NEWS OF THE WEEK.
PRINCE BISMARCK still continues, through the North- German Gazette, his polemic with the Russian Press. He repeats emphatically that Alexander IL did in 1876 cede Bosnia and the Herzegovina—which were not his property—to Francis Joseph, on condition of Austrian neutrality in a Russo-Turkish war. The Paris correspondent of the Times, who is often em- ployed by diplomatists, publishes two statements in confirma- tion of this story, in one of which it is affirmed that the Treaty was actually signed by the two Emperors in a railway-carriage, while travelling from Ems; and in the other it is stated that General Gourko was ordered to occupy Constantinople, but the order was intercepted by the Turks, and countermanded in con- sequence of a threat from London. When the Congress of Berlin met, Austria claimed her provinces, and, says the North-German Gazette, " the assent of the Russian Chancellor was complete, voluntary, and unhesitating." Such an assent would have been impossible unless a previous agreement had existed. We have commented elsewhere upon the light which this story throws upon the European situation, but may add here that the Russian journals do not admit for a moment that Germany was guiltless in the matter. Their view is that Prince Bismarck stood behind Count Andrassy all through, suggested the bargain, and helped him to secure it, though Russia had not received her equivalent in full.
