The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-05
STATEMENT OF THE SITUATION.
THE AUSTRo-GERMAN TREATY
WHY IT WAS PUBLISHED.
Its Aim is to Force the Gar to an I'm
mediate War or Compel Him to Sub
nit to Terms for Permanent Peace.

Copyright, ISIS, by the n. Y. Associated Press.l
BERLIN, February Awhile the semi
official press affects to regard the publ
cation of the Austro-GermanE treaty as
having a pacific intent, official and dip
lomatic circles know that its real aim is
to force the Gar to an immediate war or
compel him to submit to terms for per-
manent peace dictated by the allies. The
substance of the treaty has long been
known to both the Russian and French
Governments. AT the time of its incep-
ton at the conference between Bis
marck and Count Andrassy at Gastein,
in August, 1879, confidential disclosures,
stating the character of the compact,
were made by Bismarck to the Gar as
an inducement to break off the negotia-
tion for the Russo-French alliance. The
day after the treaty was signed Prince
Bismarck made a personal communica-
ton of the fact TO both the French and
Russian Ambassadors withholding only
the exact terms of the treaty. The pubIi-
cation reveals nothing to any European
Government. Before disclosing it TO the
people the step was anxionsly and re-
peatedly discussed by Bismarck, Count
Kalnoky and Herr Won Tisza. The
Austrian Ministerial Council, the EN-
perior presiding, consented to the publi-
cation of the treaty only last week, upon
urgent representatives from Bismarck
that the time was opportune.
BIsMARCK's SIGNIFICANT UTrERANcE.
Its appearance at the present juncture
recalls the utterance of Bismarck when
he was reproached in the Reichstag for
refusing to submit to that body certain
diplomatic correspondence, "Once a
government determines to publish i'm
portant documents" he said, "matters
should have gone so far that nothing
but war is likely to be the outcome of
the situation" By the light of this
| memorable statement the immense
significance of the publication of the
treaty at the present crisis will be seen.
| 1t is the step which precedes an ultima
| tum. If Russia continues to push for
ward masses of troops menacing the
strategic points on the frontier, and if
| the pending negotiations for an offensive
| and defensive alliance with France
should succeed, the central powers will
| not wait the convenience of the French
and Russion Governments to declare
war. The crisis therefore nears the
| climax.
STRAIN OF THE SITUATION.
| Bismarck in his speech in the Reich,
tag on Monday may place peaceful in
depreciation upon the motives of the.pub-
lication of the treaty, but nothing he can
say is expected to lessen the strain of the
situation. The Gar must give practical
assurances of peace or abide by an early
war, and judging by all that is known
of his character and the ministerial influ
ence now dominating him, the Car viii
not yield.
Count Schouvaloff, Russian ambassa
dor to Germany, is in st. Petersburg at
tending the annual court. He will re
turn to Berlin tomorrow and will Sc
Bismarck before the meeting of tn
Reichstag on Monday.
THE DEBATE WILL BE BRIEF.
Debate on the military bill will bt
brief unless the Progressist and Sociahs
tic malcontents insist upon talking. Al
the great parties have agreed to mas
their sense of the situation by disposinl
OF the measure without delay.
BISMARCK HAS SEEN THEM.
The report of Bismarck's conferenc
with the leaders of the governmen
groups was not accurate, but the Chay
cellor has seen them separately durin
the week and given them convincing il
formation of the necessity that no pal
liamentary check be placed upon I'll
, passage of the measure.
, THE CHICAGO, ATLANTA AND BOSTO,