Page:Stryker's American Register and Magazine, Volume 6, 1851.djvu/140

134 sion of their respective reports; and whereas, according to the Protocol of this day, a conviction has been obtained that all the Federal States agree as to the modes and objects of their endeavors, but that an immediate and unconditional assent of all the Federal governments to all the proposals of the Commission could not be obtained, it has been thought expedient to close the Conferences. In so doing all the Federal governments declare themselves to be generally agreed on those points which the Commissions established as leading points, and on this basis they promise to continue the consultations in the Federal Diet. The propositions of the first Commission in particular, respecting the expedition of the transaction of business in the Diet and the preparation of a number of troops to be placed at the disposal of the said Diet, are acknowledged by all the governments to be useful, expedient, and necessary. They consequently promise to instruct their agents to assent to these proposals, whenever the same are submitted to the sanction of the Diet."

The whole upshot of the Conference, therefore, was, that the Confederation was restored to its condition before 1848, so that all parties were disappointed, although Austria succeeded in preventing all concessions to liberalism.

Various prosecutions and expulsions occurred in several of the States, for the part enacted by the offending individuals during the temporary triumph of the popular cause; and the press was still further restricted, so that matters returned nearly, although not precisely, to the starting point. But the feelings of the masses appeared decidedly hostile to the reaction. The foreign troops, quartered in several of the smaller States, had various difficulties with the populace. This was particularly the case at Hamburg and the vicinity. Early in June, high words were exchanged between some of the inhabitants of the suburb of St. Paul, at Hamburg, and the Austrian soldiery stationed there. The latter drew their swords and attacked the people. The attack was at first repulsed; but they returned with a reinforcement of their comrades. They were again compelled to flee; and, amidst the confusion, a cry was raised that the soldiers had cut down a man. They were hotly pursued in consequence; and, as they turned on their pursuers, a sharp conflict ensued. An Austrian patrol now came up, and the officer in command summoned the people to disperse at once. The people not having immediately complied, the troops made an indiscriminate onslaught on people of all ages, and fifteen were killed. This proceeding produced a strong feeling of indignation against the Austrian soldiers; and the Senate of Hamburg transmitted a protest against their proceedings to Vienna, Frankfort, and Berlin. At the same time, they protested against the