BISMARK DIVULGING A LONGKEPT SECRET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 125, 25 June 1881, Page 4

BISMARK DIVULGING A LONGKEPT SECRET.

The Governmental Post (Berlin) states that Prince Bismark has ordered a collection of diplomatic documents attesting the hostile intentions of Russia towards Germany. The volume will include papers bearing upon Prince Gortchakoff s proposition to France for the conclusion of an anti-German alliance. With respect to the proposed anti-German alliance, an article published in the Cologne Gazette has excited much interest here and throughout the country. The Gazette says that facts have come to light indicating that the Russian Government made secret overtures last summer to the Governments of France and Italy, with powers against Germany and Austria; but, notwithstanding the caution with which the business was managed on the part of Russia the authorities of Berlin got wind of it, and contrived the AustroGerman alliance as a defensive and offensive arrangement. The Gazette adds that although Bismark was aware of treachery meditated by Russia, and was taking measures to prevent the success of the negotiations, it was not then his cue to betray any lack of confidence in Russia's professions of friendship. While all this was going on under the surface the shrewdest diplomats and politicians of Europe were puzzled to account for the motive of so much running to and fro between Berlin and Vienna. It is asserted that Bismark has some ulterior purpose of his own to serve by divulging his long-kept secret at this time. The Gazette considers the danger averted, from the fact that the Emperors of both Germany and Russia have solemnly declared that during their reigns Russia and Germany shall not engage in war with each other; but this view is looked upon as an optomist one, inasmuch as the pledges of emperors and princes have not always proved to have been inviolable. At the best, the security for the peace of Europe, according to the Gazette's own showing, hangs on the lives of two men, both old and both exposed to extroardinai*y dangers from the bullets or daggers of assassins.