The Sun

Aggressive Policy of Prussia.

The acquisition of the Schleswig-Holstein Duchies by the Germans has, so far, produced effects precisely the reverse of those that had been anticipated previous to the war. Instead of increasing the unity that is the cherished dream of German ambition, that event has apparently added a new bone of contention to the discordant elements already existing in that country. The thirty-six independent States which compose the Vaterland are now agitated by the most opposite feelings and interests, to a degree that almost precludes the hope of reducing order out of chaos—during the present generation at least. The smaller States are alarmed and jealous at the threatened absorption of the Danish Duchies by Austria and Prussia, while these powers practically ignore the right of the weaker members of the Confederacy to exercise a voice in the disposition of the conquered provinces. Intrigues and counter-plots are the natural result of this condition of affairs, but it is evident that the smaller powers are being gradually pressed to the wall by the aggressive policy of Prussia under the vigorous aid of Bismarck's management of Count Bismarck. The latter is pursuing a course that astonishes all Europe. He has extorted a surrender of the Duchies of Holstein-Schleswig and Lauenberg from Denmark without guarantee as to their future disposition. Prussia may now annex the conquered provinces, or turn them over to the Confederation without violating any express compact. That the latter course will not be carried out is abundantly evident. Prussia is easily adopting measures that indicate a foregone conclusion to monopolize at least the lion's share of the Danish spoils. The great strategic points of Kiel and Rendsburg have been seized by Prussian soldiers, and the preparations under the auspices of Prussian engineers for connecting the Baltic with the North Sea, by means of a ship canal across the peninsula of Holstein, indicate a settled purpose on the part of Prussia not to relinquish the Duchies either to the Confederation or to independent rulers. The construction of the proposed ship canal, though it might rebound to the immediate aggrandizement of the Prussian monarchy, would prove a permanent advantage to the German people, and profitable to foreign nations. It would break down one of the strongest barriers that have ever been created by the selfish policy of the petty German princes against the advancement of their subjects and open to the commerce of the world, the manufactures and vast agricultural products of Germany and Northern Europe, which have hitherto been almost hermetically sealed up. In view of the immense advantages that would secure to the Prussian Monarchy from the permanent acquisition of the Duchies lately wrested from Denmark and the execution of the ship canal, the rumored offer of Count Bismarck to the Austrian Court, to the effect that Prussia and Austria should divide Germany between them, is not so improbable as would at first appear. In execution, however, is extremely doubtful owing to the conflicting interests and jealousies of the European governments. The German people might be obliged to see their petty princes extinguished, although they would probably object to being bought and sold by Bismarck, the Hapsburgs, and Louis Napoleon. But, M. Bismarck is a person that cares but little for the opinions of those whom he can crush. He recognizes no words that are not backed by force. He has always displayed an equal degree of contempt for the minor German princes and for Democracy, and would have little hesitation in sacrificing either, or both, if they stood in the way of his desires. He will propitiate France because that power is necessary to him. Hence, the rumor that his grand plan of the division of the German empire between Austria and Prussia, with the lion's share to the latter, is to be purchased by the cession of the Rhenish provinces to France, is probably correct.