New-York tribune., 1867-07-29
THE NEW COMPLICATION IN EUROPE

TIE NEW COMPLICATION IN EUROPE
The Cable dispatch in this mornings issue
which announces that the official journal OF the
Austrian Government declares it to be the right
and interest of the Emperor Napoleon to enforce
the treaty of Prague, is OF much greater I'M
portance than the war rumOrs received hereto
fore. Supposing the sense of the Vienna Ga
.ette to have been correctly given, 1t is an
important fact that the Austrian Government
officially declares her sympathy with France, IN
case the latter Power should begin war against
| Prussia on account of the nOn-fulfilment OF
| that article of the treaty of Prague which pro-
vides for the restoration of some districts OF
| North Schleswig to Denmark The statement
of the Vienna paper may not necessarily imply
| that in such a case Austria will be the ally OF
France but it is unquestionably as much
manifestation of hostile sentiments toward
Prussia as any of the Austrian notes preceding
the outbreak of the German-ltalan war. 1t
will be generally understood as desire to see
| Prussia get into trouble, and even as desire
TO become in such a case an ally OF France,
whenever she may find it to be perfectly safe
to do so.
There can be no doubt that this move of Aus
| tria must he a great embarrassment to Prussia.
| The threats of France alone have not been, and
would not be, needed by the Prussian Govern
ment. But the case is vastly different if Aus
tra and France should unite Prussia will not
! think to fight single-handed against the united
forces of Austria and France, if war can hon
orably be avoided In this Schleswig question,
according to the above Cable dispatch, she
| haNo tbn Of
probably, from considerations of the close rcla-
tionship now existing between the soYerelgns
of Russia and Denmark would be unwilling to
act as an ally of Prussia. We are, therefore,
inclined to believe that if France, Austria, and
Russia conformity urge Prussia to come to an
understanding with Denmark, Prussia will beat
a cautious retreat.
1t is easy to imagine what the feelings of
! Prussia toward Austria must be after this move
! Austria has openly accepted the situation IN
| Italy and shown willingness to abandon past
rancor and anmosity. Prussia has been wait
! ing for some manifestation of the Austrian
| Government on the situation in Germany.
| Austria has now spoken, and Prussia cannot
but regard her as an enemy. Ii is likely
that this feeling will be shared by large
majority in the South German States /;
| for whatever dissatisfaction they may still
feel with Prussia, they will never side
with France against the remainder of Ger
many As long as the attitude of Austria, of
which the above article of the Vienna Gazette
| is the first uttemnce, continues, 1t must from
considerations of self-dcfensc become the pol
! icy of Prussia TO weaken Austria as much rs
possible. And such a policy is fraught with
/ great danger for Austria, for in Austria the
conflict of nati0nalitics still continues. Many
of the Austrian Germans sympathizc with
| Prussia. The Sclayic tribes with the sole ex-
ccption of the Poles, show a spirit of rebellion
and are aspiring at union with Russia The
| sympathy of Russia with these Scayic tenden-
/ cies in Austria is 50 strong that Russia and
| Austria are almost sure 20 be in future on no
] friendly terms Thus, there is. a natural and
/ strong temptation for Russai and Prussia to
I make common cause against Austria.
! Political combinations in Europe result from
! thirst of power, and are constantly changing.
! But in this constant change of the political as
| pcct of Europe it must be remembered that
! Austria occupies much more dangerous posi-
! tion than Russia, Prussia, or France. These
three Powers represent nationalitles consoli-
dated or in the course of consolidation, while
Austria is only loose agglomeraton of limbs
cut OF from the main trunk of several nation
alitics. Russia, Prussia, and France are strong
in themselves; Austria only by her alliances.
If the latter desert her, her position becomes
the more dangerous, rs Russia and Prussia can
complete their consolidation only 10y breaking
up Austria.
According TO dispatches received at a late
hour last night, the Paris MOpifeUr denies that
the Emperor Napoleon has written II letter to
King William, urging the cession of North
Schleswig, and that the semi-Olicial papers of
Berlin urge their Government not to allow any
French interference in German affairs. These
dispatches are u new proof that all these war
rumOrs ought to be received with the greatest
caution, aud again confirm our opinion, fre-
quently expressed, that aD immediate war is
not probable. Still, these dispatches do not
change the importance of the statement in the
official Vienna gazette (always suppOsing the
Vienna telegram TO be correct. 1t may be, at
all events, regarded as probable that there are
unfriendly feelings on the part of Austria and
France against Prussia that both would he
glad to humble Prussia, but that they will
pause before they bring on war; and that
Prussia, in the Schlcswig question, is disposed
| 20 make some concessions To Denmark and to
the Powers which support her.
| |
| Judging from the awards of prizes made by
| tie Commissioners of the Paris Exhibition, We