No. 134.
Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish.
Berlin, April 28, 1873. (Received May 15.)
Sir: On Thursday night the German Emperor, attended by the Prince of Bismarck, Field-marshal Von Moltke, and a large suite, left Berlin on a visit to the Emperor of Russia, at St. Petersburg.
I apprehend that the visit does not imply an intention on the part of the Emperors of formally discussing European or Oriental politics, still less any alliance for the future. Two Emperors, whose power extends over more than one-third of the population of Europe, cannot meet in friendship without drawing closer their personal relations, but neither of them would be inclined to organize government on the Bosphorus or in Spain.
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With no help possible for Turkey in Europe, except by the transfer of the government to the hands of Christians, Russia will not be eager to establish on the west of the Bosphorus an independent Christian government. Nor can Germany at present undertake to introduce and protect the establishment of such a government.
Neither the Greek Emperor of Russia nor the evangelical Emperor of Germany is likely to think of disturbing Italy in its acquisition of the former states of the church.
As to France, the manner of its payment to Germany of the stipulated indemnity, under the wonderfully skillful lead of President Thiers, pledges the German government to a position of friendly neutrality; and I sometimes hear men in the highest position, and most sincerely devoted to the monarchical principle in Germany, declare that the republican government is the only one which is now fitted to France.
As to Spain, from the time when, in 1872, King Amadeo, misled by his own prejudices as a prince, and those of his wife as a Catholic, dismissed Zorilla for Sagasta, Spain has been driven like a ship without a rudder, and no foreign power is bold enough to assume the responsibility of becoming its pilot.
I therefore believe that there does not exist in the governments of Europe, I am sure there does not exist in this government, any disposition to willful interference in foreign states.
I remain, &c.,