A statement has been published at Vienna which, transmitted as
it was through Renter, has attracted attention from all Europe. The Preen there states that Prince Bismarck had directed General von Schweinitz to ask M. de Giers for explana- tions as to General Skobeleff's recent speech, which contains reflections both on Germany and Austria. M. de Giers repu- diated all knowledge of that speech, and was then informed that unless the Russian Government would repress the Panslav attacks on Austria, the German Government might recall its Ambassador, the "interests of Germany and Austria being identical." This story has been denied in Berlin, Vienna, and St. Petersburg, but in the latter place with an acknowledgment that unofficial communications have passed. The German papers, at the same time, are making such attacks on Russia as suggest permission to make them, and we imagine the truth to be this. Strong non-official remonstrances have been addressed to the Russian Government, not for intriguing against Austria, but for allowing M. Aksakoff and his Pan- Slays to do so; and that Government has, in consequence, rebuked General Skobeleff, and warned the Press. These con- cessions having been made, the official newspapers, under the influence of Prince Bismarck, in the regular way, deny that any remonstrances were forwarded at all. We have elsewhere noticed how rapidly the situation in Servia might become dangerous, if Austria threatened the State.
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