NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE reports about the Austro-German Treaty have become more definite. It is now stated semi-officially that the views cntertained by Prince Bismarck and Count Andrassy, being found to be identical, were reduced to writing, and signed by the Austrian Emperor. The German Emperor at first 'hesitated to sign, but the entire Prussian Ministry, after 'hearing an explanation from the Chancellor, sided with him ; and the Emperor, after the usual threat from Prince Bis- marck that he would resign, allowed himself to be per- suaded. The contents of this important document are not known, but it is certain that the alliance is defensive, and that it has excited suspicion and annoyance both in Paris and St. Petersburg. It is believed, on good grounds, that an arrangement has been made for a commercial alli- ance between the Empires, iuto which the States of the Balkan are to be allowed to enter. It is also believed, though on less sound authority, that the " protocol e contains clauses guaranteeing Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria. The general effect of the Treaty is to leave both France and Russia isolated, and to combine all Central Europe for military defensive purposes into one vast monarchy.
