[War. Prussia and Austria.]

No. 380.-PRUSSIAN MANIFESTO of War with Austria. Berlin, 18th June, 1866.

To my People.

(Translation.)

At the moment of the departure of the Prussian Army for a decisive struggle, I feel called upon to speak to my People, to the Sons and Grandsons of the brave Fathers to whom, a century ago, my Father, who rests in God, addressed these memorable words:

"The Country is in danger!"

Only a few years since, of my free will, and ignoring all previous injuries, I gave the Emperor of Austria a friendly hand, when there was an intention of delivering up a German Country to Foreign Dominion.

From blood shed in common, I was in hopes that an Alliance based upon mutual esteem and furthering the prosperity and power of Germany would issue from the Austrian and Prussian brotherhood in arms. I have been deceived. Austria will not forget that her Princes formerly reigned over Germany; and will not consider Prussia as her natural ally, but as a hostile rival.

In her opinion, Prussia must be opposed in all its tendencies, because that which is beneficial to Prussia is objectionable to Austria.

The old and fatal jealousy has been revived: Prussia must be weakened, destroyed, dishonoured; Treaties have no longer any value. Not only are the Princes of the Germanic Confederation called upon, but they are drawn into a breach of the Confederation. Wherever we cast our eyes in Germany, we are surrounded by enemies whose War cry is the humiliation of Prussia. But the spirit of 1813 lives in the Prussian People.

Who shall wrest from us an inch of Prussian Territory if we are firmly resolved to keep the Conquests of our Fathers-if the King and the People, united more firmly than ever by the dangers of the Country, consider as their first and most sacred duty to give their possessions and their blood to preserve her honour?

In the foresight, full of solicitude of what has just happened, I was obliged for years past, as the first duty of my Royal func

[War. Prussia and Austria.]

tions, to prepare the civil portion of the Prussian People for a great development of power.

Like myself, every Prussian will confidently cast his eyes upon the armed force which defends our Frontiers.

With their King at their head, the Prussian Nation will truly feel itself a People in Arms.

Our opponents deceive themselves if they imagine Prussia to be paralysed by dissensions at home. Before the enemy these disappear, and all hitherto opposed to one another stand henceforth united in triumph or misfortune.

I have done everything to save Prussia from the expenses and sacrifices of a War; my People know it; God also knows it, He who searches our hearts.

Up to the last moment I have striven, in conjunction with France, Great Britain, and Russia, to come to an amicable arrangement (No. 377).

Austria refused, and other German States have openly sided with her.

Let it then be so!

It is not my fault if my People are forced to maintain a difficult struggle, and perhaps to bear hard trials; but no other choice was left.

We are compelled to fight for existence. We must go forth to battle for life or death against those who wish to humiliate the Prussia of the great Elector, of the great Frederic, of the Prussia such as she has come out of the War of Independence, from the position to which the spirit of her Princes, the bravery, devotedness, and morality of her People have raised her.

Let us implore the Almighty, He who rules the destinies of Peoples and Battles, that He may bless our Arms.

If God give us the victory, we shall be strong enough to reunite more firmly and more prosperously those loosened ties of Germany which they who fear the right and the power of the national spirit have torn asunder.

Berlin, 18th June, 1866.

WILLIAM.

[War. Italy and Austria.]

No. 381.-ITALIAN MANIFESTO of War with Austria. 19th June, 1866.

(Translation.)

SEVEN years have already passed since Austria attacked my States (No. 293) because I had supported the common cause of the Country in the Councils of Europe, and had not been insensible to the cries of anguish which arose from every part of oppressed Italy.

I took up the sword to defend my Throne, the liberty of my People, the honour of the Italian name, and to fight for the right of the Nation. Victory was in favour of good right. The valour of the Army, the aid of the Volunteers, the concord and wisdom of the People, and the assistance of a magnanimous Ally, gained the almost complete Independence and Liberty of Italy. Supreme reasons which we were obliged to respect prevented us from at that time accomplishing that just and glorious enterprise. One of the noblest Provinces of the Peninsula remained in the hands of Austria, notwithstanding its heroic resistance and continual protest against Foreign Dominion rendered them especially dear and sacred to us. Though sorrowful at heart, I abstained from troubling Europe, which desired Peace, and sympathised in the foundation and the increase of my Kingdom.

