The Liberal papers all over Europe keep publishing state - - ments
about the interference of Count von Bismarck in the Roman affair. As we have elsewhere reasoned, it is quite pos- sible that he has interfered so far as to express the general friendship of Prussia for Italy, but of his " interference" in regular diplomatic form, by despatches, there is no evidence whatever. The nearest approach to official testimony on the point is a remark in the semi-official Provincial Correspondence of the 31st October. Although " not as yet compelled to take decisive action in the Italian question, Prussia will not fail to use her -legitimate influence to prevent a more serious breach- Of the peace of Europe." The meaning of this is clearly that while Rome may be occupied by France, Italy must not be attacked, and this is the version of the Prussian policy now accepted on all sides, and one of the many reasons for the hesitation visible everywhere.
