New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-09-09
THE RACE BETWEEN PRUSSIA AND FRANCE

Prussia does not wish to be outdOne by
France in assurances of pacific intentions,
and pacific note has consequently been issued
from the Prussian Foreign Office. i'll which the
recent note of NJ. Moustier the French Foreign
Minister, is alluded to as highly satisfactory to
tbe Prussian Government. No one, of course,
belicres in these assurances, end least of all
the two Governments of France and Prussia,
which not for moment lose sight OF the fact
that their rival claims to superiority are still
undecided, and which do not cease their pre-
narations if 20, for an immediate war, ut least
for an increase of their military strength.
This preparation of the two great powers Of
Europe is now the leading question OF Euro
pean politics. and we are naturally Hooded
with innumerable rumors concerning 1t, the
great majority of which, it is safe to say, are
false or Enthusiastically. There are, however,
few undoubted facts, which throw considerable
liolt upon tho progress of affairs since the
Sal,burg Conference.
One of these facts is the speech Of the Grand
Duke of Baden on the opening of the Diet in
which he strongly urges tlq speedy union of
the South German States with the North Ger
man Confederation AS the Grand Duke, In
ills question, fully agrees with the majority OF
the people of his country we have here the
first reply of one of the three South German
States to the Franco-Austrian plan of new
South German Confederation, under the lead
crship of Austria Bavaria and Wurtemberg
are likewise known to be opposed to this Con-
federation, although they are less determined
with regard to their entering the North Ger
ID "a =. Iopk fl,at In
determination of any of the South German
States to Unite With the bulk of the German
nation must accelerate the union of all, for 1t
must appear impossible to all sensible men Ill
one or two small States to keep up a respect
able independence, and if only the alternative
Is left of a closer union with Prussia or an al
lance with Austria and France, few will
be found to choose the latter.
Another fact of considerable Importance is
the invitation by the Prusslan ambassador at
Florence to Garibaldi to dine with him. It's the
first time that the Prussian Government openly
courts the alliance of the Italian Party of Ac-
ton. The Government of Italy has for some
time been on bad terms with both France and
Austria. New negotiations have been going on
between Florence and Berlin. The Italian
Minister of War, Cugia, has been on special
mission to the Prussan capital, and the Prus-
sian Minister at Florence, the Count de Use
dom, has gone there at the same time. One
of his first acts on his return to Florence
is the invitation TO Garbaldi. The mean
ing of these movements is plain. Italy
is only held back by fear of France
from openly joining the alliance with Prussia
and Russia, by the aid of which powers she
has reason to hope for the annexation of both
Rome and the Italian provinces OF Austria
The Party of Action, therefore, must eagerly
embrace this alliance. and the invitation TO
Garbald is a significant hint that, if the Italian
Government should hesitate, Prussia would not
even disdain the services of the Party of
Action. But it is too clearly the interest of
Italy TO seek the friendship Of Prussia and
Russia, to suppose that she would resist the
strong inducements which such an alliance
offers.
In connection with the above facts, it is re-
markabe that the Italian movement begins
again to show itself very strongly in the Italian
and the German movement in the German
provinces of Austria. All this looks ominous
for Austria.