New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5144, 18 September 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1877.

The telegram which we published, yesterday morning is the most important that has reached this colony since the commencement of the present war. It stated that the Emperor of Austria at a banquet proposed the health of his “dear friend and ally, the Tsar of Russia.” The action of Austria has hitherto been regarded as doubtful; but if she drew the sword at all it was generally supposed it would be on the side of Turkey. However, the words of Francis Joseph are plain enough, and their natural inference is thatthe Empire will either remain neutral, or if Austria takes an active part in the struggle it will be as an ally of Russia. As pointed out by the Spectator, in an article which we published yesterday, Russia would never have entered upon the present war .without the concurrence of Austria. The Tsar and his advisers are too cautious to run the risk of the hostility of a nation that could put a million of trained men in the field against Russia. We think it might reasonably be inferred that there is a secret treaty between the two Powers, but what the basis of that treaty is time alone will show. Russia was not going to repeat the mistake she made in 1854, The Emperor Nicholas in his movement against Turkey never reckoned upon the hostility of England. Secret despatches had passed between him and certain high functionaries in England, in which correspondence he was assured Great Britain would remain neutral ; but the views of Lord Aberdeen could not bind the free British nation, a fact which the Emperor of All the Russias found out to his cost in the loss of the flower of his army, and the lowering of the prestige of the Muscovite. In the present arrangement something definite has been fixed as to the division of territory should Turkey succumb in the struggle. Austria must have a substantial guarantee, and that guarantee doubtless is the acquisition of Bosnia, Herzegovina, and perhaps Servia. No Power in Europe has so much to dread from Russia as Austria. She could not afford, for her own safety, to idly stand by and let her great neighbor acquire territory, in the possession of which Russia could threaten the very existence of the Austro-Hun-garian Empire. The jealousy and fears of Austria were well known, and Russia has simply bought her over. It was well known that the warmest feelings of friendship existed between the late Emperor Nicholas of Russia and the present Emperor Francis Joseph; but that did not prevent Austria, during the Crimean war, from massing a largo army on the frontier, and giving Russia the alternative of accepting war or evacuating the Danubian Principalities. It is said that Nicholas wept when he first received this intimation from the Ministers of his very intimate friend the Emperor of Austria. Russia in the present war has not relied upon the friendship of the house of Hapsburo, but has allayed the fears of Austria by some material guarantee. We are inclined to think, in calculating the attitude Austria might assume in the present struggle, that too much has been made out of the Magyar’s antipathy to the Russian and his sympathy with the Turk. No doubt a strong feeling of hostility is entertained by the Magyar, doubtless owing to the remembrance of the aid Russia gave Austria in 1848 in stamping out Hungarian independence ; but the Magyar does not form such a numerical portion of the Empire as to sway its policy. Austria, for,the purposes of internal government, is divided into two divisions, one called the German or Cisleithan Monarchy, containing a population of over twenty millions ; the other, the Transloithan Kingdom, known as Hungary, which contains about fifteen million people, the Magyars constituting only 38 per cent, of this division. Hence it will be seen that out of the thirty-six millions of people which constitute the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but six or seven millions are imbued with strong

■hatred to Russia. The Slavs, number about (twelve million,' and it may be expected ithaf they are'to- a, man, < on. the'side of Russia. When Austrian Slav Catholics bum the Pope in effigy for issuing a pastoral against Russia, it inay’ be taken as strong evidence as to where their; sympathies lie. The Austrian army is drawn largely from the Slav population, and this would be an important element alone in deterring the Empire from going to war on behalf of the Turks. This portion of its subjects has stood well by the House of Hapsburg, and Francis Joseph would hesitate to do anything which would alienate their affections. Notwithstanding the alliance of Russia and Austria, the Turk is not yet conquered. He has had the same combination before to face, and he has emerged out of the struggle very little weakened. There is a wonderful obstinacy in the race, and if the Turk’s end is really foreshadowed, he will die hal’d. It was just as prevalent an opinion in Europe a hundred years ago that his days were numbered, as it is at present. Should he succumb to the odds that may be brought against him, Russia and Austria may find that they will not have all their own way in the division of the spoils. Such another iniquity as the participation of Poland will not be allowed in the present day. Tho voice of civilised Europe will make itself heard and felt, and regard must be paid to the feelings and inclinations of the people of the conquered territory, and the general interests of Europe.