, 1864-01-01


The following is q translation Of the dis
patch Of the Austrian Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Prince Richard Mettcrnich, accom-
panying the reply Of the Emperor Of Austria
to tho Emperor Napolcon's invitation to the
Congress-:
Accompanying this dispatch you will find
a copy Of the letter OF the Emperor. our
august master, to the Emperor Napoleon.
There remains little for me to add to tho
words Of His Majesty to put you completely
in posseesion Of the views Of the Imperial
Government upon theproposition for IN Et1
ropenn Congress.
Government In the Wfsh Of consolidating
European peace, VIC think that IN agreement
as to the precise methods to be employed for
this purpose is an Indispensable preliminary
TO nll delibc1ation Of a genera Character.
Upon this subject We should hare to ask
eoma explanations from the French GoVorn~
ment.
The principal point to establish would be
the baeia upon which to place tho meeting Of
Congress. 1t appcars to Us difficult that
simple negatiou should suffice to form rhe
programme Of such important deliberations.
We should further desire to know how tlls
dcclaration OF the Emperor Nopoleon fela-
tive to tie treaties Of 1915, is to be interpret
cd. We Hesitate to believe that the French
Government itself will attach the most ex-
tended and rigorous sense to this declaration.
It is t1uc that the treaties Of 1915 hayc been
modified In several points. Other in!erna-
tional stipu1atioEs have Ut times taken their
place-as for instance III what relates TO bsi- sE
| gium. That which they contained petsonaly
| WoundIng to the emperor Napoleon Is del-
nntely removed, With the general Acquics-
| ccce of Europe. Eut except in the cases
/ whcle these ancient documents have beea
| formally absogated, we consider them as SUI
subsisting, and it Is certain that they now
fu,m the basis Of public right In europe.
| We do not wish to dispute that the progress
of lime may not have, more or less' ~ !at
certain portions Of their Integrity, anu taas y
/ t1cy may not in consequence stand In need o.
being II affirmed or improved. II the frcnca
Government will poiut out to us the parl6 o.
| this sentence it considers too ue1cct!fe " "
too incomplete-if, at the same time, IL r',t MiH
| notify to US the changes it considers ullsns
Ee uee1ully bade, We shall receive these over
| tures With tic sincere desire Of facilitating
| sn understanding. We shall then, knowing
| tue subject, be nClc to pronounce upon tne
| OF po1tune1css and advantage Of mcetahg IL
Congress 10 accomplish this task-
With the FrercA government Werccosnlzs
and feplorc the state of nneasincss exlstlng
in various parts Of Europe. But this uneast
ncss is only partial, and the remedy Woula 9t
worse than the discaee II, to appeaso cer12li z
| t,onbles it were requisite to throw all FL
rorc in state Of perturbation ~ suo1eetinE
: it 10 q radical transformation
such could not assu1ediy be the desire .
the French Government, which las given q!
in recent times proofs Of perfect moderation
i.et not, besides, forget that tue gnes
ton at present is rather to Prc erye thnn I
rr;yn pcnce 10 EuroEe. The treaty Of Vest
pholie put m end to thirty>yea OF Wa; ~ u
sanguilary contests which proceeded th
trtatirs Of 1915 had lasted for no less period
Tic vast transformations at these Two epoch
Ac-c tic Inevitable consequence OF Ion
coutinuation Of violent agilations to whic
TIC present timo has. thanks to Providence
70 resemblance. In the arrangements Wh!c
. the rrcscnt state Of Europe might hrin
about, effects ought necessarily to he p7ofo
toned to caueGr.
, Be good cucugh, Prince, 10 govern tho c