The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-24

pirc was founded by the treaties made after the
battle Of Sadown, in tho autumn OF 1866. 1t is
true enough that the ground was cleared. and
that a massive foundation was then laid. There
remained. however. tine task Of raising upon 1t
the imperial cdifice. In connection with this
task were presented numerous problems, the
solution OF which required the exercise of tho
most skilled diplomacy. 1t was the four sue.
ceeding years that afforded the largest opportu.
mites for the display of Bismarck's statecraft.
Among the questions which required i'm.
mediate attention were the reorganization
OF Prussia consequent upon its recent
great annexations. and tho adjustment Of
Its relations not only with the other
members Of the North German Confederation,
but also with tho South German States. The
European situation was of n nature to warn
Prussia to maintain an attitude of systematic
cautiousness and yet OF unfinching decision. An
examination OF 1.-THE temper and aspirations ofthe
other great powers disclosed many threatening
elements. Austria, indeed, weakened by her
internal troubles. even more than by the results
OF her late defeat. was not to he feared for q
year or two. The Gar, however. notwithstand.
ing the traditional friendship Of the Ronanotfs
and Hohcnzollerns, had viewed with dis.
pleasure the overthrow of three German
dynasties, and 1t was evident that n
vigorous reorganization Of Germany would
not meet with favor in Russian political
circles. In England. on the other hand. after
much vacillation. public opinion had hailed
with unbounded enthusiasm the victories Of the
Prussian arms. 1t was recognized Mt Berlin.
nevertheless. that, in case ofnew conflicts on the
Continent, England would aid none OF the con-
tonding parties. but would assure each and all
of its complete neutrality. Finally, with regard
to Italy. it was undoubtedly Prussia tina. had
placed Venetia in the grasp Of Victor Emmanuel.
Rnt In the cDdn Of Nations n debt of gratitude
lesscning, as it does. the national glory, is more
likely to cause secret enmity than enduring
friendship. There was in this instance the adj
ditional circumstance that Venetia by no means
represented the limit of Italian aspirations, and
that. for the fulfllment of her supreme desire
the possession Of Rome-the Italian Kingdom had
to look to the favor OF France. 1t was therefore
probable that, in spite OF the alliance of 1866.
Italy would combine with France against Ger
many, il, 10 return, Rome could be gained.
Evidently Prussia's immediate position in
European affairs was dependent upon the ques-
ton whether an understanding with Napoleon
III. could be reached. 1t was known that, in
Paris. various parties were contending for as
cendancy over the irresolute Emperor; and that
France was still backward in the equipment of
her army; but that, on the other hand, the ma.
tional vanity had been greatly offended by Prus-
sian successes. No one conversant with the
ieenhe ol inc french people after Sadowa
would nave onered a guarantee against a sud
aen outbreak. Uncomfortable to Frenchmen was
the thought that France no longer exercised
paramount control of European affairs. but was
Obliged to tolerate on her frontiers a neigh
Dor or equal power. Thus, in many thou
sana hearts' III VIII was fostered against the
newt! constructed North herman Confedera-
tlon, though' as yet, IL extended no further than
the ilver Main. How much hostility might not
DO expected when the German nations desire
ior ehtire unity should break through all re-
stralnt' ana the northern and southern States
snouio coalesce In a single empire! In the
autumn Oh leoo' however, the onsummatio OF
sucn hopes seemed sun tar Instant, owing TO the
iukewarm attitude OF the four southern States.
aithoueh. uhaer the stlmuius OF the lately won
RUSSIAN trlumphs' the desire Tor nationality
h"u aequireo' LOT d Time, ascehuahcy' vet, on the
return OF peace. and with the subsistence of the
9ou'h "er"ah peoples INTO former haoits, the
Ola sentiments had reasserted themselves, and.
WIN theih' inc prenispositlon toward particu-
iarism ana inc dislike OF Prussia. On the one
hahd' the oltramontanes OF Bavaria COM
piaihed OF the expulsion OF Catholic Austria
ana the consequent announcement OF the
herman fatherland, while. on the other
nHhu' IN S"aoia were heard anew the
democratic "atchwords or ls49. Prussian
tyranny WINS loudly stigtnatized for having do
prived the people OF schleswig- Holstcin and
hanover OF the privilege OF deciding. by free
vote lhelr political future. Whether, indeed.
the southern Confederation. foreshadowed in
the treaty OF Prague, would be contaminated or
mol was a question upon which public opinion
uiHercd widely; all the more unanimous was the
sentiment against union with the North German
confederation whose promises OF personal free
dom rev south Germans were inclined to trust.
Neither was the hostility to Prussia due wholly
10 clericai or radical conditions. Entirely aside
rom reiigious or political questions. the Prus-
binh' ana especially the Berliner. considered
inc epitome OF all that was most Prussian. was
NJ that time thoroughly distasteful to the
baVarians ana swabians. AS the Germans are
now looked upon III Europe. so were the Prus-
SLAMS then looked upon In Germany They had
compelled me respect OF oil, but OF friendship
there were no symptoms. In personal inter.
oourse the inhabitants OF bavaria, for example.
were necessarily offended by tho wholly differ
ont social manners OF the north Germans. which
fhey attributed to an insufcrable haughtiness.