The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-01
EUR0PE'S SUSPENSE.
lsnatisf Returning Unsuccessful
from Vienna.
,ANDRASSY INTRACTABLE
A Grave Solution Of the Diff.
Guilty Imminent.
FRANCE IN A NEW POSITION
Can Her Fleet Be Pitted Against
That of England?
is 1T BISMARCK'S HAND {?
England Must Withdraw Her Fleet or
is IT BISMARCK'S HAND /?
England Must Withdraw Her Fleet or
Russia SeiZeS STEAMBOAT.
A CRISIS AT HAND.
The Gar Preparing To Take His Place
Among His Troops.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD

ST.. PETERsBoRa, March 81, 1873
It is admitted in high official circles here
that the visit of General Ignatieff to Vienna
for the purpose of gaining over Count
Andrassy to the Russian side has proved
failure The fact is variously regarded,
but nothing has SO far occurred that would
indicate any change in the Russian pro-
gramme. In fact, any receding from the
position hitherto assumed would be ex-
tremely unpopular with all classes of the
Russian people. General Ignatieff returns
to st. Petersburg, without going to England,
as was originally intended.
GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION
The general situation here is very dis
quieting and great uneasiness as to the flu
ture is expressed by persons high in the
confidence of the government. It is felt
that grave solution Of the Eastern diff
Guilty is imminent, and that the next few
weeks will be pregnant with events that
will materially affect all Europe. This feel
ing is mainly due to the return of General
Ignatieff to Russia without having, up to
the latest advices. obtained any serious con-
cession from Austria.
RUSSIA DECIDED TO HOLD FIRM.
Coupled with this news Of the unfrien dly
attitude of Austria is the fact that the Rus
sian government is more than ever decided
to remain firm in its demands and to push
matters to extremes, so that the outlook is
warlike in the extreme. The amour propre
of the Gar will not allow him to yield any
thing, and the feeling of the people is such
that any concessions to the other Powers
might produce serious consequences. 1t is
felt on all sides that war cannot be averted,
and the only question seems to be as to the
Powers that will take part in it.
THE FRENCH FLEET MUST BE SECURED.
Calculations have been made here of the
strength Of the fleets ofthe whole world with
o view to possible contingencies. The result
Isl belief in the almost indispensable neces-
sity Of obtaining the aid of the French fleet
against England. This conclusion having
been arrived at it is necessary to devise
means of securing France, and it is thought
that one has been hit upon.
FRANCES ALTERNATIVE.
If General Ignatieff should, at the last
moment, succeed at Vienna, tho plan de-
cided on to secure the cooperation of
France is be to place before the French
government the following alternative
"You must either abstain from the Congress
and thus act on the sideof England against
the whole Of Europe, or come to the Con-
gress and agree to abide by the conse-
quences, whatever they may be-
WILL. FRANCE COMMIT HERSELF?
BY this means it is hoped that France would
be forced to abandon her present attitude
of absolute neutrality and declare herself
on one side or the other before any decisive
step is taken. 1t is not improbable that the
hand of Bismarck may be traced in this
proposition but such is the intention should
Ignatieff succeed with Andrassy.
THE SWORD OF DRESsus.
In consequence of her reserved attitude
great irritation prevails here against France,
as it is felt that by remaining neutral while
half of Europe would be exhausting itself
in gigantic war, the influence of France
would DO enormously increased and her
power, to great extent, restored. While
she is standing silently watching the conflict
she could decide at o critical moment to
throw her sword into whatever side of the
scale best suited her interests, and thus
determine the result.
SEEKING AN ENTENTE WITH GERMANY.
If Ignatieff fails entirely, as it is believed
here he must, it is now thought he will re-
turn by way Of Berlin for the purpose of
efecting an understanding with the German
government, SO that Russia may know what
to expect from that very important quarter,