It is probably wise to take with a great many
grains of salt the sensational rumours that violent quarrels have broken out between the Germans and Austrians. No doubt there is a great deal of friction and ill-feeling, but neither Power is in a position to press a quarrel because of bickering generals. They must stick together, at any rate for the present. At the same time, we may discount the stories of the terrible internal condition of the Austrian Empire. Life goes on—in Vienna, at any rate—on normal, or what appear to be, normal lines. These considerations cannot, however, blind us to the fact that if Austria suffers one or two more bad defeats she is almost certain to become more aware than ever before of the dangers of an unhomogeneous nation. The Empire has never been amalgamated, and unamalgamated metal will not stand hard blows.
