RUSSIA, GERMANY, AND DENMARK.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 159, 8 December 1874, Page 3

RUSSIA, GERMANY, AND DENMARK.

[F, •om the Spectator.} The only important rumors of the week have concerned the relations of Russia to Germany and Denmark. The Tagcsprcsse, of Vienna —which has been already contradicted from Copenhagen, whore the rumor of any proposal to merge Denmark in Germany would cause inconvenient excitement, but not as yet contradicted from Berlin, —affirms that overtures were made at Copenhagen intimating that Denmark might even recover the whole of fcffcsvig, if she were inclined to cast in her fate cordially with Germany, to enrich the Empire with her fleet, and become a constituent State in it, of course, therefore electing members to the German Parliament, and nominating a representative in the Council of Princes. It is further asserted that those overtures were at once declined, and that Russia, hearing of the proposals, and vehemently alarmed for her own naval strength in the Baltic, at once took an opportunity of showing, in relation to Spain, her alacrity to check the growth of German influence—whence the Czar’s friendly letter to Don Carlos, On the other hand, the friendly relations which appeared to bo growing up between Denmark and Germany, at the time of the visit of the German ironclad to Copenhagen, a month or two ago, wore suddenly cooled, and the German Government in Slesvig-llolstein began turning the screw upon Danish residents and visitors. The important part, of the rumour is probab l y not justified by any official proposal, but it is exceedingly likely to represent diplomatic tentatives cautiously thrown out; for Germany would like, not only the Danish fleet, but a new accession of thoroughly sturdy Protestant subjects. If the prospect of Denmark’s absorption should ever become a near one, the old idea about European “ balance of power” would come in for a new lease of life. When the rod of Bismarck swallows at a gulp the rods of all the other European soothsayers, Europe will begin to fidget, and not without cause. Em pires are always said to mean peace,” but as uniformly seem fated to destroy it.