D1.8.12: [Untitled]

D1.8.12: [Untitled]

Newspaper Clippings

Bleek explores the likelihood of a general war in Europe, stating that England is unlikely to involve itself without sufficient cause. He submits that even with the aid of other Scandinavian powers, Germany's larger population will always grant it military superiority. When exemplifying Salic law, he explains that the ducal Augustenburg line is equally as entitled to Schleswig-Holstein (claimed by Frederick in 1863) as the Duke of Cumberland is to the kingdom of Hanover. The duchies fought over were Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg. The Germans of Schleswig and Holstein preferred the Augustenburgs to the more Danish Glücksburg branch. The November Constitution of 1863 tied Schleswig closer to Denmark, which Germans felt violated the London Protocol of 1852. Bleek views the Danish-German war is a German plaything, showcasing their superior resources (e.g., iron, coal, and personnel) and firearms (e.g., the 'Zündnadelgewehr', a needle gun). Bleek lastly comments on German unification and why South African settler colonies should similarly unify under a federalist system before achieving meaningful representation in the 'great parliament' of the 'Supreme Government' (of the British Empire).

Printed newsprint glued on paper

04 August 1864

One cut-out column of printed newsprint mounted on foolscap folio (warped).

Protocol of London, railways, Northern German State (has arms superiority), Danish War (a plaything for Germany), British Lion, Supreme Government (the common political life of the empire)

Pressed clippings of Victorian current affairs opinion pieces by Wilhelm Bleek. Published in Het Volksblad on Thursday, August 4th, 1864.

Van de Sandt de Villiers & Co.