The Austrian Emperor has created his brother-Sovereign Field-Marshal in the
Austrian Army, and the Imperial speeches at the State banquet, which were written out before- hand, were obviously intended to assure the world that the Triple Alliance still holds firm. The German Emperor indeed said so in so many words, adding that the Alliance, which had
now bound the three nations for twenty years, and "had rooted itself deep in the peoples' convictions," was "the safeguard of the peace of the whole world." Francis Joseph responded cordially, making special mention of " his honoured friend and ally, the King of Italy," and declaring that " by his foster. ing care of that blessed work " (peace) " the Emperor William had, as the valiant custodian of all parts alike of his precious heritage, won for himself undying honour." It is said that his Majesty has privately pressed on the German Court the necessity of keeping on good terms with Great Britain, whose favour is indispensable to Austria as well as Italy in the Mediterranean. The Russians are greatly annoyed at this recementing of the Alliance, which it will be remembered Lord Salisbury once pronounced a thing to be thankful to God for. It is certainly a guarantee of peace, but how deep must be the jealousies and how grasping the ambitions which make such a guarantee a blessing ! A shirt of mail is a protection, but the situation in which it is necessary to sleep in one is not the situation most conducive to rest.
Previous page
