The Vienna correspondent of the Times contributes to Wednesday's issue
a most remarkable account of the way in which German activity is revolutionising the trade of the Levant and of the Near East, and is affecting, or rather destroying, the position of Austria. At present that trade is in the hands of three Powers,—Austria, France, and England. if, in the end, Germany, by the use of political influence at Constantinople, manages to oust Austria altogether, the political results may be not only serious, but quite unexpected. Germany has already deeply wounded Russia by what we might almost call the reckless prosecution of her schemes in Asia Minor, and has, indeed, nearly succeeded in making Russia regard Germany as her chief rival. If the same result is achieved in the case of Austria, Germany may before long find herself in a position not far removed from isolation. In that case friendship with the Sultan and railway concessions in Asia Minor will have been dearly purchased.
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