France would lose much more by a defeat than she could gain from a victory, and the fruits of victory could not be permanently held.
Italy, also, has no unsatisfied ambition which a war could gratify, except the addition of a few thousand Austrian-Italians to her population.

Russia still looks longingly toward Constantinople; but until she has done something to solve her domestic problem and reorganize her finances, she needs peace rather than war.

But the past successes of Germany and her new and increasing expansive power tempt her to cherish ambitions which constitute the chief menace to the international stability of Europe.

She would have much to lose, but she would also have something to gain from the possible disintegration of Austria-Hungary.

She has possibly still more to gain from the incorporation of Holland within the Empire.