New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-15

seemed plain: and Bismarck was not Yet IN a
position to defy her, as he did four years later.
Not that really there much ground for fear
in 1866. Napoleon had caused inquiries to be
made as to the military state Of the Empire, and
had learned that nothing was ready for war, or
nearly ready. There was a great deficiency Of
horses, both for the artillery and the transport
service. The reorganization OF the army was in
progress, and there was much confusion. Lastly,
the manufacture of the new ChasSepot rifles had
| not proceeded far enough for the troops 10 be
armed with the new weapon. So. though NGpo-
leon knew that in the highly probable event Of
a Prussian refusal Of his indemnity proposition
he would have to back down, he nevertheless
resolved TO put it forward, perhaps thinking that
If the demand bold and extensive at least
a part of it might be conceded. Yet he showed
great vaciaton throughout this episode. At
first he requested only a thin strip of German
soil, but this proposal peremptorily rejected
by Bismarck. Then he drew back, and observed,
in the spirit Of Mr. Toots. that it was of DO con-
sequence Then, after the ratification of peace
between Prussia and Austria, he struck holder
note and demanded the ccsson of all the territory
| taken from France under the treaty OF 1914
bismarck had had some apprehension of Russo
French alliance. but having learned in an un-
official way from Gortchalyof that no obstruction
would be offered by st. Petersburg TO an attack
on France, the German statesman felt easier In his
mind. He had certainly desire to fight France,
but it was great relief to know that if this be-
came inevitable he would not have Russia on his
back. The state of the French army however,
settled the matter. All the demands for indem-
nifty coming from Paris were really what an Amer
lean would call bluffs" They were tentative
only, though it was possible that when the army
had been brought to real or fanced condition
OF efficiency other councils might preyail-as in
effect they did. But after much close diplomatic
sailing the Threatened troubles from without
seemed to have passed away. and Prussia could
turn 10 the great problems of internal reconstruc-
tlon winch were next in order. Koniggratz hal
done good service at home as well as abroad 1t will
be remembered that before the war with Austria
broke out the Prussian Lower House had refused
to vote the budget because it did not believe in the
new military system, and that the Government
had since been carried on without legal sanction.
Now King William proposed to introduce Bill
of Indemnity 10 the House. not confession of
wrongdong, but in order TO regain the solid ground
of constitutional law. This was done, and proved
sagacious measure. The results of the war
had fully vindcated the new army Organiza-
ton, and there was no longer any reluctance TO
vote the budget. The King, too. had become ey-
tremely popular and the patriotism Of Parliament
had been worked to a high pitch
The Kings speech, in which he assured Parlia-
ment that the late awkward financial situation
should never happen again, removed entirely the
fear which had been entertained lest the great
increase of the Governments powers through the
war might lead 10 the reputation of the consti
tuition and the restoration of absolution. Then.
all really formidable difficulties being overcome
the Government and the representatives Of the
people could 90 forward in concert 10 deal with !
those measures which were best calculated To |
consolidate the unity Of Germany. The close of
the Austrian war was indeed the beginning Of the |
founding of the German Umpire. !; secured the |
preponderance of Prussia the unilication Of North
Germany, and brought nearer the adhesion of
South Germany, which was soon TO he ac-
complished by the aid Of Napoleon. The his |
torical work in which Sybel has told the story |
of this important period is Of the greatest interest
and written in the most exhaustive and thorough |
going way. III is TO he regretted. however, that |
the translation is careless and faulty. The |
present volume indeed contains more blundefs and |
clumsy TRANSACTIONS than either of the preceding |
ones, and sometimes the tex is scarcely integi |
be 1t must also he said that the maps inserted |
are crude and defective and Of little help TO the |
reader These however, not the fault Of the |
historian Whatever he undertook TO do he has
done well.