The rumours that the three Emperors will meet towards the
close of the month at some point in Russian Poland, not yet revealed, are gradually acquiring consistency, and are probably true. The three Chancellors will, it is said, accompany their masters; and speculations on the Continent as to the object of the meeting are, of course, active. They are probably useless ; but it is evident, as the German and Austrian Emperors are in full accord, that the end must be some arrangement with the Czar which will ensure either peace or common action for some -definite end. The former is the more probable, as peace is the common interest ; that of the German Emperor, because be is old; that of the Austrian Emperor, because nothing is ripe for his march southward; and that of the Czar, because of his internal difficulties. Peace can be maintained for a time by an honest agreement to move no troops over the frontiers, and to compel the smaller States of the Balkans to observe the same rule. It is possible, moreover, that the advisability -of concessions in Russia may be discussed. They were stopped when Alexander III. mounted the throne, in part by advice from Berlin ; and the Czar must be very weary of the situa- tion. There can be little comfort in being regarded as a sort of .deity over those cold plains, when you cannot leave your house without an army to protect you. Men bear that position, as Irish experience shows; but they are very eager to be out of it. 'The three most powerful Sovereigns in Europe will meet with as many precautions and in as much secrecy as if they were -conspirators.
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