Year: 1870

Cabinet Circular on the War Crlsis-Neu:rai,


but Independent aud Prepared.


The following Is the text OF the despatch Count
Beust forwarded on the war crisis to the diplomatic
agents abroad OF the Austro-Hungarian empire. II
says


AS soon as the candidature of the Prince OF Hohen
Zollcrn to the throne OF Spain took turn menaci,1
the tranquility OF Europe the preservation or peace
was the solo object OF our efforts. we could not
think OF assuming the Part OF an arbitrator IN the
conflict that had burst out so suddenly and 1t would
not have become us to pass Judgment on the value
Most OF the Cabinets, without any concert,
have taken an identical attitude. and the
imperial and royal government associated it.
self with the efforts made from several quarters
to arrive at q pacific solution. Absorbed by that
task, to which we devoted our active zeal, and, In
until now 10 adopt the attitude that commended
itself to US should war become inevitable between
rel. However, we must admit now, with deep re-
gret, that our own efforts and those made by the
other Powers nave not any further chance OF sue.
pushed to such pitch that the b0undless passions
leave no ground for an efllcaclous mediation. the
declaration OF war by France has reached Berlin,
and IN lace of so decisive TACT, cannot delay any
longer to give you the you are toolow-
Instructions dictated by tne interests and the dig
we have not anS 1er r. prsyenng for
dreadful pertul baton which VIII be the ineyIt.
able result of the collision between two powerful
nations at least we wish to lessen violence TO
G.t1iu tIdt cuu iHpCIidl anu royal government
must con1ne Itself, during the actual hostlties TO
passive attitude, and observe the neutrality com.
maLded by such an attitude. True, that attitude
does not exclude the duty OF watching over the secu-
ry OF the monarchy and of protecting Its interests
by placing ourselves In such situation to save
1t from every possible danger We see Countries
whose position Is guaranteed by international
stipulation, and who are rot slow, notw!thstand-
ing, to make considerable sacrifices to be enabled to
meet every contingency and to protect themselves
Such examples ought not 10 pass without any notice.
for they prove how vide is the conviction that 1t
is not enough to remain neutral, unless neutral
countries are ready TO cause their independence
TO be respected In case OF need. Most assuredy
In circumstances such as those In which we gre
placed feebleness as well passion can be source
OF danger for the countries well as for the govern
ents. There are two shoals that nation ought 10
AVOID in order not to be repu.sed from the way
traced by her own interests The Austro- Hungarian
empire must resist any pressure, must be deaf 10
any sudden feeling II 1t wishes to remain the mas
ter of Its destinies II wishes not to he left to the
mercy OF events. The sncercst desire OF the I'M
perlal and royal governments Is to preserve the
monarchy from the eventualites to which great
portion OF Europe is exposed We Shall not cease to
have that object IN view and all the measures we are
taking dictated solely by the wish to secure in
the meantime the calmnes5 and the interests of the
nations OF Europe. Won BEUST.