Herr von Bismarck on the 8th of May addressed a
circular to all Prussian Envoys describing the position of the kingdom towards the Diet. It is a really fine specimen of the artistic and decor- ous snub. The Minister tells the Diet, which, be it remembered, in theory controls Prussia as much as Lippe, that he has asked its members in vain to join in the invasion of Schleswig, that it would not even assist in seizing Fehmarn, that if he and Austria had not acted independently "the whole matter would not have emerged from the stage of theoretical discussion," and that he perceives by lamentable experience the difficulties which would follow any at- tempt to obey an impulse given by the Diet. Finally he trusts the German Governments will perceive that their course has not furthered their interests, and "that this experience will not be lost upon them? We trust so too, the little Powers remembering for the future that when a house is to be broken into it is the " cracksman " not the spy who carries off most of the plunder.
Previous page
