The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-04-11
State of European Affairs.

that favors it.. 81 81 o.l'f .,i5a III sai
State of European Affairs. ~
Critical State of a fairs an the CONT
ae,st-P sa1ssi;as Real Destga-The
Mask throaon off dsiaW ,aailegaJ 80
Prom theLondon Morning Post. March 3d.
The prospect of affairs on the Con-
tinent is not encouraging. A twelve
month since the horizon was scarcely
more overcast than it is at this mo-
ment, and we know what the summer
brought forth. With the conclusion
of the Austro- Prussian war many
were inclined to believe that the set
tlement effected by the beligerents
was final. and that in becoming mis-
tress of Northern Germany the am
bition of Prussia was satisfied. The
apparent readiness with which that
Power stopped short in its victorious
career, and the Willingness with which
1T assented to the suggestion thrown
out by France that the line Of the
Main should mark the southern
boundary of the Northern Confedera-
ton, furnished what were supposed to
be ample grounds for such belief
France, in her capacity of mediator,
stepped in between the combatants,
, and then, and since then. has congratu-
lated herself on the success with which
she persuaded Prussia to temper the
rigor of her demands with fitting
moderation. 1t low turns out, how
ever, that whilst to all appearances
stopping short at the Main, Prussia
was, in truth, extending her from
tiers to the Alps The secret treaties
concluded between her and Bavaria
and Baden, now for the first time
shown to have been concluded al
most simultaneously with the treaty
of Nikolsburg, prove that everything
either said or assented to by Prussia
In respect to the line of the Main,
was simply blind to cover her real
designs The time, however, has now
come when Count Bismarksconsiders
that the true position Of. Prussia in
Europe may conveniently be dis
closed, and persons have noticed, as
a curious coincidence that this dis
closure has been made Immediately
after the rather remarkable debate
which afolloved the INTERPRETATION of
NJ. Theirs in the CorpslLegislatifl
The. organ of thee French Govern
Ihent having given it to be understood
in the recent debate that the line of
the Maine marked the southern FROM 7
tier of that portion of Germany which
acknowledges the supremacy of Prus-
STA, Count Bismark hastens to correct
so serious a misapprehension.. The
King OF Prussia he points out, has as
complete control over the armies of
Southern as he has over those of
Northern Germany. He is, in fact,
the Generallissimo of the forces ofall
Germany, and in the event of war
can dispose of them as he thinks fit.
The river Maine. France and Europe
generally are given to understand, is
simply a geographical fact, and by its
existence and position no more affects
the joint action of Northern and
Southern Germany than the river
Thames affects that of Surrey and
Middlesex.
We fear the day is gone by when
statesmen can speak seriously of the
balance Of power in Europe. Assum-
ing that the desired equilibrium ex-
listed two years ago, it must be con-
seriously disturbed by the creation of
State numbering. some fifty millions
of Inhabitants. 1t remains to be
seen whether not -enly-the Western
Powers but the great Eastern
Power will acquiesce In this change.
This is not the time to review the
policy which was pursued by them
during the Dano- German war !; but it
is evident that, if those whom we
may term the outsiders were then
interested in maintaining theaexisting
balance Of power, they ought then to
have interposed to prevent a gross
violation of international law. It
may be in the recollection of our
readers that we, although nearly
alone, advocated the cause of Den
mark, and pointed out that the
blow directed against her was
in fact. leyelled against severy small
State in Europe. It has been
frequently urged, and not without
much FEASIBILITY, that the existence
of number of small States too insig-
nificant to maintain their own indie
pendepces was a source of weak pess-
in the general economy of Europe.
But, those who held this belief will
proha big feel that the existence 6fa
State such as Prussia has now become
will be a source Of still greater dam
ger.olIt may be asked, will France
acauiesce in this change? Prussia
will reply to such, question by saying
that she must acquiesce. And this is
the explanation Of the treaties with
the Southern powers. Is the logic of
accomplished facts so conclusive, as to
carry conviction to the minds of Ma
poleon III. and his advisers?l The