The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-05

| by the document that is called England's
ultimatum. though we are inclined to re-
! gard this document as SO little ultimate
that, but for the Hibernicism we should
say England will probably issue several
more ..ultimntums" before she fights.
there will be great many moro 'iast
words" before we get the first blow. Indeed,
this document is rather in the nature
| of the loud defiance of Chanticleer,
delivered from a proud position on
the top rail, ut moment when ne
has reason to believe that rival and an
enemy is within sound OF his voice. And
the sequence will be appropriate to that
resemblance. There will be defiance and
counter defiance, challenge and reply, many
times repeated before all intervening obsta-
| cles ar. overcome and the gallant combat
ants rush to the encounter and meet body
to body in mid air. Prince Gortschakoff is
| to deliver an answer forthwith which, 1t is
| said, will satisfy Austria as to those points
| Of the treaty in regard to which she hesitates
| and will be ian ultimatum tor England.
Here again. perhaps. the word ultimatum IS
| to be understood less in its proper sense
than as the designation of document pre-
sumed to be grave, severe, critical and more
or less unanswerable. Thus by England'sex-
ample the situation bids fair TO be discussed
in tho absence Of the congress as amply as
it would have been if that project had not
failed, with a difference in favor of publicity
and fair play. Instead OF small circle of
titled personages chatting in musty room
in Berlin or in a sunshiny parlor at Baden
Baden, and settling by their personal antip-
athies and MISUNDERSTANDING the fate OF
half million soldiers, whose lives are on
the hazard of the die, and the future posses
sion Of southeastern Europe, the case is heard
in the open air-plead in the full day,
with the civilized world as audience and
chorus England utilities the press for
grand occasion, and appeals to it to redress
beam that was against her, as tried by the
tests Of diplomacy. She has presented her
case in her own note in downright terms,
and if the Russian answer is not less direct
and explicit the British Foreign Secretary
is at least man who can take what comes in
that way without wry faces. Our news sus-
tains the opinion that Ignatieff did not fail
ut Vienna, as the British correspondents re-
ported he did. He has done what was pos
sible to clear up the case between the two
capitals, and if iull confidence may be put
in the statement that the Russian Chan
cellor is not averse to war it must be sup
posed that he believes Austria will not be
with England against Russia, even If we re-
ceiye with doubt the rumor Of Tchernaiefs
new mission.
| As the interests come out more sharply in
discussion it is seen how important may be
the position Of Germany. From Berlin are
gwen out precisely balanced opinions.
Words are printed and many Of them that
favor Russia's views ; but no sooner do these
see the light than haste is made as If to es-
tablish the lost equilibrium Of diplomatic
world to put forth the same number OF
words as nearly as may be in a precisely con-
trary sense. SO diligently and skilfully is
this done that the policy of Germany is
known merely from the declaration that it
will stir only in regard to German interests.
Yet rs German interests will certainly be
involved if three great Powers are at war
in Europe, that declaration has only
whetted curiosity to know what Ger
man interests will seem to the Colossus
worthy military attention, and whose house
will be in danger when the moment comes
to which that declaration perhaps looked
forward. Is it the Germany that is within
the artificial circle of the Austro-Hun-
garan monarchy to which the Man of Iron
turns his eyes? Is it the Germany that is
over the Russian frontier, an Eastern ana
logue OF Alsace-Lorraine? Or is it that
tempting acreage on the sea-that fiat and
pleasant pathway to the maritime world
that lies between the great Empire and its
commercial future? Whose hands do they
especially wish to see tied by great war
Austra's, Russia's or England's? That is
| the one great enigma Of the situation
in Europe to-day If that point were
known it would insure peace. Unknown
it leaves open all the possibilities of war.
That is the reason why it is not known.
At any moment declaration made in Ber-
lin would shut up all the arsenals. More
than that, q maladroit phrase which would
give any clear indication of German pur-
pose to be pursued in the event Of war-that
should point out tho prey to be swooped
upon when the hands OF those who might
in.erpose are otherwise engaged-would be
rs effectual as declaration. But neither
is the declaration made, nor can the hint be
caught by those who have watched
two years to hear it. England has
stood in fear that time, and is no
wiser now than in 1876, when she apollo
gized to Prince Bismarck for discourteous
reference to him made by the English
Prime Minister in bellicose bit of bun
combe over the walnuts and the wine. Ger
many is the Sphinx Of the hour, and they
cannot guess her. They will not all be
eaten up AS q consequence, but some Of