THIS WEEK’S ANNIVERSARY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 84, 4 July 1928, Page 3

THIS WEEK’S ANNIVERSARY

BATTLE OF SADOWA. GERMAN UNITY FORWARDED. With Die decisive defeat of the Austrian by the Germans in the battle of Sadowa on July 3rd, 18(30, the formation of the German Empire as it existed previous to the Great War was made much easier of accomplishment. Prussia and Austria had fought and beaten Denmark in 1864. Then followed a period of wrangling, in which Ausaria's jealous attitude as [regards German headship was much in evidence. As regards Schleswig and Holstein, the subject of the war with Denmark, Bismarck-wrote naively to a friend: “To elucidate the situation I may remark in conclusion, that the annexation by Prussia is not the chief and necessary aim of my efforts, though certainly the most agreeable result.’’ DIPLOMATIC WARFARE.

The disagreements between Austria and Prussia, in the administration of their common property, continually furnished matter for preliminary diplomatic warfare, and already in the summer of 1865 the outbreak of the war began to threaten. It is interesting to note, in view of the fact that the victory Of Sadowa was an important turning- •\ point for Bismarck, marking the definite visible success of his policy in the past years, what Bismarck’s personal feelings were in the period immediately, preceding the battle, in a letter dated August 6th, 1)864, he says; ‘‘lt is a life like Leporelio’a —no peace by day cn- night —nor thing to give me, any pleasure.” The unpleasant feeling of being famous and yet not popular tormented him more and more. When in Vienna lie declared that the people stared at him’ as if he were a new hippopotamus for the Zoological The life I lead in Berlin seems to me like the life of a convict, when I compare it to my independent existence in foreign countries.”

“SO MANY MUSTS”. Under the continuous burden of affairs even Bismark’s elasticity was sometimes ready to give way. “There are so many musts in my life”, he wrote from Carlsbad in July, 1865, “that I seldom am able to do what I want. The mill goes round day after day, and I seem to myself ilke the jaded horse who drags it round and round without advancing a step. I look across the table to the Erzgebirge and along the Tepl, into the glow of the sunset, but I feel old and dried up.” As ■relations between the two countries became more strained both solicited the help of the small German States and Bismarck signally failed in his attempts to secure, first, the support of the Governments, and, secondly, the sympathy of the people of these states. , Then he had a protracted struggle with the King of Prussia before he could be persuaded to declare War, the King’s decision following close on an attempt on the life of Bismarck. On July 2nd the Prussian headquarters was at Gitschin, with the Austrians with striking distance in front of Koniggratz. The survey of the strategic position made by the Austrian commander caused him to telegraph to the Emperor at Vienna, that ai catastrophe was inevitable unless peace were made. Cn the morrow the battle was fought, the Austrians were decisively defeated, and the headship of the German nations was definitely transferred from Austria to Prussia.