While Russia is waiting the attack upon her great Southern
stronghold, the principal interest in the North turns upon the po- sition of the Baltic and German Governments. Something is still going forward, upon the whole probably without any material change in the real attitude of the different Crowns. The King of Denmark perseveres with his anti-constitutional measures ; a fact which shows how strong must be his trust in the support of Russia and in the forbearance of the Allies. He is braving a domestic insurrection, notwithstanding the war off his coasts, and the implied demands of the Western Powers.
The King of Sweden, too, is holding councils with closed doors, impervious to inquiry ; but it is understood that the subject of dis- cussion has been some pressing demands made upon the Government by the Allies,—demands, it would seem, which neither the Go- vernment nor the public opinion of Sweden is yet prepared to sa- tisfy. Since the Swedes can scarcely sympathize with Russia, we must infer from their reluctance that they do not reckon at all upon the returning allegiance of the Finns and that they hold the success of the Allies to be at least doubtful as compared with the probable maintenance of Russia. If so, the fact furnishes no rea- son why the Western Powers should hesitate in their course, but it does suggest increased precautions and efforts to secure success by mustering all the means to attain it.
Prussia continues her course of intrigue to insinuate an increased Russian influence into Germany, and to defeat Austria in the Federal Diet. This is to be more than inferred from the very explicit statement which the Austrian Government has laid before the Diet. In brief, Count Buol shows the Diet, that there is no room for trusting Russia, who professed peace on the Danube as much as she now does on the Pruth ; who broke her promise when it miffed her convenience; • and who has given no new ex- planations, surrendered no claims, furnished no guarantees. On
the contrary, the pretence that the evacuation of the Principalities was a political concession, stamps with transparent double-dealing the conduct of that power, which had already announced the evacuation on military grounds. The Austrian Minister not only adheres to the four conditions preliminary to any negotiation of peace, but speaks of them as having been fixed by the influence of Austria in common with France and England. The German States are reminded that the checks upon the encroachment of Russia are for German as well as Austrian interests ; they are in- vited to support the Imperial Government ; and, declining to enter into any discussion of differences as between Austria and Prussia Count Buol reminds King Frederick William, as well as the Diet, that the aid of Prussia to defend Austria against Russian attack on her German territory is secured "in the most binding manner." If an English or a French Minister had been invited to define the position of Austria with her German neighbours, according to the Western sense of her pledges and responsibilities, the statement could not have been more explicit or more cogent. It is clear that Austria makes no retreat, and is not prepared to accommodate Prussia in shuffling.
