Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/168

138 CAUSES INVOLVING FRANCE AND ENGLAND CHAP, principles which should guide the belligerents in _i^_ the event of their being forced into a war by the obstinacy of the Emperor Nicholas. Of course the Czar's relinquishment of the Principalities took away from Prussia, as well as from Austria, her ground of complaint against the Czar, and with it, her motive for action. Nor was this all ; for by determining to quit the mainland of Europe and make a descent upon a remote maritime province of Eussia, the Western Powers deprived themselves of all right to expect that Austria and Prussia would favour a scheme of invasion which they did not and could not ap- prove. Down to the time when the Czar deter- mined to repass the Pruth, the policy followed by Prussia as well as by Austria was sound and loyal towards Europe. As aid also The German Confederation was brought into the German . . a i • i -r> • i i.i couf3dera- thc Same Views as Austria and Prussia ; and thus, so long as the object in view was the deliverance of the Principalities, the whole of Central Europe was joined with the great Powers of the West in a determination to repress the Czar's encroach- ments. I repeat that the papers laid before Parliament have not yet disclosed the ground on which the English Government became discon- tent with this vast union, and was led to contract tliosc separate engagements with the Emperor of the Erencli which ended by bringing on the war.* • TIii3 was published in 18C3, but writing now in 1876, I inay still say that the blank remains ; the actual truth being tiou.