The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-09 00:00:00

PRINCE BISMARCK ON THE EASTERN
QUESTION.

At a Parliamentary dinner (given last Saturday) Prince
Bismarck expressed himself in these tents upon the Oriental
Question (says the Berlin Correspondent of The Times):—
" Thanks to Germany's endeavours to maintain
peace, Eogland would probably allow the inevitable
Russo-Turkish war to be localized. Lord Salisbury,
when at Berlin, had spoken very temperately tipcm
this side of the question. However, it was not Eng-
land. but Austria, who found herself reduced to an
exceedingly difficult position by current events. Ger-
many wished to remain on friendly terms with Austria.
Should Austria be vitally injured by the pro-
gress cf events, Germany would possibly deem
it incumbent on her to offer to assist Austria.
Meanwhile, Germany would remain neutral, and con-
tinue to exert herself on behalf of localization. Ger-
many's was a friendly neutrality towards all parties
concerned, and the passage in the Speech from the
Throne which alluded to the traditional allies of the
country certainly was meant to include England as
well as other neighbours. The statement that be had
approved the occupation of Bulgaria, or had told Lord
Salisbury he approved any such proceedings' was
erroneous. Germany had refrained from all inter-
ference and had no wish to acquire prestige by med-
dling With other people's sffaire. She had been asked
to mediate, but she had declined to advise where she
did not mean to support the counsel by force. The
time would come when the disinterestedness of this
policy would be generally recognized, and when Euro-
pean affairs would be adjusted by the weight which
Germany, if her interest required it, was able to throw
into the balance. After all, Cabinets were easily
reconciled. Whatever differences might have occurred,
the difficulty in the present instance was to reconcile
the nations."

Then, turning to an Ultramontane member known to
favour the incorporation of Austria in Germany, the
Prince remarked that neither he nor Germany had
any designs in that direction, nor did he think that
the Germans in Austria were really favourable to the
plan.

Further details have transpired of the remarks made by•
Prince B'smarck at the Parliamentary dinner. The Im-
perial Chancellor considered that the preservation of peace
ought not yet to be despaired of, but if the preseut compli-
cations resulted in war, which certainly seemed probable,
Russia and Turkey would after a time be tired of waging it,
and Germany would then be able to mediate with better
prospects of success than at present To give advice to Russia
at the present time would be inopportune. In explaining
why this would be so, the Prince observed that the result of
giving such advice would be to displease the Russian nation,
and that result would be worse than having a passing dispute
with a Govarnment. Prince Bismarck's remarks about Eng-
land were understood to be to the effect that he hoped Great
Britain would at all events rot wage open war against
Russia, but at most a kind of unofficial warfare such as that
carried on by Russia in Servia. With regard to Austria, the
Imperial Chancellor spoke in very friendly terms. Should
Austria be drawn into the war, and should any danger
threaten her existence as an Empire, it would be Germany's
duty to come forward in support of her position, and for the
maintenance generally of the present distribution of terri-
tory. Germany would give thus evidence of her thorough
unselfishness, and continue to be the lead in the framework
which causes the figures to stand upright. Baaides, Austria
possessed great vitality, greater than many people thought.
He had told Lord Salisbury so, and this vitality would shove
itself should the Emperor Francis Joseph, under certain cir-
cumstances, make a personal appeal to his people. He had
not spoken a word to Lord Salisbury about an occupation of
Bulgaria in the sense attributed to him.

Prince Bismarck ba3 made his promised communi-
cation to the German Parliament on the Eastern
Queetion. Replying to an in.terpellation respecting
toe Customs policy of Russia, he admitted that the
country had entered on a wrong path, but declared his
Inability to exercise sufficient influence to induce her
to take another. He proceeded to explain that Russia,
which was asking for no great favours from Germany,
did not aim at making great conquests.
"The Emperor Alexander has ever been a loyal ally to us "(the
Prince continued), 'and Russia only a.ks us for our co-opera-
tion at the Conference for the improvement of the position of
the Christians in Turkey, a purpose to which our Emperor
and our nation willingly offer a helping hand. That
we shall support this object is beyond all ques-
tion. This support Ls justified _by sympathy for
our co.religionists and for the purposes of civillva-
Hon. Should the Conference not lead to any result,
warlike action on the part of Russia is probable. Russia
does not, however, ask our assistance for that purpose also,
although no one will expect us to interpose our veto against
It, since objects are concerned for which we ourselves are
striving. Toe mingling of commercial with political ques-
tions at this juncture would lead to monstrosities. It is im-
possible for a Customs' question either to procure friendship
or to prepare enmity. If the object of the interpellation was
to bring about discord between us and Russia, as has already
been aimed at before this, it is to be regretted. As long as
we stand upon this plac3 Yon will never succeed in making
a rent n our friendship with Russia, a friendship which
has lasted for centuries and is based upon history. Be
assured that the alliance of the three Empires is still en-
tirely deserving ef Its name, and continues to exist. As with
Russia; so with England also we have maintained- amicable
relations for centuries. As regards the Eastern Question,
we have set ourselves the task of mediating between the
Powers and of maintaining peace in so far as depends upon
us. Though the present situation involves no question
of war for us, it yet demands of us an extraordinarily
cautions attitude. We must maintain good relations who
the Powers, and can only actively interpose if one of our
friends is imperilled by another Power. Our friendly posi-
tion to waris all the Po wars has been recognized by all, and
it will, we hope, contrloute to localise the war. That is the
end and obj ct of alt cur efforts. We believe that au under-
standing on ail differences which may possibly exist between
Russia and England will be attained.'
The Prince concluded with these words :—" Our task is,
therefore, in the first place, to maintain peace, and, in the
second, to mediate between the Powers in order to dispel
existing differences, and to localise a war which is
perhaps
inevitable Should our efforts in this direction prove Wile,
then certainly a new situation will arise, upon which eeopie
may form cw lectures, but upon which I cannot at present
give any information."
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