, 1888-01-28

@'O NSOAA CDNC ~
the immediate withdrawal Of the troops
from the frontier. No such Instructions
have been given, and therefore the situation
remains unchanged, only it must not be
forgotten that a p~rolongation of the present
strained state Of affairs will increase the
difficulties of a pacific issue.
In my last nights depatch I mentioned
the arrival at Belgrade of the Russian mill
tary attach6 from Bucharest, and of an official
from the Central Asian Department at St.
Petersburg. According to an interesting COM
municatioG published in to-day's Neue Freie
preSSe innumerable Russian agents are over
running Servia, and Panslavist agitation is
reported throughout the country. A secreta-
ny of the Russian Legation at Bucharest has,
it appears, taken funds to distribute amongst
the Bulgarian emigrants. In fact, Servia is
evidently once more about to become a centre
of Russia activity and intrigue. There is
somebody whom all this concerns in a far
greater measure than the Austrian Govern
ment, and that is King Milan himself. He
is in a very uncomfortable position. 1t is
impossible that he should have any great
confidence IN his present Ministry. The Ser
Wan Premier, at all events, is known to be q
devoted partisan of Russia. The Kings
popularity is not very deeply rooted, and
he is certainly not better liked at St. Peters
burg than was Prince Alexander of Batten-
burg. He has, however, d remarkably
strong sense of seltpreservatiOn, which will
perhaps enable him without the assistance
of Austria to keep the Panslavi8ts down.
The Austro-Polis press is beginning to
discuss the eventuality of war seriously.
The leading Polish organ, the Gas, says
eve should be the last to counsel war but
if the interests Of the State require it, we
should, in common with the other parts Of
the monarchy, do our duty heartily without
any national Illusions" The Pree9I0Rd is
Of opinion that an exclusively military cam
paign cannot produce a result that would
correspond to the sacrifices and cost it would
involve. The conditions that would be ne
cessary to justify war would be a fixed pro
gramme with a clearly defined tendency to
stave off the Russian danger permanently,
also the distinct understanding that Austria's
allies would co operate with her till the end
OF the campaign.
Berlin, Dec. %.
I have today received information from q
most trustworthy source according to which
the aspect Of affairs has changed completely,
and for the better. The language now used
by the Russian Government leads Count
IdliI'hJ w DClICNC ClIdO u IuUGllJIOIlS airs
not aggressive; the Cabinet of the Gar is on
its side also, fully persuaded that the Aus
trian Government is only following a policy
of peace. This is the first time, also, for
weeks that a diplomatist has ventured to
speak to me of a chance of peace without the
addition Of some gloomy qualifications.
Though no official statement to that effect
has as yet been made, SO far as | am aware,
l am assured also by the same high authority
that it is not unlikely that pacific assurances
will shortly be exchanged by the Cabinets of
Vienna and st. Petersburg. "There will be
a shout of Joy throughout all Europe" was
the remark made to me this afternoon, eff
these tidings prove true" eff only the Gear
will not stop at mere assurances, but will
cease increasing his ornaments on the from
tier, then we may look forward to a time of
quiet added another eminent diplomatist,
who, from the beginning of the ''scare," has
never been able to persuade himself that the
question would develop into hostilities.
There is, moreover, I am able to add, eve
ry chance now of a satisfactory adjustment
of the differences between St. Petersburg
and Vienna, as the Cabinets in both these
capitals are now disposed to settle them
amicably but it is important to note, first,
that Bulgaria is not referred to in this adjust
ment, and that no separate agreement Of any
kind is contemplated between Russia and