RUSSIA AND THE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1335, 15 November 1870, Page 3

RUSSIA AND THE WAR.

The Daily News has received the following statement from a well-informed correspondent, who does not, however, guarantee its correctness, and the Niem, in publishing it, points out the reasons for distrusting it : — " Ml. Jules Favre has been appealed to, in order to procure a quasi-official sanction to a Republican demonstration in Madrid, with an intimation to Prim that he could be President of the Spanish Republic. His reply was, " That the G-overntnent of France would not at thi3 moment, in spite of its sympathies, make any movement to' encourage the Republic in Spain, and would even prefer that it should not be declared. The reason of my refusal is that Republicanism so spread would terrify Russia, and it would neutralise the negotiations pending between the Provisional Government Jand Russia for an alliance, offensive and defensive, against Prussia should the latter be too exacting as to terms of peace. In other words, if this alliance take place— and it is on the point of realisation — Russia, which, as you know, has already begun to arm and to move troops towards her western frontier, marches straight upon Berlin. Russia says that the same military resources which Prussia has now directed against France will surely, sooner or later, be turned against Russia, with a view to acquire all the Germanic provinces now belonging to Russia." According to the Times' Berlin correspondent, there is reason to think that the proclamation of a Republic in France and the determined attitude of Prussia, have shaken the intention of Russia to propose the convocation of a congress.