98 



Prince Bismarck and his Policy. 



sequences likely to ensue upon such a situation in a com- 

 paratively short time, as it would naturally occur that the 

 activity of an assembly, in which, from just causes we no 

 longer took part, would be regarded by us as unauthorita- 

 tive on the whole business sphere of the Diet." 



In the summer of 1863, Bismarck accompanied his 

 king to Carlsbad, and thence to Gastein, when Austria 

 proposed reorganization on the federal priiiciple, as op- 

 posed to Prussian uniouistic efforts. 



King William declined to attend the princes's congress 

 at Frankfort, where the fundamental principles of the 

 Austrian project were accepted. Their compact proved 

 fruitless. i^"othing was possible in Germany without 

 Prussia. 



Bismarck, in his royal reply to the members of the 

 princes's congress promulgated a series of " preliminary 

 conditions," as to the part Prussia might take in further 

 negotiations. He demanded, 



1. The veto of Prussia and Austria upon every federal 

 war not undertaken in resistance of an attack upon federal 

 authority. 



2. The entire equality of Prussia, vt^ith Austria in the 

 presidency and government of federal concerns. 



3. A national representation, not to consist of delegates, 

 but of directly chosen representatives, in the ratio of the 

 populations of single states, the powers of which, in resolu- 

 tion, should, in any case, be more extensive than those in 

 the project of the Frankfort reform act. 



As a pleti for this condition he inserted in his report to 

 the king, that the interestsandrequirementsof the Prussian 

 people w^ere essentially and indissolubly identical with those 

 of the German people whenever this element attained its 

 true construction and value, Prussia never need fear to 

 be drawn into any policy adverse to her own interests. 



This firm attitude saved the future of Prussia, and also 

 that of Germany. 



