The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-11


is to come out of all the present commotion
master of the situation. The Austrian gov
ernment has published its annual Red Book,
and Baron Beust has felt it necessary to make
statements which show that there Is q great
deal more sympathy between Austria and
France than there is between Austria and
Prussia. Spain has been commanding the
attention of the nations for the last ten months
or more, and while our opinions have varied
as to the success or failure of the revolution
in that country we have been induced to
believe that it was reasonable to hope well for
the Spanish race. Germany, under its new
Prussian lead has been commanding the atten-
ton Of the nations since the commencement of
the famous Schleswig Holstein question, and
particularly since the battle of Sadowa; but
while we have had good reason to believe
that Germany was on the fair way to final
victory and complete consolidation specks
have appeared on the horizon which compel
us to admit that the German question
is not yet beyond the regions Of the doubtful
and that the life of Count Bismarck is becom-
ing more valuable to Prussia and the general
German cause as age and growing infrmities
induce him to seek retirement. Russia busies
herself more and more with questions Of inter-
nal reform and manifests genuine anxiety to
develop the races which Providence has
entrusted to her care. The emancipation of
the serfs was mighty step in the right direc-
ton. The more recent abolition Of the privi-
Of tho oln chC hiatt piuv
policy of Russia for the time being is clearly
in favor Of popular liberty and such develop
ment as is compatible with the general interests
of the empire. One of the most interesting
items of our latest news comes from the north
west OF Europe. Scandinavia shows signs Of
growing strength and purpose. Sweden, Nor
way and Denmark are inhabited by people
that belong to common stock. Sweden and
Norway have for some generations been one,
and to both union has been a benefit. Dem
mark has been painfully isolated, and Of late
Denmark has grievously suffered. This suffer-
ing and loss the Scandinavian races, ono
and all, see must continue unless they
can come under some common bond of
uDieH. They have recently, as our news
columns have shown, had a grand meeting at
which such union was strenuously advocated,
and the approaching marriage of the Crown
Prince Of Denmark with the daughter and
only child Of the reigning family in Sweden
promises to make this desired union fact
If we look at the situation in Europe from
another point Of view-from a point of view
of more general interest-the situation is even
more interesting. We know well that there
are many influences which are sufficient to cause
war. We know that war is avoided because
of it's uncertain consequences rather than be-
cause war is believed to be intrinsically and
essentially bad There are outstanding ques-
tons between France and Prussia of very
serious kind. But Napoleon has not been able
to persuade himself that war with Prussia
would of certainty rebound to his advan
tage, and war with that Power has in conse-
quence been very wisely avoided. 1t is
scarcely otherwise with Prussia, although
Prussia has the advantage in having no special
reason to court war. The recent speeches Of
Won Beust, the Austr0- Hungarian Chancellor,
one of the ablest men of this age,
man who is not to be named second to either
Napoleon or Bismarck, show that in the event
of difficulty arising between Prussia and
France Austria would be much more likely to
take the side Of France than the side of Prussia.
The latest speech of Won Beust, taken in con-
nection with the sentiments of the Austrian
Red Book, is rather alarming than otherwise
1t has caused, indeed, profound sensation,
particularly in Paris and Vienna. The French
Interpretation Of the language Of the Premier,
as will be seen by our cable dispatches to-
day, is in effect that the Austrian statesman
has informed Prussia In diplomatic terms that
the empire does not need the friendship of
consolidated Germany, having France in
entente cordia1e.
We now know with some degree of certainty
how Europe would arrange itselfIn the event
of war. In spite of all the trouble which is
now supposed to exist in the East we must
still regard France and Prussia as the two
Powers most likely to come into contact. A
war between them would necessarily divide
Europe into two hostile camps Austria would
go with France If 1t came to pressure. In such
case Russia might deem it necessary to 90
with Prussia. The Scandinavian kingdoms
might remain neutral but If necessity were
laid upon them they would be much more
likely to take the side Of the Germans than
that ofthe French. Italy would have no choice,
but remain neutral, and Spain and Portugal
are 30 helpless that they cannot be taken into
account. How the conflict would end we will
not take It upon us now to say. Certainly we
do not think that the South could beat the
North. After all, however, the war clouds
are not very alarming. All the nations are
too busy with questions of domestic reform to
allow themselves easily to be dragged into