The result was the beginning of a good understanding between Russia and France, and the weakening of the Three Emperors’ League[248].  That league went to pieces for a time amidst the disputes at the Berlin Congress on the Eastern Question, where Germany’s support of Austria’s resolve to limit the sphere of Muscovite influence robbed the Czar of prospective spoils and placed a rival Power as “sentinel on the Balkans.”  Further, when Germany favoured Austrian interests in the many matters of detail that came up for settlement in those States, the rage in Russian official circles knew no bounds.  Newspapers like the Journal de St. Petersbourg, the Russki Mir, and the Golos, daily poured out the vials of their wrath against everything German; and that prince of publicists, Katkoff, with his coadjutor, Elie de Cyon, moved heaven and earth in the endeavour to prove that Bismarck alone had pushed Russia on to war with Turkey, and then had intervened to rob her of the fruits of victory.  Amidst these clouds of invective, friendly hands were thrust forth from Paris and Moscow, and the effusive salutations of would-be statesmen marked the first beginnings of the present alliance.  A Russian General—­Obretchoff—­went to Paris and “sounded the leading personages in Paris respecting a Franco-Russian alliance[249].”

[Footnote 248:  Histoire de l’Entente franco-russe, by Elie de Cyon, ch. i. (1895).]

[Footnote 249:  Our Chancellor, by M. Busch, vol. ii. pp. 137-138.]

Clearly, it was high time for the two Central Powers to draw together.  There was little to hinder their rapprochement.  Bismarck’s clemency to the Hapsburg Power in the hour of Prussia’s triumph in 1866 now bore fruit; for when Russia sent a specific demand that the Court of Berlin must cease to support Austrian interests or forfeit the friendship of Russia, the German Chancellor speedily came to an understanding with Count Andrassy in an interview at Gastein on August 27-28, 1879.  At first it had reference only to a defensive alliance against an attack by Russia, Count Andrassy, then about to retire from his arduous duties, declining to extend the arrangement to an attack by another Power—­obviously France.  The plan of the Austro-German alliance was secretly submitted by Bismarck to the King of Bavaria, who signified his complete approval[250].  It received a warm welcome from the Hapsburg Court; and, when the secret leaked out, Bismarck had enthusiastic greetings on his journey to Vienna and thence northwards to Berlin.  The reason is obvious.  For the first time in modern history the centre of Europe seemed about to form a lasting compact, strong enough to impose respect on the restless extremities.  That of 1813 and 1814 had aimed only at the driving of Napoleon I. from Germany.  The present alliance had its roots in more abiding needs.

[Footnote 250:  Bismarck:  Reflections and Reminiscences, vol. ii. pp. 251-289.]