New-York tribune., 1871-12-14
pRJNCELY PUGNISTS.

In anita of tho compliments exchangcu Oo'
tween Bcrlin and St. Petersburg on every
OCCASION of ceremony. it is evident that
constantly increasing coolness exists between
tho courfs of the EnperOrs Of Germany anu
Ruua;a Tho tone Of paternsl affection assumed
lv tbe uncle and the attitude OF reverence
and esteem affected by 1,e nephew arc plainly
dc.titute of any heartiness. 1t is clearly
r,cooni,ed in both Cabinets that there are
several important questions now pending which
are pregnant of the gravest possibilities to the
two colossal monarchics. The cordial under
standing between Austria and Prussia gives
the latter Power for tho first time an
especial interest in preserving the present
status on the lower Danube. The proba-
bility that the Andrassy Cabinet may
attempt to put an end to tho Panslavistlc agi'
tation in Austria, by granting fuller liberty
To the Poles of Galicia, naturally excites tho
Jealous susceptibility Of the Russian Govern
mcnt, who fear that such action may spread
into their own borders the cOntagiOn OF dis
content and revolt. Tho threatening con-
dition of affairs on tho Baltic We have already
adycrted TO. While among all these questions
there is a. yet none which gives reason TO ap-
prehend an immediate suspensiOn of alnicable
relations, yet taken altogether they are
enough to tnge the intercourse of tho
two governments with a certain shade OF dis
trust and reserve. The calamity to Europe
and to civilization which would result from
collision between the two greatest military
poSers in tho world, is q sufficient guarantee
OF tho intentions Of the statesmen OF both
Courts to avoid every unnecessary pretext OF
Misunderstanding. 1t may fairly be presumed
that only the pressure Of strong public opin-
ion, or of an irresistible national tendency,
could force Russia and Germany into war.
One OF those grotesque Incidents trivial in
themselves but sbs,,rdly important in view
Of attending circumstances. which sometimes
prove tie occasion Of great events, is to-day
reported from St. Petersburg. The Caro-
witch Alexander, q young man whose temper
! is said to he stronger than his Judgment on
| Tuesday committed tie insuferable folly and
| vulgarity of personally assa,lting tho Prince Of
Re,lss, ambassador Of Germany in Russia. Tho
discussion which led To this extraordinary con-
clusion is SAID to have had DO political sig
nficance. 1t was probably, az ia usual with
tho disputes Of princes and diplomats,
| matter of vino or cards. But it is scarcely
| possible that 80 diSgraceful scene between
the hoir to the throne Of all the Russias and
the representative Of the Emperor of Germany
should not bring with it at least temporary
coolness between tho two Courts. Prince
Henry VII. of Reuss 10 one of the most bril-
liant and promising Of the younger
school of Continental dlplomatists. The
late Emperor Of France was 40 pleased With
his address and demeanor, in visit which
| the Prince made to Paris few years ago.
that he set on foot an intrigue TO replace
| with him tho able and faithful Count de
| Golts The intrigue failed through the resist
ance of Bismarck, and tho Prince was soon
after appointed 10 St. Petersburg. Ho hsa
made tho most favorable impression there. 1t
il hard to SEQ how ho can remain any longer
at post where such an affront has been
put upon him. He cannot, consistently with
diplomatic traditions, challenge the Caro-
witch. reconciliation undor the circum-
stances would seem almost equally difficult.
Whether he goes or stays, the result of the
passage at arms will not be to the advantage
OF the good understanding between Russia and
Germany. If mild snubbing administered to
Benedeti at Ems was, az Napoleon thought,
reason enough for great war. it would not
be easy to compute the proper reparatiOn due
for a blow by which the eye of Germany was
constructively pat in mourning.