1854] FRANCE AND AUSTRIA 51
the war between her and Russia break out. The Queen regrets to find a Clause omitted which stood in the former French project (rejected by us about three weeks ago), stipulating that Austria was to prevent the re-entry of Russia into the Princi- palities. Although she would of her own accord have to do this, a treaty obligation towards the belligerents to that effect would have made a considerable inroad into her position as a neutral power, and secured a co-operation in the war—ad hoc at least. Austria ought to be told, in the Queen’s opinion, that this project of treaty contains almost nothing ; and that her signing it at once would give a moral pledge of her sincerity towards the Western Powers, who have to pay with the lives of their best troops every day that Austria hesitates to do what in the end she must find it in her own interest to do. As to M. Olozaga’s proposal,[1] the Queen thinks it ought to be treated like all the former ones, viz. met with the remark that we cannot discuss eventualities implying the dethronement of a Sovereign with whom we are on a footing of amity.
Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon.
WINDSOR CASTLE, 9th November 1854.
The Queen returns the letters from Lord Cowley and Count
Walewski.[2] No consideration on earth ought to stand in the
way of our sending what ships we can lay hold of to transport
French reinforcements to the Crimea, as the safety of our
Army and the honour of the Country are at stake. The
Queen is ready to give her own yacht for a transport which could
carry 1,000 men. Every account received convinces the
Queen more and more that numbers alone can ensure success
in this instance, and that without them we are running serious
risks.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
WINDSOR CASTLE, 14th November 1854.
My DEAREST UNCLE,—I am quite shocked to find that I missed writing my letter to-day—but really la téte me tourne. I am so bewildered and excited, and my mind so entirely taken up by the news from the Crimea, that I really forget, and what
- ↑ The document containing this proposal does not seem to have been preserved among the papers. It was not impossibly a scheme for betrothing King Pedro to the infant Princess of the Asturias, thereby uniting the two Crowns, and bringing about the dethronement of Queen Isabella.
- ↑ The Count wrote that France was ready to send 20,000 men to the Crimea, if England could furnish transports. Lord Clarendon added: "We have not a single available steamer, as all must be left in the Baltic until the ice sets in, and the stores, ammunition, and clothing for the Army are going out in sailing vessels."
