PART II.

FOREIGN POLICY.

WE now propose to lay before our readers an accurate historical account of the diplomacy of Baron Beust as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, to analyse the fundamental ideas of his policy, and to furnish authentic proofs of the effectual manner in which it has been carried out, in view of all the great events that have occurred in Europe, and more especially in Austria, during the last eventful three years. Such a task, difficult as it is, would be almost impossible, had not an entirely new parliamentary system been introduced, both in the diplomatic action and in the administration of the Austrian Foreign Office. The official Red Books which are circulated amongst all the representatives of the

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Upper and Lower Houses, and which are now public property, contain the main features of Baron Beust's diplomatic activity. In writing this work we have drawn deeply on the above sources, and we trust that the data we have collected will (in a necessarily condensed form) furnish an absolutely true and objective picture of the Baron's foreign policy during the last few years. When Baron Beust assumed the reins of office, Austria was, as we have previously stated, in a deplorable condition. No feature in her position was perhaps more discouraging than the fact, that not only had the great powers remained unsympathetic spectators of the conflict with Prussia, at least up to the final catastrophe, but some amongst them had even stipulated for the most onerous terms as the price of their neutrality; and this when Austria was assailed from north and south, and was in a state of isolation rarely equalled in history. This painful situation was greatly aggravated by the alarming consciousness that the isolation of Austria was the result of a widely-spread distrust in her powers of vitality, as well as in her traditional policy, and by the internal pessimism which pa

ralysed the action of the Government and diminished the political energies of the population. Baron Beust must have been aware when he accepted his post, that besides all the difficulties with which the position was beset, he would have, as a consequence of his previous activity as Saxon prime minister, to struggle against the prejudices of the power which had just conquered Austria and subjugated Saxony. Nothing short of the greatest energy and intelligence could accomplish so herculean a task. He at once saw the necessity of re-establishing the Hapsburg monarchy as an element of the European body politic, and of preserving its strength and position in their integrity amongst the other European nations. This double task of strengthening Austria internally, and raising her external prestige, had to be accomplished simultaneously; for the importance of the external relations of a State must necessarily and to a great extent depend upon its internal vitality. The home policy of Baron Beust we have already traced at considerable length; and we now, therefore, turn to his achievements in the department of foreign affairs.

A policy of peace was as much a necessity for the internal as for the external interests of the empire. This Baron Beust deemed it his duty, both to Austria and to himself, at once clearly to proclaim; and on his installation as Foreign Minister, he accordingly issued a circular despatch, dated 2nd November, 1866, in which he said :

"It would be presupposing in me a rare ignorance of my duties if I were deemed capable of introducing" into my policy "any rancour,-a feeling from which I myself am perfectly free.

. The whole efforts of the Imperial Government must now be directed to efface the consequences of a calamitous war, and it will-this no one need doubt-remain faithful to the policy of peace and reconciliation which it has at all times pursued. If the issue of the last contest renders this a matter of necessity, it also imposes upon the Government the duty of being more than ever jealous of its dignity."

The tie of legitimist principles, which formerly united the Powers and States in Eastern and Central Europe, was severed by recent events, and stripped of all its practical elements. Austria,

who had made these principles, both at home and abroad, of such paramount importance that she in former years sacrificed at their shrine even the development and progress of her people, was at length obliged to abandon them, and with them every policy that might be based only on sentiments of sympathy or antipathy. The principle which has now become the governing spirit of her foreign relations may be gathered from Baron Beust's despatches and diplomatic correspondence. In one of these despatches he says:-"It must henceforth be rendered impossible that the political forces of Austria should be employed for any other purpose than for the proper (own) interests of the people, ruled over by her Emperor or King" (Red Book I., page 2). He introduced into Austrian policy the very rational axiom that the general welfare and interest of the State itself are the first points to be considered, thus affording a guarantee that Austria will not engage in warlike combination unless her honour or existence should be at stake. Acting in pursuance of this axiom, it became his duty, as head of the Foreign Office, to establish an entente cordiale

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