Usedom, dated the 19th June, 1866, in which the then Italian Government is asked not to allow itself to be stopped by the fortresses of the Quadrilateral, but "to push its troops forward to the Danube and join hands with Prussia in the very centre of the Imperial Monarchy-in a word, to march upon Vienna. For the purpose of securing the permanent possession of Venice, it will first be necessary," pursues the despatch, "to strike the Austrian power to the heart. What would be the consequence if Italy were to limit her warlike action to Udine or Belluno in order afterwards to undertake the siege of the fortified places? This would infallibly cause a check to the whole war, for it would allow to the Austrian army an unmolested retreat towards the north, thereby strengthening the Imperial arms against Prussia. Perhaps, with the assistance of Bavaria, the combined forces could put a stop to the attack of Prussia, and compel her to remain on the defensive. Being thus deprived of the fruits of her former successes, a peace might perhaps be concluded, which-for Prussia, as well as for Italy-would neither answer the original idea of the campaign, nor the immense sacrifices made by the two countries. In order to avoid such an unfortunate contingency, which, sooner or later, would compel the allied powers to resume the task they had set themselves, Prussia considers that she cannot insist too strongly on the necessity of both sides pursuing the attack à outrance, namely, to the very walls of the capital."

NOTE VIII.

Bündniss-vertrag zwischen Preussen und Bayern.

"S. Majestät der König von Preussen und S. Majestät der König von Bayern, beseelt von dem Wunsche, das künftige Verhältniss der Souveraine und ihrer Staaten möglichst innig zu gestalten, haben zur Bekräftigung des zwischen Ihnen abgeschlossenen Friedens-Vertrages vom 22 August, 1866, beschlossen, weitere Verhandlungen zu pflegen, und haben mit dieser beauftragt, und zwar

"S. Majestät der König von Preussen:

"Seinen Minister Praesidenten und Minister der auswärtigen Angelegenheiten, Grafen Otto von BismarckSchönhausen, Ritter des schwarzen Adler-Ordens, u. s. w.

u. S. W.

"Und Seinen wirklichen Geheimen Rath, Kammerherrn und Gesandten, Carl Friedrich von Savigny, Ritter des Rothen Adler-Ordens I Classe, u. s. w. u. s. w.

"S. Majestät der König von Bayern:

"Seinen Staatsminister des Königlichen Hauses und des Aeussern, Ludwig Freiherrn von der Pfordten, Ritter des Hausordens vom heiligen Hubertus und Grosskreuz des Verdienstordens der Bayerischen Krone, etc. etc. "Und Seinen Ausserordentlichen Gesandten und be

vollmächtigten Minister am Kaiserlichen Oesterreichischen Hofe, Otto Grafen Bray-Steinburg, Staatsminister a. D. und erblichen Reichsrath, Grosskreuz des Verdienstordens der Bayerischen Krone und vom heiligen Michael,

etc. etc.

"Dieselben haben ihre Vollmachten Ausgetauscht und haben sich, nachdem diese in guter Ordnung befunden worden. waren, über nachfolgende Vertragsbestimmungen geeinigt.

"Art. 1. Zwischen S. Majestät dem Könige von Preussen und S. Majestät dem Könige von Bayern wird hiermit ein Schutz- und Trutz-Bündniss geschlossen.

"Es garantiren Sich die hohen Contrahenten gegenseitig die Integrität des Gebietes Ihrer bezüglichen Länder, und verpflichten Sich im falle eines Krieges Ihre volle Kriegsmacht zu diesem Zwecke einander zur Verfügung zu stellen.

"Art. 2. S. Majestät der König von Bayern überträgt für diesen Fall den Oberbefehl über Seine Truppen St. Majestät dem Könige von Preussen.

"Art. 3. Die hohen Contrahenten verpflichten Sich, diesen Vertrag vorerst geheim zu halten.

"Art. 4. Die Ratification des vorstehenden Vertrages erfolgt gleichzeitig mit der Ratification des unter dem heutigen Tage abgeschlossenen Friedens Vertrages, also bis spätestens züm 3 k. Mts.

"Zu Urkund dessen haben die Eingangsgenannten Bevollmächtigten diesen Vertrag in doppelter Ausfertigung am

66

(Translation.)

Treaty of Alliance between Prussia and Bavaria.

"His Majesty the King of Prussia and his Majesty the King of Bavaria, animated by a desire to establish the future relations between the two Sovereigns and their respective States on the most intimate possible terms, have decided, in order to confirm the Treaty of Peace concluded between them on the 22nd of August, 1866, to enter into further negotiations, and have empowered for this purpose:

"On the part of his Majesty the King of Prussia:

"His Minister, President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Otto von Bismarck-Schönhausen, Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle, etc. etc.

"And his Privy Councillor, Chamberlain, and Ambassador, Charles Frederick von Savigny, Knight of the Order of the Red Eagle of the First Class, etc. etc.

'On the part of his Majesty the King of Bavaria :

"His Minister of the Royal Household and of Foreign Affairs, Louis, Baron von der Pfordten, Knight of the domestic Order of St. Hubert, and Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown, etc. etc.

"And his Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Imperial Austrian Court, Otto Count Bray-Steinburg, retired Minister of State and hereditary State Councillor, Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown and of St. Michael, etc. etc.

"Who have exchanged their credentials, and, these having been found correct, have agreed on the following stipulations:-

"Art. 1. An offensive and defensive alliance is hereby concluded between his Majesty the King of Prussia and his Majesty the King of Bavaria.

"The high contracting parties mutually guarantee to each other the integrity of the territory of their respective countries, and bind themselves, in case of war, to place at each other's disposal their entire military forces for this object.

"Art. 2. His Majesty the King of Bavaria transfers for such an eventuality the supreme command of his troops to his Majesty the King of Prussia.

"Art. 3. The high contracting parties bind themselves primarily to keep this treaty secret.