to increase her military force. It was only at the end of July last that her preparations were nearly completed, and I remember perfectly well at the end of the session that I stated, in answer to a question from the hon. member for Montrose (whose absence this evening I lament)—that I said, that though Austria was pledged not to make any arrangement with Russia, except on certain bases that had been laid down, she was by no means pledged to undertake a war in conjunction with the Maritime Powers (Hear, hear). She has now gone a step further, but has not gone as far as she is expected to go, if peace be not restored at the end of the year (Hear, hear). She has agreed with us that, if she should be at war with Russia, a treaty offensive and defensive should ipso facto exist between Austria, England, and France (Hear). She has likewise agreed that, before the end of the year, she will take into further consideration what steps she will be prepared to take with respect to the terms of peace with Russia (Hear). Now, I understand the meaning of that article, certainly, as not containing anything very precise ("Hear, hear," from the Opposition). I understand, however, the meaning of that article to be, that if England and France shall purpose conditions of peace which are in conformity with the four bases, and which seem to Austria to come within the terms of those bases, and if Russia shall refuse her assent to such treaty of peace, then Austria will no longer hesitate, but take part in the alliance, and that an offensive and defensive alliance will take place (Hear, hear). I do not wish to overstate the engagement in any way; and I admit that Austria might still, at the last moment, say that the terms would reduce Russia too much, and diminish too greatly her weight in Europe, and that she could never be expected to agree to them. Such might be her language. She leaves herself at liberty to say this without any breach of faith; and one of the last things I should wish to do would be to impute to Austria a breach of faith, if ultimately she did not form part of the Alliance; but my explanation is that she does concur with us in respect to the bases that are absolutely necessary for the security of Turkey; and that, if Russia does not consent to a treaty of peace on those bases, then that in the next campaign the forces of Austria will be joined with those of England and France (Hear). It may be said that we should have got far better terms; but we could not enforce terms on an independent Power; and it is better to have such a treaty with Austria rather than leave Austria unconnected with us, and without any ties to bind her to us (Hear). That more strongly the people of France (Hear, hear) ...

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The Address was o'clock.

HOU

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