, bu
that word was not spoken. And an over
ture for peace as between Prussia and Aus
tria would have stood better chance o
being listened to than it can now, with botf
powers committed, and prepared for war
The suspicion arises, then, that the proposed
Congress is but preteXt for bringing the grea
powers OF Europe together, and that, once
assembled, the policy dimly shadowed forth al
AuXerre will be more fully promulgated. A revi
sion Of territorial boundaries for the accommo
dat'On of Prussia Austria, and Italy would b
colorado excuse for revising the map of Eu
rope in the interest Of France. The reason Woul,
be evident in one case as in the other ;the equit
OF serving the German powers and pacifyin
Italy the great object upon which the heart o
Napoleon is fiXed-the overthrow of treatie
VIII ch humiliate France and weaken his dynast
ha Snh hat al lv obi