and as they were to come
again, from the East.

The first disturbance of the cordial relations, that apparently had
been established among Germany, Austria, and Russia, was caused in
1876 when the Near Eastern question became again an issue between
Austria and Russia. The latter's inquiries at Berlin as to the
German attitude in a possible war between the other two empires were
met with an evasive answer, except that it was made clear that
Germany would not permit Russia to deal with Austria beyond a
certain point. As a result of this stand Russia decided to settle
the Eastern question through a war with Turkey rather than with
Austria.

During the Russo-Turkish War, April, 1876, to February, 1877, the
causes and results of which will be considered in another place,
Germany maintained the strictest neutrality, so strict in fact that
at its conclusion Germany was chosen as mediator. To this part the
young empire adhered most carefully during the Congress of Berlin,
June to July, 1878, and, difficult though it was, showed the
strictest impartiality. At the same time it refused to gain any
profit from the readjustment which resulted. In spite of this,
however, it received little appreciation on the part of Russia,
which apparently had expected a more active display of gratitude on
the part of Germany for its own friendly neutrality during the
Franco-Prussian War. In a way this marks the beginning of a strong
anti-German feeling in Russia, which by 1879 had grown strong enough
to make a war between the two countries seem possible. Bismarck
immediately took the necessary steps to insure Germany against such
a possibility by concluding an alliance with Austria, October 7,
1879, at Gastein. In this he was bitterly opposed by William I,
whose personal feelings were leaning much more toward Russia than
Austria. However, a threat on the part of the chancellor to resign
brought this rapidly aging emperor to terms.

The Austro-German alliance was defensive only. It stipulated that in
case of an attack by Russia on either contracting party the other
was to assist with its entire forces. In case of an attack by any
other power only friendly neutrality was to be observed, except if
such a power was in any way supported by Russia, when the first
stipulation was to take force.

Three years later, in 1882, Bismarck strengthened Germany's
international position by overcoming Italy's enmity against Austria
to the extent of inducing