T IERE is very little as yet known about the Conference,
the German language and education upon the Danes, and except that Lord Russell presides over its deliberations, finally, full compensation for the losses of the war to be and that one meeting has at least taken place without conclud- paid to the robbers by the robbed. This last point is pro- lag an armistice,—the hitch being according to one rather bably the only margin on which the Germans intend to admit apocryphal version that the German pleuipotentiarics were any discussion. It is always well for the strong evildoer to empty instead of full of power, and declared their incompet- have some claim more monstrous even than any other which enee to discuss so novel a question as an armistice; according he may make a flourish about conceding, and as M. Von the German plenipotentiaries considered that the principle promised plunder Prussia and Austria make a merit of not of an armistice should be for the German Powers to keep taking, perhaps they may seek to take credit to themselves all the advantages they had by land, but for Denmark to with the other Powers for declining payment from Denmark surrender at once her advantage by sea and raise the blockade. for their generous services in her interest. But, except on But, whatever the truth may be, no doubt the proceedings this point, we do not see the room for discussion unless a began, as every one expected they would begin, by a pre- threat is known to lurk behind the appearance of argument. liminary key-note of arrogance from Germany. Denmark Prussia and Austria have no vestige of a case—beyond the being " down," the first step of the German diplomatists right of conquest or a problematical popular vote—for what would, of course, be to mark their drift, by insisting that is now proposed ; and we doubt whether any Power present Denmark shall be depressed somewhat lower before the in the Conference except France would look with the slightest talk begins. To meet on equal terms at first would be to favour on the principle of voting away States by universal drop half the advantages of the fall of Diippel, and to lose suffrage. At the same time we do not see how they can the chance of giving the tone to the Conference. It was remit anything material of this demand, if they are bent, as necessary to prove at once that Denmark is there to suppli- they are, on satisfying the German cry which is represented eate, Germany to dictate. No doubt Lord Clarendon, if he by M. Von Beast. In such a situation as this, how dialectics should be disposed in this Conference to propose any eompli- are expected to do anything we have not the slightest idea. mentary gagging of the press of small States to gratify a more If there is any lingering notion of employing force behind. powerful neighbour, would be sure to fix on the press of Copen- the dialectics, we think it is a pity to drop the veil over hagen, since the press of the German States, though very revo- it. The Conference may be intended, perhaps, as a mode lutionary with regard to Denmark, is already closely gagged in of extinguishing all hope in Denmark of aid from without; relation to any monarch of sufficient moment to take into ac- but how it can change opinions which are not formed with count ;—but the Germans felt it was well, nevertheless, to in- any reference to facts, but only to political necessities, it is dicate decisively from the first the only quarter in which pres- next to impossible to see.
sure could be conveniently applied. And at present all we know For ourselves we entertain no hope at all that the English is that this has been effectively done. The key-note has been statesmen have any idea of going to war so long as they are struck ; and if the Conference comes to any pacific conclusion not forced to abandon that phantom of thought called " iii tog- at all, every one knows where all the concession must be rity of the Danish kingdom." The Germans are prepared squeezed out. The Germans are not squeezable. Prussia to concede everything necessary for the name, though nothing indeed, who if she cannot annex Schleswig cares nothing necessary for the thing. They wish to carve out of the pre- about the rights of the people, and if she could only get a sent dominions of Denmark a strong and independent German reactionary Government at Copenhagen would, as Von Bis- State, exceedingly hostile to Danish rule, garrisoned by Ger- mark declared to Lord Wodehouse, be perfectly satisfied,— man soldiers, ruled in effect from Frankfort, not from Copen- might yield again as she did in 1852; but then there is M. hagen, certain to be a powerful ally for Germany against Von Beust to look after the greater German plenipotentiaries, Denmark in the quarrel which will spring up in the next and the popular enthusiasm for the glorious victory of Diippel ten years about the poor little remaining bit of the peninsula, is too strong to admit of setting him at defiance. Austria, Jutland, and for no conceivable end any help to Denmark, too, who according to Count Rechberg has done everything, except in swelling the civil list which it would, at least from moving the Diet to execution in Holstein to occupy- at first, vote to the King even if Denmark had to go to war ing Schleswig, tearing down the emblems of Danish royalty, against any other Power than Germany, say in conjunc- and forbidding prayers for the King of Denmark in the tion with Scandinavia against Russian aggression, what use churches, out of pure regard "for the interests of Denmark," would Schleswig-Holstein ruled from Frankfort be to might perhaps be got to consider that the new common con- her ? Russia would be unlike herself indeed, if she had stitution for Schleswig and Denmark is at least a much less not secured the full influence of Prussia, and half a dozen startling innovation on the ancient rights of the German small German States, and perhaps Austria as well, before. Schleswigers than is the new common constitution for Hun- she ventured on an attack on Scandinavia. And in such a gary and the German provinces of Austria on the ancient condition of things who does not see that Denmark's worst rights of the Magyars,—but then the very fact that she cannot danger would be Schleswig-Holstein, always ready for mis- make up matters in Hungary makes Herr Von Biegeleben and chief against what they would consider an alien ruler, and Count Apponyi even more afraid of sitting on the only safety- excited thereto by Russian money and intrigue? It is certain valve for the popular feeling of Germany