The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-01-25
NO. 421.
foreign Affairs.
THE RELATIONS OF AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, AND
RUssIA-THE NEW ALLIANCE.

On seeing that the Western Powers were
firmly resolved to assist the Sultan in repel-
ling the encroachments attempted by Russia,
the Car deemed it advisable to remind the
Courts of Vienna and Berlin of the friendship
that had for so long time existed between
themselves and the house Of Romanoff, and to
propose TO confirm the old and mutually be-
Inefficient relations, by new treaty. The favor
tie Of the Car, Count Alexis Orlof, was, in
the beginning of the month of last January, sent
70 Vienna, in order to communicate the senti-
ments and wishes of his master to the young
Emperor Of Austria, while the same trust was
committed to NJ. de Budberg, with regard to
the King Of Prussia.
From confidential note of Count Nessel-
rodes. which Just now has been made public,
we find that Russia disowned the wish of an
ofinsiue alliance with the two great German
Powers, while she at the same time declared
a treaty of amity between these Governments,
and those Of France and England, as an impos-
siJili.y, without Austria and Prussia sacrificing
their interests and selfesteem. There remain
el, consequently, according to the views Of
Count Nesselrode, for the Courts of Vienna and
Berlin nothing to do but to conclude with the
Emperor of Russia-their tried friend-a trea-
ty by which they should pledge themselves to
maintain neutrality during the course of the
war between him and the Sultan, and those
Powers that might range themselves on the
side Of the latter. The Car, feeling himself
strong enough single-handed to contend with
the enemies now alluded TO, would, on his part,
pledge himself to assist the German Powers,
should France and England attempt by force
to compel them to side with Turkey and its
allies
The note in question, while couched in
terms worthy of the diplomatic skill of Count
Nesselrode, proves, nevertheless, the apprehen-
SION which the Gar entertained of the possibil-
iiy Of Austria and Prussia being induced to
taae part with his enemies. Indeed, the EN-
per5r Nicholas could not have forgotten that
It was chiefly Austria, under the auspices of
Prince Metternich, that prevented him, in 1929,
from consummating the destruction Of the OF
tonan Empire. He seems to have been aware
that he could not place much reliance upon
the gratitude of Austria for the eminent SER
wees rendered. to her, in her desperate strug
Me with the valiant Magyars, nor upon the
confessed friendship of Prussia; he wished,
therefore, to get new, solemn pledge from
these Powers, of their fidelity to his cause, and
the proposed treaty of neutrality was to be
bat the cloak of defensiue alliance.
1t deserves our especial notice, that while
the treaty proposed by the Car was met with
prompt refusal on the part of Prussia, it was
10 Austria a matter of long deliberation, before
she returned negative answer. But, in the be-
ginning Of the month of March, Count Portales
and the other anti-Russian members of the
Prussian Cabinet were obliged to resign their
places; and, from that time, the course pursu-
ed by the Government of Prussia has been evi-
IDENTIFY favorable to Russia The Austrian Gov
eminent has, on the contrary, become step by
step more alienated from the Car still, it is
nevertheless very questionable, even in the face
Of its treaty of the I'd instant, with the Western
Powers, whether, in reality, it be more friendly
To them than is the Court of Berlin. But, as
Austria entertains far greater fear and jeal
Ousy of Russia than what Prussia does, the
former is more DESTROYS than the latter, to see
the ambitious designs of the Car frustrated,
aud himself deprived of the possibility of re-
newlng his attempts at farther aggrandizement
The King of Prussia, though somewhat en-
rous of the superative talents and power of
his imperial brother-in-law, sympathizes, how
ever, much with him, on account of their COM
mon devotion to despotic principles and near
family connection, and would probably long
ago have openly espoused the cause of Rus
sla, had he not been retained from that step
by apprehension of calling forth reyolutiona
ry movement among his own subjects, and ex
posing himself to the vengeance of France and
England. lie has therefore remained appar-
entity neutral; but has, nevertheless, done all
that he could do by diplomatic art to prevent
or at least retard, Austria from any aggressive
measure against the Gar But the Kings
desire to serve Russia, without hazarding the
peace of his own kingdom, has necessitated the
cabinet of Berlin to pursue the feeble and un-
disniiied policy which has made it liable to so
much Just reproach, since the resignation of
Count Portales.
But the course pursued hy Austria has been
sun more blameable. While pretending friend
ship toward both the belGgerent parties, she has
endeayored to prepare for herself the way of
acquiring immense advantages, by injuring
both the one and the other, without running
'h' risk Of getting in war with either. So, for
instance by the treaty of the l4th of June,
with Turkey, she was allowed to introduce a
body OF troops into the Danubian Principali-
ueS' IN order to protect these provinces against
The Gar; but, scarcely had she got fast footing
There, ere her agents began to throw every pos
siDe obstacle, except of open violence, in the
way OF the advance of the army of Omer Pasha
toward the Pruth. This fact is now authenti
Gated beyond the shadow of doubt.
She thus endeavored to repair the injury
which she had done the Car, in contributing.
by the suspicious movements of her troops. to
compel him to withdraw the army commanded
by Prince Gortshakoff from Wallachia and
Noidava. But, consequently, after first aiding
Tue cause of Turkey and its Allies, she then
damaged it vitality, by allowing the Emperor
Nicholas the opportunity of sending numerous
endorsements into the Crimea. By the actual
occupation Of the Danubian Principalities, she
mas nevertheless, hoped to force both the belli
Eerent parties, in spite of their displeasure with
H,f course, to concede ultimately to her the
advantages which she desires in that quarter
mere can be no doubt that she views with