equivalent. to a declaration of War, and proceed to act accordingly.[1]
An assurance has been received, in general terms, of the intention of Austria to support this demand; and a telegraphic message has been sent to Vienna with a desire to know whether the Austrian Government will join in this summons, or in what manner support will be given.[2] No answer has yet been received, and Lord Aberdeen would think it right not to make the summons until Austria has declared her intention; but the Cabinet appears to desire that the letter should be sent tomorrow evening.
The period fixed for the complete evacuation of the Principalities is the 30th of April.
As it cannot be supposed that the Emperor of Russia will listen to such a demand as this, immediate hostilities must be expected, with all their consequences.
Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen. BUCKINGHAM PALACE, 26th February 1854. The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen’s letter of this day. To be able to form a judgment on the important question to which it refers, the Queen would require to be furnished with the exact terms of “the general assurance” which Austria has given with respect to it. The Queen, however, does not doubt for a moment that the gain of a day or two in making the summons to Russia could not be compared to the advantage of being able to make the summons conjointly with Austria. She must therefore wish that the answer to the telegraphic message should be awaited before the messenger is sent off.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, 28th February 1854.
My DEAREST UNCLE,— ... The news from Austria are quite
excellent, and much more than we had any reason to expect.
It .will make a great difference in the nature and duration of
the War. Our summons to Russia went last night viâ Paris,
- ↑ This summons to evacuate the Principalities, and an ultimatum to a similar purport from Paris, were delivered to the Czar on the 14th of March; on their receipt the Czar intimated that he did not think it fitting (convenable) that he should make any reply. His decision was known in London on the 24th.
- ↑ The attitude of Austria caused great perplexity. Count Orloff had gone to Vienna to obtain a pledge of neutrality in the event of war, but refused to give the Emperor Francis Joseph satisfactory assurances as to the Czar’s future policy, and, in particular, as to the evacuation of the Principalities at the close of the war. The Austrian Government accordingly announced its intention of acting as circumstances might dictate, but subsequently limited the assistance which it now expressed itself willing to give to England and France in insisting upon the evacuation, to diplomatic support.