than Count Bernstorff that if our statesmen care for anything more than the name and Privy Councillor Balan, who can better afford to outrage a "integrity of the Danish kingdom" they had better by far mere popular cry. On the whole, H. Von Beust, though he strip Denmark wholly of Schleswig and Holstein, than im- represents no military power of any consequence, holds the port an element of disturbance into the Danish counsels, and key of the German position in the Conference, and will not a fresh element of hostility into the feelings of the Hol- be sorry for personal reasons to make the noble chair- steiners, by insisting on the shadow when the substance is man expiate that contemptuous little note on the conduct gone. If all this parade and delay is to issue in nothing of the Saxon troops in Holstein, which irritated him so but coaxing Denmark into accepting peaceably terms which keenly in the midst of his New Year festivities. On the whole, she can no longer resist, —if England is to have the it seems pretty clear that if there is no party to the Con- credit of procuring for her, as an act of grace, the worst ference, except Denmark and Sweden, which contem- that could be wrested from her by physical force,—if Eng- plates the use of force to prevent the virtual absorption land is to obtain for her the boon of paying only half corn- of Schleswig into Germany, the current of concession must pensation, or of having only three-quarters of the German all ran, and run very strong, in one direction ; and the thing garrison in Rendsburg that had been first suggested, or of would have been better done by conquest without conference, holding a veto on the Federal officer appointed to command If England, with or without France, is prepared to say the garrison, or of having the right to plead in Danish "Take less than this, or we shall go to war," there may be accorded to the Schleswig barristers on condition that the some chance ; but to any other argument it is obvious enough judge is German, or of getting the Danish currency admitted that the German plenipotentiaries will be simply imper- as legal tender in Schleswig-Holstein, or of putting back the vious. Flensburg monument over the Danes killed in the last war We said virtual absorption of Schleswig into Germany, which the Germans have so brutally desecrated and destroyed, because every one now knows how Austria and Prussia —or any other equally important concession,—we think the hope to effect it consistently with the magic formula, "in- Conference will be felt to be a disgrace to England and an in- tegrity of the Danish kingdom." The German demand, it suit to Denmark. And if we are really to make a stand at is said, is the admission of Schleswig into the German Diet, TOPICS OF THE DAY. an administrative and legislative nexus between Schleswig and Holstein, a permanent German Federal garrison in THE CONFERENCE —CU' BONO ? Rendsburg to protect the Germans in their right to force TIERE is very little as yet known about the Conference, the German language and education upon the Danes, and except that Lord Russell presides over its deliberations, finally, full compensation for the losses of the war to be and that one meeting has at least taken place without conclud- paid to the robbers by the robbed. This last point is pro- lag an armistice,—the hitch being according to one rather bably the only margin on which the Germans intend to admit apocryphal version that the German pleuipotentiarics were any discussion. It is always well for the strong evildoer to empty instead of full of power, and declared their incompet- have some claim more monstrous even than any other which enee to discuss so novel a question as an armistice; according he may make a flourish about conceding, and as M. Von to another account, which looks rather more like truth, that Beust and the German enthusiasts will not care how much the German plenipotentiaries considered that the principle promised plunder Prussia and Austria make a merit of not of an armistice should be for the German Powers to keep taking, perhaps they may seek to take credit to themselves all the advantages they had by land, but for Denmark to with the other Powers for declining payment from Denmark surrender at once her advantage by sea and raise the blockade. for their generous services in her interest. But, except on But, whatever the truth may be, no doubt the proceedings this point, we do not see the room for discussion unless a began, as every one expected they would begin, by a pre- threat is known to lurk behind the appearance of argument. liminary key-note of arrogance from Germany. Denmark Prussia and Austria have no vestige of a case—beyond the being " down," the first step of the German diplomatists right of conquest or a problematical popular vote—for what would, of course, be to mark their drift, by insisting that is now proposed ; and we doubt whether any Power present Denmark shall be depressed somewhat lower before the in the Conference except France would look with the slightest talk begins. To meet on equal terms at first would be to favour on the principle of voting away States by universal drop half the advantages of the fall of Diippel, and to lose suffrage. At the same time we do not see how they can the chance of giving the tone to the Conference. It was remit anything material of this demand, if they are bent, as necessary to prove at once that Denmark is there to suppli- they are, on satisfying the German cry which is represented eate, Germany to dictate. No doubt Lord Clarendon, if he by M. Von Beast. In such a situation as this, how dialectics should be disposed in this Conference to propose any eompli- are expected to do anything we have not the slightest idea. mentary gagging of the press of small States to gratify a more If there is any lingering notion of employing force behind. powerful neighbour, would be sure to fix on the press of Copen- the dialectics, we think it is a pity to drop the veil over hagen, since the press of the German States, though very revo- it. The Conference may be intended, perhaps, as a mode lutionary with regard to Denmark, is already closely gagged in of extinguishing all hope in Denmark of aid from without; relation to any monarch of sufficient moment to take into ac- but how it can change opinions which are not formed with count ;—but the Germans felt it was well, nevertheless, to in- any reference to facts, but only to political necessities, it is dicate decisively from the first the only quarter in which pres- next to impossible to see.
