M. de Giers has finished his visit to Paris, apparently
not qnite satisfactorily, a cue having been given to the Press
to minimise its importance, which, however, would have been done even if he had carried a Franco-Russian treaty in his pocket. He has also visited Berlin, and has conversed with the Emperor for half-an-hour and with General Caprivi for an hour, apparently to the increase of their confidence in peace. At least, the Emperor told some recruits shortly after- wards that they would probably only be able to display their courage in peaceful operations. The truth seems to be, that M. de Giers had some object which all concerned think it expedient to keep secret, but which can hardly have had a direct reference to a definite arrangement for peace even for a short period,—first, because he paid no visit to Vienna ; and secondly, because half the benefit of such an arrangement would be lost by the absence of publicity. The world must wait, with what fortitude it can.
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