Prince Bismarck and his Policy. 



101 



When the news of the Prussian victory reached the 

 Vatican, Cardinal Antonelli exclaimed in terror : " The 

 world is out of joint." A cry of anguish came from the 

 whole Roman camp. 



Bismarck's position after the Prussian-Austrian war, was 

 an exceedingly difficult one. There were dangers ahead 

 which neither the genius of Yon Moltke, nor the bravery 

 of the army, nor the masterly leadership of its generals 

 could overcome. It needed the consummate skill of Bis- 

 marck's statesmanship. 



The Scaninavian Xorth hated Prussia. 



Austria's watchword was "Revenge." 



France was poison and gall. 



England could not forget the occupation of Hanover. 

 Russia was a doubtful ally. 



A new war had to be prevented and yet the Iruits of 

 victory to be reaped. 



The treat}' of peace of Xikolsburg solved the problem. 



Benedetti stepped forward and proposed French inter- 

 vention, which could not be refused. 



Venice was ceded to Napoleon, and by him transferred to 

 Victor Emmanuel. 



^^'apoleon desired a recompense for his magnanimity in 

 not throwing an army across the Rhine. This demand 

 had been feared in Prussia and expected in South Germany. 



While the peace of Nikolsburg had disclosed Austria's 

 and its allies'" weakness, it had showed also the weakness 

 of France. Napoleon's army was still in Mexico, and 

 therefore unavailable for active operations ; the' doubt 

 whether direct interference would not reconcile the con- 

 tending parties was a further reason for delaying matters, 

 which proved fatal to him afterwards. 



Prussia's victory had astounded Xapoleon. As he could 

 not trust to force of arms, he resorted to intrigue. The 

 treaty of 1815 had been annihilated — France hoped to bene- 

 fit by it. 



