Year: 1866




The Impe ndung strusgIe An Europe--rhe
Proposed Congress. --slt va
/ The arrival Of the Hermann with three days
later newswould, it was supposed, have brought
us something decisive as TO the prospects Of
peace or war at the other side Instead Of that
we find matters in pretty nearly the same state
of suspense in which they previously stood.
The attitude Of the different Powers involved
in the quarrel continues to be that of active
preparation. Among other things it is stated
that arrangements are being made at Ancona
for the reception of a feet offorty ships of war
which are expected at that port.
Taking the general complexion Of the news,
however, it would seem to be rather more
favorable to the interests Of peace. The ap-
preaching elections in Prussia may exercise
some influence on the reckless course of Count
Bismark, and we find that anticipat on
strengthened by the fact that at congress of
German Deputies held at Frankfort on May 20
a resolution was adopted condemning war,
and declaring guilty Of grave crimes towards
the nation those who might contribute to bring
about one. The resolution furthermore states
that q solution of the federal constitutional
question can alone prevent the recurrence of
such dangers, and it calls upon the Chambers
and the German nation generally to require the
speedy convocation of German Parliament on
the basis of the Electoral law of l849. All this
is significant and may tend to check the war
like disposition of both Prussia and Austria.
But it must not be forgotten that Italy is also
party involved, and that all her passions and
interests urge her on to the precipitation Of
hostilities. Her government has gone too far
to recede without the full attainment Of the OBJ
jects for which it has armed, and 1t canno. re-
strain her people il 1t would. AS an evidence
of the obstacles which this view Of the case pre-
sents to peaceable ISOLATION of the question,
we have 1t stated by the Florence journals that
in no event is it admissible that European
guarantee shall be given for the maintenance
Of the temporal power of the Pope Nothing
is said about Venice. for the very su1i-
cient reason that the Italians have made
up their minds that its cession to them, by pur-
chase or otherwise, must be the sine qua non Of
their consenting to the proposed congress


In the meanwhile we have it authoritativeiy
stated that the invitations for this diplomatic
conv0cation have been issued. II Is proposed
TO hold it in Paris, and England, France and
Russia are the inviting parties. The Constitu-
tionnel says that these courts seek conditions of
agreement in territorial compensation, which
would offer indcmRities and satisfaction to the
claims of Prussia, Austria and Italy. Is any
one simple enough to suppose that the media
ting Powers will seek no advantages for them
selves in this accommodation Of interests! The
whole scheme Is in fact simply a re-enactment
Of the political game played in 1915, with this
exception, that France now holds the trump
cards in her hands. That Napoleon will play
wrongs and to the benefit Of France no one
can doubt The quarrel has from the begin
ming been manipulated to this end. The EN-
peror's speech at Auxerre is evidence enough
Of the fact But the question IL whether, ap-
preciating his modves, the Austrian and Prus-
sian governments will not prefer trusting their
dispute 10 the issue of war, rather than to the
chances Of . spoliation Of their own territory
by diplomatic arrangement. On this turns
the whole issue at present Our own view Is,
and We shall be surprised II the course Of Aus
tr,a and Prussia does not sustain it, that It will
be better for them to trust to the fortunes Of
war than to the tender mercies of an arbiter
whose memory Is vindictive, and who is intent
on securing the lions share in his division Of
the spoils