Diplomatists are greatly, and, as we conceive, justly excited about
the meetings between the Emperors of Germany and Austria. The first took place at Iscbl on the 11th, and the second was to take place at Gastein on the 17th. At the first no politicians were present, but the second was to be attended by Prince Bismarck and Count Benet. The Prince is attended by his chief Secretary, Herr Lothar Bucher, a little known but most important person, whose presence implies real business. It is believed in Germany that the object of the meeting is to decide on a common plan of action in Roumania, and we have elsewhere tried to explain the dangers that plan may involve. The best security against action is perhaps the position of Austrian finance, but we note rumours that M. Thiers has informed the Budget Committee that the ex- penditure on the. Army must be greatly increased. The Viennese explanation of the meeting is that it is all in the interest of per- manent peace, and no doubt the two Emperors, if allied, aro so nearly irresistible, that most of their objects, whatever they are, may be obtained without war.