sure could be conveniently applied. And at present all we know For ourselves we entertain no hope at all that the English is that this has been effectively done. The key-note has been statesmen have any idea of going to war so long as they are struck ; and if the Conference comes to any pacific conclusion not forced to abandon that phantom of thought called " iii tog- at all, every one knows where all the concession must be rity of the Danish kingdom." The Germans are prepared squeezed out. The Germans are not squeezable. Prussia to concede everything necessary for the name, though nothing indeed, who if she cannot annex Schleswig cares nothing necessary for the thing. They wish to carve out of the pre- about the rights of the people, and if she could only get a sent dominions of Denmark a strong and independent German reactionary Government at Copenhagen would, as Von Bis- State, exceedingly hostile to Danish rule, garrisoned by Ger- mark declared to Lord Wodehouse, be perfectly satisfied,— man soldiers, ruled in effect from Frankfort, not from Copen- might yield again as she did in 1852; but then there is M. hagen, certain to be a powerful ally for Germany against Von Beust to look after the greater German plenipotentiaries, Denmark in the quarrel which will spring up in the next and the popular enthusiasm for the glorious victory of Diippel ten years about the poor little remaining bit of the peninsula, is too strong to admit of setting him at defiance. Austria, Jutland, and for no conceivable end any help to Denmark, too, who according to Count Rechberg has done everything, except in swelling the civil list which it would, at least from moving the Diet to execution in Holstein to occupy- at first, vote to the King even if Denmark had to go to war ing Schleswig, tearing down the emblems of Danish royalty, against any other Power than Germany, say in conjunc- and forbidding prayers for the King of Denmark in the tion with Scandinavia against Russian aggression, what use churches, out of pure regard "for the interests of Denmark," would Schleswig-Holstein ruled from Frankfort be to might perhaps be got to consider that the new common con- her ? Russia would be unlike herself indeed, if she had stitution for Schleswig and Denmark is at least a much less not secured the full influence of Prussia, and half a dozen startling innovation on the ancient rights of the German small German States, and perhaps Austria as well, before. Schleswigers than is the new common constitution for Hun- she ventured on an attack on Scandinavia. And in such a gary and the German provinces of Austria on the ancient condition of things who does not see that Denmark's worst rights of the Magyars,—but then the very fact that she cannot danger would be Schleswig-Holstein, always ready for mis- make up matters in Hungary makes Herr Von Biegeleben and chief against what they would consider an alien ruler, and Count Apponyi even more afraid of sitting on the only safety- excited thereto by Russian money and intrigue? It is certain valve for the popular feeling of Germany than Count Bernstorff that if our statesmen care for anything more than the name and Privy Councillor Balan, who can better afford to outrage a "integrity of the Danish kingdom" they had better by far mere popular cry. On the whole, H. Von Beust, though he strip Denmark wholly of Schleswig and Holstein, than im- represents no military power of any consequence, holds the port an element of disturbance into the Danish counsels, and key of the German position in the Conference, and will not a fresh element of hostility into the feelings of the Hol- be sorry for personal reasons to make the noble chair- steiners, by insisting on the shadow when the substance is man expiate that contemptuous little note on the conduct gone. If all this parade and delay is to issue in nothing of the Saxon troops in Holstein, which irritated him so but coaxing Denmark into accepting peaceably terms which keenly in the midst of his New Year festivities. On the whole, she can no longer resist, —if England is to have the it seems pretty clear that if there is no party to the Con- credit of procuring for her, as an act of grace, the worst ference, except Denmark and Sweden, which contem- that could be wrested from her by physical force,—if Eng- plates the use of force to prevent the virtual absorption land is to obtain for her the boon of paying only half corn- of Schleswig into Germany, the current of concession must pensation, or of having only three-quarters of the German all ran, and run very strong, in one direction ; and the thing garrison in Rendsburg that had been first suggested, or of would have been better done by conquest without conference, holding a veto on the Federal officer appointed to command If England, with or without France, is prepared to say the garrison, or of having the right to plead in Danish "Take less than this, or we shall go to war," there may be accorded to the Schleswig barristers on condition that the some chance ; but to any other argument it is obvious enough judge is German, or of getting the Danish currency admitted that the German plenipotentiaries will be simply imper- as legal tender in Schleswig-Holstein, or of putting back the vious. Flensburg monument over the Danes killed in the last war We said virtual absorption of Schleswig into Germany, which the Germans have so brutally desecrated and destroyed, because every one now knows how Austria and Prussia —or any other equally important concession,—we think the hope to effect it consistently with the magic formula, "in- Conference will be felt to be a disgrace to England and an in- tegrity of the Danish kingdom." The German demand, it suit to Denmark. And if we are really to make a stand at auything short of the supposed German demands, it is scarcely conceivable that we should not have been in a better position to make it without any Conference at all.
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