The Conference of the Russian, Austrian, and German Chan- ce]lors,
called at Berlin to consider Turkish affairs, commenced on Tuesday. Prince Gortachakoff, Count Andrassy, and Prince Bismarck are all attended by the permanent heads of their de- partments, Count Andrassy being further aided by the experience of Baron Hiibner, and the conversations are very long. Their real object has not transpired, beyond the fact that the Chancellors in- tend, if possible, to decide on a common, definite policy in regard to Turkey, and the security to be given to the Christians. It will be most difficult, as we have argued elsewhere, to discover any line of action on which the Powers can agree, unless it be to secure autonomy for any Christian province which revolts success- fully; but Prince Bismarck is scarcely the man to let so im- portant a meeting, announced with such pomp, pass without adequate results. We may be sure that he is considering Ger- many, and not Turkey, or the world either, but his own view of the immediate interest of Germany is as obscure as ever. He may desire time, or an alliance with Russia, or an alliance with Austria, or an agreement among the three Powers, and he has hitherto carefully left himself unfettered.
Previous page
