New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-12
DEMONSTRATIONS or GERMANY


The treaty of peace concluded at Prague
between Prussia and Austria provided that that
norton of the old German Confederation which
lies south of the river Main, and which COM
prses the Kingdoms of Bavaria and Wur-
temberg, and the Grand Duchies OF Baden
and Darnstadt, be excluded from the
North German Confederation. 1t was to be
optional for these States to form South Ger
man Confederation with or without Austria.
From Official statements of both the Prusslan
and the French Governments, it has since be-
come known that the temporary separation OF
the South German States from those of
North and Central Germany was concession
by Prussia to a direct demand of France.
Louis Napoleon, in insisting upon this arrange
ment, hoped that these feeble States OF
North Germany, unable to find sufficient
support in Austria, and repelled from an ALI
ance with Prussia by the prevalence OF sec
tional animosity, night be prevailed upon to
accept protectoratc of France. Bismarck, in
concoding the point trusted that common sense
would be strong enough in the Governments
and people of Sonth Germany TO cause them to
accept the leadership of Prussia rather than n
protectorate of France or an alliance with
poweress Austria, and that they would not re-
fuse their cooperation in the final consolidation
of all Germany.
Sooner than was anticipated has the current
of events realized the anticipatiOns of Count
Bismarck. In Baden. which very reluctantly
had been drawn into the war against Prussia,
Government and Diet, soon after the conclusion
of peace, expressed a wish TO be admitted into
the North German Confederation. For OBJ
viouS reasons the Prlssian Government
could not favor such an isolated move on
the part of Baden, rs it must prefer
a simultaneous manifestation in the same di-
rection by all the South German States. This
movement has now fairly begun with the
highly important speech of the new Bavarian
Prime Minister, the Prince OF Hohenlohe. Be
lieving tie object at which the Bayarian policy
should ain to be the preservation of Germany
" and the unity of all the German tribes" the
Prince announces that his Government was
resolved MT 10 form Southwestern Con-
federation Inder the pr0tect0rate OF non
German power. nor 10 conclude an alliance
with the South German States under the
leadership d Austria, nor TO lend a hand TO
the formation of a South Western Federal
State shut M within itself. The only course
left to Bavari; az a second class German State.
(which. as sch, cannot exist without some
European aliance,n was to ally herself,
in case of foreign war, with Prussia. This
alliance would render it necessary that in case
of foreign wal Bavaria should place her army
under the command of Prussia, and that in
the meanwhile he Bavarian army should be so
recognized MS to facilitate such military
cooperation. TO make this alliance all
the more efficient, Prince lIohenlohe an
nounced his wish 10 induce the other South
German States to adopt exactly the same policy.
The latest accounts from Germany state that
the programme of the Prince of Hohenlohe is
fully approved by all the governments of
South Germany A conference was to be held
at once at Stuttgardt, TO mature plan for the
introduction of the military system of Prussia
and to conclude an alliance which would pro-
vide for placing all the South German troops
under the leadership of Prussia in case of n
foreign war
The importance of This movement to the flu
tUe of Germany is obvious. Whatever the
discussions OH the best way of reeonstructing
the political unity of Germany may be, the
military union of North and South Germany
will secure the progressing reconstruction from
all foreign attacks Together, North and South
Germany constitute a nation with pop
ulaton of about 3S,OO00O0, which, under
tie leadership of the first military power of
Europe, will be amply able to defend the
integrity of its territory. The patriotism which
prompts this new movement of the South
German States cannot fail to be fully 0pprc-
ciatcd in Northern Germany, and to give a
powerful impulse to the national tendencies for
the union of all the German people under one
Government.