New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-11
FOREIGN LITERATURE.

| FRIEDRICH KAPP'S HISTORY OF TIE SALE or MER-
CENARIEs DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Il STATEMENT OF GERMAN POLICY IN REGARD
TO TIE DUTIES OF NEUTRAL GOVERNMENTS.
PROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE rRIBUSE.l
BERLIN, April 22.-Friedrich Kapp has just
published a and enlarged edition OF his book Der
Soldaterhande Deutscher Firsen Mach Amerika." The
work first appeared about ten years ago, when the
author living In NewYOrk, in circumstances which,
as lie frankly hints IN the dedication, did not give HIM
the desirable access 70 German archives, while the
epoch also too carly for drawing pleasant moral
from the melancholy story The in soldiers
carried by petty German princes in the
last century was, in DR.. Kapp's opinion, SUI
perinduccd, not by national but by politi-
cal Generalization, at least national degradation
the result of political Generalization; not popular
depravity but KleiaStaatersi The little rulers were
equally poor in moral scnsbltes and fiscal resources
Their treasures were as empty as heads; and
they absolute rulers yet destitute at OF power
and responsibility in respect to outward relations they
resigned themselves to tie mere qualification of sensual
passions. Dr. Kapps introductory chapters the social
condition Of Germany from the Thirty Years War 10 the
French Revolution, well the deductions which he
draws therefrom correct and reasonable bat there
one curious fact which bears but contradict
his theories TO be found the hstoryof Switzerland.
The trade in mcrcenaries was carried on longer and
more systematically by the Alpine Republic than by any
other Of modern Europe. But It does not seem to
the result OF 10 nave leu any GcCp
morazatl0n OF the national character. On the contrary,
Switzerland was respected abroad and uncorTupcd az
home at certain periods active trade in sol
diers. That it is true, at earlier date before
public opinion had affixed such stigma TO the traffic,
and when political considerations often leda weak state
TO hire its soldiers form OF alliance with power
ful neighbor.
The picture OF the petty German courts which DR.
Kapp draws has qualifying lines OF this Sort or in
deed any The transfer Of soldiers to the service
OF England purely fiscal measure, intended TO re-
penish treasures which royal proniglcy had emptcd
The ruler of half million souls could not support his
msresses and his and bis theaters the petty
income OF his kingdom; and the tastes which
him poor made him also shameless he farmed out
his bataions without scruqc. The book fun OF
dOtes illustrative OF the state Of morals at these petty
courts. The Duke of brunswick, for instance paid
Italian adventurer director his opera yearly $1,000
thalers. aud Leasing then Librarian at Woenbuttel 800
thaers though It that this latter after
wards munlfcently raised to 500 thalers. Brunswick
the rst court to which King George III applied for
soldiers The Intermediary in all this work CO..
william Faucitt English officer VINO had taken part
in the Seven Years War and well acquainted
with German relations. He actively assisted
with hints AMI advice by Sir Joseph YOrke,
his Maiesty's Embassador at the Hague, and
the Kings minister, Lord Suffolk. The Colonel
made the tour OF the small Sta'cs and By bTibng
istors and favorites and ltteng Princes he managed
TO get soldiers nearly everywhere HesscCasse whittier
Faucitt went from Brunswick, had passed the period
during which soldiers sold ont of need and had the
business systematized that regular income the
result The LandGrave musical devout and gallant.
and squandered his funds chiefly opera churches.
and French mistresses He enjoyed the honor parent
age TO more than fvescOre ilegtimate children These
specimens may for the wbolc. II is sufficient
cav that DR.. Kapp. himself German, draws very
realistic picture Of his ancestors, and makes by the
PRODUCTION Of quantity Of social aud court gossip
a remarkably interesting and readable book.
In the RecUe de DTOn International published at
Client by NJ Roin-Jacquemyns, is an interesting arti-
Gle entitled Les DecOS daH G0nrernomed Neare. Herr
Kusscrow. the author, IL a German dipomatst OF
large experience at Paris, Washington. &C. and lie is
now Councillor in the Imperial Chancery here; hence
Ipresume 1t would be proper to say that the article
represents the views OF the German Foreign Office
Certain statements made by the author may gardod
revelations, and very important ones Surprise has
often been expressed land once or twice uues,iops
have been asked IN the English Parliament on the sub
iect that the two parties the Treaty OF Washington
have not carried out that stipulation in regard recon-
meudng the Three Rules 10 other Powers The delay
generally beef attributed TO want of agreement about
the Interpretation Of the same Herr Won Ksserow sup
plies a new theory He presents evidence that Prince
Bismarck being sounded the subject, declined to
cent the rules unless England and America would
same time agree fOrbiddng henceforth the sale
of arms by neutral 10 a belligercn The negotiations
closed once and, as the author thinks, because In
gland and America came 10 tdc!t agreement 10 let the
matter drop rather than agl'c the "dccatc" question
Of the sale Of arms Herr Ksser0w then enters
a history Of THE so-caed "decac gu ,t.oa," and he
explains why the protest made 10 England 1910
not also made the Ua.ted States, via,
because there existing treaty OF
1928 between the United states AMI Prussia
which expressly SANCTIONED su,h ranl II IS hinted
that the Prussian Government will denoince The
treaty which, according to lis terms, ends in
wear from the date OF notification by either power Tnc
case between the two states. then STANDS !Ae