CHAPTER XII. THE RELATIONS OF AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA WITH THE BELLIGERENTS. — THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA. — THE AUSTRIAN PRO- POSALS. — THEIR ULTIMATE REJECTION ENTAILING A CHANGE OP AUSTRIA'S POLICY. The union of Austria and Prussia with the Western Powers, Its anomalous character, Its efficacy for the first proposed object, Tendency of this too speedy success, The danger increased by another cause, The defection of Prussia, The loyal course taken by Austria, 307 308 309 310 310 311 314 II. Step taken by Austria which made a beginning of her media- tion, 315 Course taken at first by the Czar Nicholas, . . . .315 And afterwards, ......... 315 His acceptance of the Four Conditions, . . . . . 31 G Treaty of the 2d of December 1854, 316 Preliminary negotiations for the Conference, . . . .316 Exclusion of Prussia from the Conferences, . . . .317 Question as to the effect of Nicholas's death on the prospects of peace, .......... 318 IIL The Peace Negotiations at Vienna, 319 Lord John Russell. ........ 320 Prince Alexander Gortchakoff, 322 M. Drouyn de Lhuys, ........ 323 Debates in the Conference, ....... 323 Compared with the mere adduced ' reasons,' the actual stress of the 'motives,' ........ 329 Failure of the Peace negotiations carried on between the belligerents, ......... 334
