, 1877-01-13

sollern, feels himself at liberty to follow Russia.
and the decision leaves Russia free to press
her demands, and even to follow them up by a
declaration of war. Prince Bismarck speciA-
oally states that he regards such a war as
" probable" and that he does not intend to
interpose bis veto. Germany is seeking the
same objects in Turkey as Russia, and cannot
forbid her to employ force. Indeed, said the
German Chancellor, with an emphasis visible
aven 10 a translation of his words, " as long as
We stand upon this place you will never sue.
coed 10 making a rent in our friendship with
Russia, q friendship which has lasted for oentu.
tles, and is based upon history" "Events
alone could break that friendship" And he
specially mentioned, according to other less
detailed reports, that in this utterance be
and bis Emperor were entirely in accord. This
means, of course, that if Russia invades Bulga.
ria, German troops will remain passive, or, as
she Prince himself puts 1t, Germany will strive
only TO looalise and not to prevent the war.
He trusts that England will rot fight, or will
fight only non. officially - that is, by allowing
Englishmen to command the Turkish Fleet
and be adds words which it may yet prove
are intended TO prevent Austria from fighting.
It Is upon these words that most difference
Of opinion will arise. In the Reichstag Prince
BismarCk only expressed strong friendship for
Austria, declared In the most emphatic manner
that the alliance Of the three Empires was in.
taCt-adding, with one of his haughtiest sneers,
SO the reporter Of the STANDARD testi6es, to
Deputy Richter, who had raised the discussion.
Ii will take o stronger man than you to break
lt,"-and repudiated in The most explicit Ian.
guage any idea of desiring the German terri.
tories of Austria. But at the previous Parlia.
mRntary dinner be is reported to have used
moob stronger expressions, expressions which,
If correctly understood. amount to a positive
guarantee of the Austrian Empire, in its full
territorial extent, in the event of attack. As
1t Is supposed in this country that this attack
can come only from Russia, this is naturally
understood to mean that whatever course the
var may take, Germany will not allow Austria
to be defeated and if this Interpretation Il
accurate, and the existing Ministry continue TO
govern Austria, this sentence might immensely
encourage tho Pashas, who already are invit.
Ing Austria to occupy Bosnia and the Herzego.
Vlna, as she can most easily do. But the words
are susceptible also Of another Interpretation,
which, to US at Least, seems the more probable.
Prince Bismarck knows Vienna thoroughly
knows that the HaLs6urgs are Dot anti SIav,'
knows that their main fear is lest a Slavic
Federation should attract their VI Slavs, es.
pecially In DAlmatia, and he guarantees Aus.
tria against that danger. The present terrific.
rial distribution must continue, as far as Aus.
1ria 10 concerned. There is no need. he
says. ID fact, for an English alliance. for
We will protect you against all territorial
l0Sses. Prince Bismarck, whatever his
defects, is at least not a weak man and for
him to pledge himself formally and In public
to support Russian demands at the Conference,
and then guarantee Austria against the con.
sequences Of resisting those demands, would
be almost absurd. His wishes may be difficult
to discover, but at least be wishes that the
cause which he Intends to support should win.
He Is not incapable of guile, but the kind Of
guile which orders the German Ambassador to
support Russian demands, and winks to the
Austrian Ambassador to resist them. and states
both the order and the wink in public and before
q Parliament, Is not a Prince Bismarck's. What
he may decide to do hereafter il the war spreads
or If grand territorial changes should b. CON
selnplated, is another matter, which will de-
pend upon many contingencieS,-as, for instance.
the health of the aged soldier who, and not
Prince Bismarck, 10 the last resort decides the
foreign policy of Germany but for the present
bis object Is. We believe, to ~localise the struggle,
to allow Russia to exhaust herself more or less
IN . new effort to break the Ottoman sword,
and then. in alliance with Austria, if possible,
to dictate the final settlement of the Eastern
Question. If be has to dictate it by an appeal
to force. be will imperativsly need an ally to
protect him against the one danger be really
dreads,-a warm and determined alliance be.
tween Paris and st. Patarahnr0. "A woll "a