My Government occupied itself with improving the work of interior organisation, with opening sources of public prosperity, and with fortifying the Country by land and by sea, in order that Italy, placed in a position not to dread an attack, should find in the consciousness of her strength reasons for a watchful prudence, awaiting the moment in which, with the assistance of the opinion of civilised nations, and the principles of a wise liberality which prevailed in the Councils of Europe, a favourable opportunity should arise of delivering Venetia,* of accomplishing and insuring her Independence.

Although waiting was not without danger nor without sorrow, within Frontiers badly defined and disarmed, under the constant threats of the Enemy, who had for a long period accumulated in the Provinces submitted to her sway formidable preparations of attack and defence; notwithstanding the distressing spectacle of the treatment inflicted on the miserable populations which she * The Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom was ceded by Austria to Italy by the Treaty signed at Prague, 23rd August, 1866.

[War. Italy and Austria.]

had acquired by conquest and an iniquitous division, I nevertheless knew, for the sake of European tranquillity, how to suppress my feelings as an Italian and King, and the just impatience of my Peoples. I knew how completely to preserve the right of securing the life and the destiny of the Nation when the time arrived. I knew how to preserve intact the dignity of the Crown and of Parliament, in order that Europe might understand what was due to Italy.

Austria, suddenly reinforcing her Troops upon our Frontier, and provoking us by her hostile and threatening attitude, has come to disturb the pacific task undertaken to complete the organisation of the Kingdom and to alleviate the great sacrifices imposed upon my Peoples by the presence of the enemy on the National Territory.

I have replied to that unjustifiable provocation by again taking up Arms, and you have afforded a sight grand and dear to me, by the promptness and the enthusiasm with which you have hastened to join the glorious ranks of my Army and Volunteers.

Nevertheless, when friendly Powers endeavoured to settle the difficulties by a Congress, I gave a last pledge of my feelings to Europe, and hastened to accept the proposal (No. 377). Austria again refused, this time rejecting negotiations and all argument, affording thus a fresh proof that if she confides in her strength she does not rely equally upon the goodness of her cause and of her right. You also, Italians, may trust in your strength, looking with pride upon your valiant Army and strong Navy, but you may rely still more firmly upon the sacredness of your right, the triumph of which is henceforth infallible. We are supported by the judgment of public opinion and by the sympathy of Europe, which knows that Italy, independent and secure in her Territory, will become a guarantee for Peace and Order, and will henceforth be a powerful instrument of universal civilisation.

Italians! I hand over the Government of the State to the Prince of Carignan, and again take up the eagles of Goito and Pastrengo, of Palestro and San Martino. I feel that I shall accomplish the vows made at the tomb of my high-minded father. I wish to be once more The first soldier of Italian Independence. Long live Italy!

RICASOLI.

VICTOR EMMANU

[Great Britain proclaimed its Neutrality in this War on the 27th June, 1866.]

[War. Italy against Austria.]

No. 382.-ITALIAN DECLARATION of War against Austria. Cremona, 20th June, 1866.

THE Empire of Austria has been for Centuries past the principal cause of the division, the subjection, and the incalculable moral and material wrongs of Italy. Now that the Nation is constituted, Austria withholds recognition, and continues to oppress one of our noblest Provinces, transforming it into a vast intrenched camp, in order to menace our existence, rendering our internal and external political development impossible.

The counsels and efforts of the friendly Powers with Austria were useless, and it was inevitable that Austria and Italy should again find themselves face to face in the first European complication.

The initiative taken by Austria, in armaments, and her rejection of the pacific propositions of the Neutral Powers, proved her hostile designs (No. 377). The People of Italy have risen up from one extremity of the Peninsula to the other, and it is for these reasons that the King, the guardian of his People's rights and the defender of the Integrity of the National Territory, declares War to the Empire of Austria.

I notify to your Imperial Highness the order of the King that Hostilities will commence within 3 days hence unless your Highness does not accept this delay, in which case I beg you to be good enough to inform me to that effect.

ALFONSO LA MARMORA.

To His Highness the Prince of Carignan.