The meeting of the Austrian Parliamentary Committee appointed to inquire
into the necessity for proclaiming the minor state of siege in Prague was marked by an unexpected incident. Count Taaffe brought all necessary papers into the Committee; but, to its great surprise, demanded that they should be treated as confidential. It is quite possible that there are traitors in the Czech camp, who betrayed their col- leagues to the Government, and that Count Taaffe is protect- ing them ; but people in Austria have jumped to the conclusion that some foreign Power is concerned. That is to say, they believe that the Czech leaders, or some of them, are in corre- spondence with Russia, and encouraged by her Foreign Office. That is quite possible; but at the same time no Viennese can be trusted to discuss Russian designs. He is sure to be governed by what Carlyle called "preternatural suspicion." It is, by the way, a curious proof that Russian diplomacy is overrated, that the whole world on all occasions permanently suspects her of underhand intrigues. Good diplomacy tries, at all events, to be believed in.
