The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-22

The Overthrow ofthe Gcrmanic Oonfoderation
In 1S00-PoIltieal History Of Germany
DurIna the Feur Previous Years.

exceedingly interesting review OF work Just
published by Sir Alexander Malet, entitled
''The Overthrow of the Germanic Confedsra-
lion by Prussia in 1866" We quote il en-
tire:-
The appearance of this work is exceedingly
well-timed. At the present moment, the his
tory of the war of 1866 between Prussia and
Austria is interesting in the highest degree,
both as laying bare the policy of Prussia, and
discovering the means by which that policy
can be carried out. The political history Of
Germany during the years 1S62-1S66 is the
theme of Sir Alexander Malet, late her Ma
jesty's Envoy Extraordinary 10 the Diet
at Frankfort; and he also furnishes
valuable military information with regard
to that part of the war of 1866 in
Northern and Western Germany, and dsvotes
q chapter to the military growth of Prussia.
Sir Alexander Malet commences with brief
sketch of the Constitutional the Diet of the
Germanic Confederation. This chapter,
however, would be more appreciated by the
antiquarian than the general reading public,
and does not call for particular notice. The
history also of the spoliation of Denmark,
which follows, is in a certain sense thing
of the pasta regretted, but an accepted,
accomplished and irrevocable fact.
The chapters, however, devoted to this
subject are interesting both on account of the
singularly excellent opportunities possessed
by the author for becoming acquainted and
forming an opinion of the facts, and also on
account of the part played by our own Gov
eminent, and because it was the first act of
the drama which eliminated only few weeks
ago in the virtual union of all Germany. 1t
is only fair to Sir Alexander Malet to give the
following extract from his preface
"Time has already revealed many mysteries mex
picable at the period In which the events occurred,
and relieved me from the duty OF silence on circum
stances Of which at the time gained knowledge
only from my Official position"
The Schleswig- Holstein question was stated
by Lord Palmerston to have been one which
was thoroughly understood by himself and
mother person who at the time of its COM
plete development was dead. We shall not
seek, therefore, to analyze the matter, and
shall content ourselves with pointing out the
dishonesty of the German powers, the ques-
tionable conduct of the Emperor Napoleon,
and the feeble misleading policy of Earl Rus
sell.
Count Bismarck embraced the opportunity
afforded by the dispute with Denmark to lay
the foundation of Prussan supremacy in
Germany, and made use of the terror enter
tanned by Austria of democratic movement
to render her an unconscious accomplice in
Prussian aggrandizement. The feelings
which actuated Count Bismarck are plainly,
forcibly, and, we believe, correctly stated by
the author
IN. de Bismarck's whole soul glowed with the
passionate resolve to expel Austria from Germany
1t not in his character to hesitate as to means
and neither moral nor material obstacles diverted
contest unincumbered by scruples OF any kind
To raise Prussia to the political status which he
ligion He entered the path of action with the fer
vor Of Mohammed enforcing novel faith, and,
like Mohammed he succeeded"
The first step towards carrying out his OBJ
ject was an association with Austria in regard
to the Schleswig. Holstein affair; Austria
being simply used to assist in drawing out of
the fire chestnuts of which she was destined
never to have share. The cooperation of
Austria having been secured, the next step
was to make cloak of the Diet to the high
handed proceedings contemplated; the Diet
itself being afterwards cast on one side as
q useless and cumbersome garment. The
matter, as regarded Schleswig at least,
partook of an international nature, though
it suited the Germans to deny this obvious
fact. 1t was necessary, therefore, to prevent
the intervention of France, bound not only
by the treaty of London, in 1852, to guarantee
the integrity of Denmark, but also by the
memory of past friendship and great sacri-
fees, to prevent the spoliation of her stead
fast ally. Sir Alexander Malet explains the
refusal of France to interfere, and
this explanation, though founded only
on surmise, is probable enough when read by
the light of subsequent events. Even the
surmises, moreover, of one in Sir A. Malet's
position, and possessing special means of in
formation and peculiar opportunities for
drawing just differences, are worthy Of con-
sideration. The explanation is given in the
following passage
"There exists, however, a very general persuasion
that M. de Bismarck has already found means in
fluence the imperial mind 1t has been surmised
that his own schemes of aggrandizement for Prus-
STA, at the expense both OF Denmark and of Ger
many, had been more than limited at, and that
visions of possible territorial advantages to
to France may have been held out to the Emperor,
and entertained by him, in case Prussia was left
free 10 pursue her own course without interruption
To reasons sucn as these, 1t is imagined, may in
great measure be ascribed the quiescent attitude
taken by the Imperial Government in this ques-
uon."
The official utterances of the Emperor
through his ambassador in London, offer the
following justification of his conduct
"The Emperor has always been disposed to pay
great regard to the feelings and aspirations OF
tOnalties IL is not to be denied that the national
feelings and aspirations of Germany tend to closer
connection with the Germans OF Holstein and of
Schleswig. The Emperor would feel rePugnance TO
any course which should bind him to oppose In arms
the wishes OF Germany. 1t may be comparatively
easy for England to carry on a war which can never
go beyond maritime operations of blockade and cap
from each other. But the soil Of Germany touches
the soil OF France, and war between France and
Germany would be one OF the most burdensome and
one OF the most hazardous in which the French EN-
pire could engage"
This passage must possess a mournfuI sig
nifcance for the French at the present mo-
ment. The insincerity and dishonesty of the
German sovereigns-for they must all share
the guilt, though by a fitting retribution
they shared none of the profits, of the spo-
iation of Denmark-are clearly indicated in
the pages of the work before us. BY means
Of the opening given by Holstein, they de-
termined and contrived to bring Schleswie
within the ac0na 0f THAR onarafi0nS