i.; also in _Nouvelle Revue_ for 1880.] [Footnote 121: Bismarck, _Recollections and Reminiscences_, vol.ii.

p.
231 (Eng.

ed.).] But the passage just cited only proves that Russia might have gone to war with Austria over the Eastern Question.

In point of fact, she went to war with Turkey, after coming to a friendly arrangement with Austria.
Bismarck therefore acted as "honest-broker" between his two allies; and it has yet to be proved that Bismarck did not sincerely work with the two other Empires to make the coercion of Turkey by the civilised Powers irresistibly strong.

In his speech of December 6, 1876, to the Reichstag, the Chancellor made a plain and straightforward declaration of his policy, namely, that of neutrality, but inclining towards friendship with Austria.