New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-09

minor governments: As for the admission OF any
popular element into The federation system nc
was unalcrably opposed TO IL HIS OeiIci was
the old one q at kings and princes alone mad any
rights in relation 10 the government OF "crih"IE'
and that all the lesser States should be subordinate
10 the two GREAT Powers, while of these great
Powers Austria must I've recognized as the hTSt IN
his concessions 10 Prussia, moreover, he only tenn
poraed awaiting an opportunity to dctach nlS
rival from the alliance with the lesser States, ami
hoping in good time to destroy her power and thus
make Austria the sole and undisputcd mistress OF
Germany. With these ends in view Schwarzen-
lserg PLAYED with the Frankfort Assembly. lie
was to nse an expression Of tho priZc-rlng, only
"SparrinG for time" While the Revolution APP
peared formidable he vas willing TO recognize the
authority of the National Assembly. When that
body appointed an Austrian archduke Imperial Re
gent the Minister acquiesced. But when it proceeded
TO nominate the King of Prussia Emperor of Ger
many he decided that the farce had gone far
enough, and throwing OF the mask he entered
upon an active campaign against Prussian pre-
tensions,
The incidence of the SchcSwig -Holstcin war
upon German national politics was important and
far-reaching. Among other things it threatened
to involve Prussia in difficulties with Rus
Denmark under certain contingencies. Nicholas
had viewed with strong disfavor Frederick Will
Jams concessions 10 the Revolution. lie believed
that he himself was providenally in
vested with the maintenance of absolutsm and
the protection Of that principle in Europe. Thus
he FASTENED TO the support of Austria with his
battaons when the IIungarians had defeated
the Imperial forces, and he was prepared TO march
10 the assistance Of thc King If Denmark if in his
view the latter was treated unfairly by the Their
Powers. Both Austria and Prussia found it ncccS-
saly 10 sue for the favor Of the Gar, and when
at critical iuncturc the Prince of Prussia was
sent 10 plead personally with Nicholas on he
half of his country. Prince Schwarzcnberg has
tened to follow the example himself and 10
counterfeit il possible the designs Of his rival.
Prussia had no diplomatist At to enter the lists
with Felix Schwarzcnberg, and moreover, the
Prussiau Ministry Handicapped by the Kings
fanciful and chanCcable ideas. Again and again
nc caused the abortion of plans which might have
resulted benefcally, by taxing the intiatiyc mt
Of the hands of his agents and reversing their
policy. His attitude toward the Frankfort As
sembly was cNasporatinely ndeciSivc. One day
he was TOR accepting its work. and the NEXT for
rejecting everything. Bat tire Vaccinations of
Austria and the collapse of the Revolution settled
the question without his agency. The Assembly
had made and adopted constitution which no.
body was willing 70 accept. Austria had with.
drawn her recognition and representatives from
the body and had persuaded number Of the
lesser states 10 follow suit TIE whole action
of the Assembly wos plainly nullifcd and it was
itself dead.
Then Frederick William. still bent upon his
faVorlte scheme of German unity. undertook 10
form Federal Union with the lesser and petty
States. uot o,or,, .If
and with characteristic audaoty and Inscriptions
ness he proposed 10 revive the Confederate Diet
long since dead and buried. and which could not
be lcGitimatcly rcsurrcctcd The plan was a
promising one. Schwarzcnbcrg by il struck Al
the very heart of the Prussan operations he
at once secured discord and division among the
lesser States and a strong party for Austria /
Frederick Williams cherished idea of a union |
was disspated by the revival Of tho Confederate
Diet. and the power and prestige Of Prussia Were
threatened in direct manner by Schwarzcrbors'S |
scheme. for he gave il out that every German State
would be subject to the DEGREES Of the Diet |
whether represented in it or not, and he Inenaoed
with severe punishment any State or Kingdom |
refusing TO submit 10 those DEGREES In effect
this was To give Prussia the alternative Of dcga
daton or war; and Prussia knew that war with |
Austria would probably mean Wnr with Russia !
also. frmer ruler than Frcdcrici william |
might have Checkmated Schwar2cnlcrg as Won |
Sybel points out. But Frederick William could !
only be goaded to rcsolutc action hy some gross /
insult or some irdgbitablc tlcachcry In spite Of
everything he continued to hope for honorable |
alliance and cooperation with Austria and At the
same time he chung 10 his plan of union with |
the lesser States.
The time was approaching when Austria would |
not be content with diplomatic triumphs when |
She would think herself strong enough n trv |
the arbitrsment Of the sword, conf lent in her |
power 10 crush Prussan arrogance and pTpsunp- |
ton. Before that hour struck new man was |
however, IL come upon the field: a man more !
than match for the craftiest Austrian statesman,
and who knew how to prepare his country for |
the fiery ordeal which be saw was inevitable /
no matter how often il might he postponed. We |
catch glimpse Of this new man, Herr Won Bis |
marck-Sch0nhausen, for moment III this volume. |
lie is trying 10 insti courage int0'his vaciatns /
master, but for the time he lahors to no purpose |
We Shall sec much Of him hereafter, and he viii |
grow upon us and upon the age. Just now Won |
Sybel leaves in the stress of the HcSsc difficulty,
when Frederick William, first by his vaciaton |
and second by his rashncss. had brought Prussia |
to the brink of war, without the satisfaction of an
unimpcachablc cause and under general condi- |
lions which presaged ill-fortunc and possibly great
humiliation