Mr. Kreismann to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The suspension of hostilities between the German powers and Denmark, which was to have terminated on the 31st instant, has been extended until the 3d of August next. The Danish plenipotentiaries are reported to have still insisted on a division of Schleswig, and but for this extension the Vienna conference, like that of London, would have ended in failure. Prussia very reluctantly consented to the postponement, and the King of Denmark must yield to Herr Von Bismarck’s terms, or else the war after August 3 will break out anew.
Some excesses between Saxon and Hanoverian soldiers on the one side, and Prussian on the other, having occurred at Rendsburg, orders were given by the Prussian commander-in-chief for a brigade of Prussians, 6,000 strong, to occupy that place. The federal commander, to avoid a conflict and bloodshed, withdrew his troops under protest, and so the Prussians remain in possession of the key to the entire duchy of Holstein. Of course, this coup de main has created great excitement in all the smaller states of Germany, and the feeling of hostility towards Prussia is intense. Austria, too, seems to have disapproved of this proceeding of her ally, from the fact that Herr Von Bismarck has caused [Page 221] the Prussian minister at the Frankfort Diet, which body likewise had issued a protest, to declare that the occupation was a purely military measure, which by no means involved a withdrawal of the troops of the federal execution; and this being so, that there were no good reasons why these troops should not return. It is likely that the affair will be compromised, but the end of difficulties is by no means yet.
The under secretary of state of the Foreign Office, Herr Von Thile, has received leave of absence, and his place has been assumed by Herr Von Balan, late Prussian minister at Copenhagen and delegate to the London conference. The King will be absent from Berlin until the end of August, and before returning will proceed to Vienna, to pay a visit to the Emperor of Austria. All the “chefs,” too, of the various foreign missions here are now absent.
Late events at home have given occasion to Herr Von Bismarck’s semi-official organ, “The Nord Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung,” to display great sympathy and partiality for the rebel cause, and in its zealous wishes for the downfall of republican government, and the further establishment of monarchical institutions on the American continent, it indulges in the grossest misrepresentations regarding our armies and finances. I have so far refrained from making any reclamations at the ministry of foreign affairs against its infamous and slanderous course, but I deem it my duty to take notice of and communicate the facts to you. The relations of the journal in question to Herr Von Bismarck are such that I feel quite justified in believing that in these aspersions to our cause it reflects his sentiments. I await your directions whether or not, in case of a continuance, I am to bring the matter to the notice of the Foreign Office and ask for explanations.
A grossly false statement, with the view of discouraging emigration, concerning the bill then pending in Congress, on the subject of encouraging immigration, having appeared in a German illustrated paper of immense circulation, published at Leipsig, to the effect that the measure proposed by you was but a recruiting contrivance, and coupling with this falsehood others as to our taxes and national debt, I sent the article to Mr. Mothershead, our consul, requesting him to cause the editor of that paper to correct his misstatements. Mr. Mothers head promptly did so, and the correction was published. I have also made arrangements that all such papers as copied the original article shall print the correction. In connexion with this subject, I beg you will cause a number of copies of the act encouraging immigration, as finally passed, to be forwarded to this legation as early as convenient. I will translate it into German and get it inserted in as many journals as possible.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.