The Sings are again repeating that they expect peace. The
Russian Emperor will, it is said, at his New Year's reception (Old Style), speak reassuring words to the world, and the German Emperor has already spoken them in the form of a letter to Prince Bismarck, sent on December 31st, 1889. He tells his Chancellor that, " full of sincere gratitude to God, I look back on the expiring year in which it was vouchsafed to us not only to preserve to our dear Fatherland external peace, but also to strengthen the pledges for its maintenance." King Humbert has also remarked semi-publicly that whereas some time ago he would not have guaranteed peace for a fortnight, he is now well assured that it will be maintained. Something has evidently occurred in that " cloudy Olympus " which conceals the great, and one would much like to know what. Is it just possible that there is truth in the constantly reviving rumours of a marriage between the Cesarewitch and a sister of the Emperor of Germany, and that this domestic alliance, which would be so convenient to both dynasties, is inducing both to postpone the thought of war ?
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