Apart from the immediate field of battle, the foreign intelligence
of any moment relates almost exclusively to the hostile position of the greater Powers. Austria has contributed another. note, exactly in the same tone as the series which she has addressed to the German Diet, effectually exposing the shuffling plea that i Prussia had put in. The chief object of this new note s to show that, however Prussia may disguise it, German interests are menaced, " so long as Russia does not give guarantees for the res- toration of a sure and lasting peace." But, accepting the signs of retractation on the part of Prussia, the Austrian Government plainly intimates that it will be prepared to act independently, and may perhaps bring forward " only such propositions as are adapted to accord the situation of the Bund with her own."
While Austria is maintaining her position with consistency and firmness, the indications that she is about to be threatened by a hostile movement from. Russia are noticed in Germany : the Allgemeine Zeitung points to the advance of the Imperial Guards from St. Petersburg to Warsaw, and the raising of new levies in Russia, as signs that the Gallician frontier of Austria is to be attacked, or at least menaced in such a manner as might oblige Austria to take the initiative in attack ; and the neutraljour- nal presents these facts as proving that the German states have an interest in standing by Austria to defend the boundaries of the Federation. Thus the plot thickens on the Austro-Russian frontier, and the position of Prussia becomes every day more critical.
While the relations of the great European Powers are growing more complicated, another Power for the first time appears upon the field, though still in a modest attitude. A conference of American Ministers has already assembled on neutral territory, for the purpose, it is understood, of bringing together informa- tion from the different states in order that they may lay that information before the President of the American Republic, and so prepare the Government at Washington for presenting itself in any future congress to settle the relations of Europe. The Ambassadors to England and France have arrived at the confer- ence, and Mr. Soule is not absent. The simple event is pregnant with meaning for the future. .
