THE " ARROGANCE " OF RUSSIA.
go THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sts,—The unprecedented arrogance of Russia will be the more apparent, if we recollect what occurred in 1866, when Prince Bismarck substituted the new Germany for the old Confederation, which had been established by the Treaties of 1815.
Instead of conducting the negotiations with the secrecy which was maintained as to those of San Stefano, the Prussian Minister was careful to inform and consult Europe at every step. The English Court, for instance, was asked how it would like the extinction of Hanover as an independent State, and ample time was allowed for everybody's observations, and if necessary, for questions in Parliament.
A Conservative Government, under the late Lord Derby, was then in power, and when they declared that " they must have the whole Austro-Prussian Treaty before them," and further " re- quired " that "every clause should be submitted to Europe," and refused "to recognise as valid" any departure from the previous settlement" which had not been sanctioned by Europe," every one knows with what alacrity Prince Bismarck, docile even in the hour of victory, acquiesced in these peremptory conditions.—I
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