Bismarck and the foundation of the German empire . e, which were ultimatelydecided at Vienna, were that Schleswig, Holstein,and also Lauenburg should be given up. Christiantransferred to the Emperor of Austria and the Kingof Prussia all the rights which he possessed. As toLauenburg the matter was simple—the authority ofthe King of Denmark over this Duchy was undis-puted ; as to Schleswig-Holstein all the old ques-tions still continued ; the King had transferred hisrights, but what were his rights ? He could onlygrant that which belonged to him ; if the Prince ofAugustenburg was Duke, then the
Bismarck and the foundation of the German empire . e, which were ultimatelydecided at Vienna, were that Schleswig, Holstein,and also Lauenburg should be given up. Christiantransferred to the Emperor of Austria and the Kingof Prussia all the rights which he possessed. As toLauenburg the matter was simple—the authority ofthe King of Denmark over this Duchy was undis-puted ; as to Schleswig-Holstein all the old ques-tions still continued ; the King had transferred hisrights, but what were his rights ? He could onlygrant that which belonged to him ; if the Prince ofAugustenburg was Duke, then the King of Den-mark could not confer another mans throne. Therewas, however, this difference: hitherto the questionhad been a European one, but since the London 1864] Schleswig-Holstein. 225 Congress no other State had any claim to disputed succession of the Duchies must be set-tled between Austria and Prussia. It was a specialclause in the terms of peace that it should be decidedby agreement between them and not referred to CHAPTER IX. THE TREATY OF BISMARCK always looked back with peculiarpleasure on the negotiations which were con-cluded by the Peace of Vienna. His conductof the affair had in fact been masterly ; he had suc-ceeded in permanently severing the Duchies fromDenmark ; he had done this without allowing foreignnations the opportunity for interfering ; he had main-tained a close alliance with Austria ; he had pleasedand flattered the Emperors of Russia and perhaps gave him most satisfaction was that,though the result had been what the whole of theGerman nation desired, he had brought it aboutby means which were universally condemned, andthe rescue of the Duchies had been a severe defeatto the Democratic and National party. With the Peace a new stage begins; the Duchieshad been transferred to the Allied Powers; howwere they now to be disposed of? We have seenthat Bismarck desired to acquire them for Prussia;if it
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbismarckottofrstvon1
