Lieutenant-General von Manteuffel, in assuming authority in Schleswig under the
provisions of the Gastein Convention, says, with an irony the poor Schleswigers are already feeling keenly, "The words 'Prussian administration' signify of themselves justice, public order, and advancement of the general prosperity." He promises them "ample regard for your special interests," and demands from them in return "obedience and trust in His Majesty's commands." The obedience,' if not easy, is possible, no doubt, but the trust ! General Manteuffel sees that little diffi- culty himself, for he goes on to say that His Majesty's Civil Com- missioner, Baron von Zedlitz, "will conduct the entire civil administration of the duchy." Now Von Zedlitz has earned his distinction in the Police Bureau, so that if the Schleswigera can't trust General Manteuffel, he certainly won't be obliged, with so experienced a lieutenant, to trust them.
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