The judgment of the European Press upon Prince Bismarck's speech
can hardly be gathered, the journalists, like the states- men, being too cautions to speak openly. The journalists of Paris all affect to consider the speech peaceful ; but their comments are palpably influenced by some hint from the Government ad- vising the strictest moderation. In Vienna, the newspapers are favourable, out of hostility to France, but with the reserve that Austria is not sufficiently guaranteed against Russia ; while in St. Petersburg, the newspapers disbelieve in the Chancellor's assurances. The general tone, in fact, is that everything is peaceful, and that, consequently, preparations for war should be pushed on with the utmost energy. Nowhere is there a sign that the tension of the situation has been lightened, or that the probability of war is considered diminished. It is observed, however, as it has been throughout all recent difficulties, that the financiers expect no immediate outbreak of hostilities, and that, in spite of constant expenditure and frequent alarms, the European Funds maintain their unreasonably high level. The deduction is that the great capitalists are aware that war is not to come yet ; but, well informed as they are, these gentlemen have sometimes been mistaken.
Previous page
