No. 135.
Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish.
Berlin, May 5, 1873. (Received May 21.)
Sir: I remain of the opinion contained in my No. 475, that the visit of the German Emperor to St. Petersburg has no special political importance, but must be regarded as a family visit which the German Emperor, now venerable for years, pays to his nephew.
[Page 284]The most troublesome antagonist to the Spanish republic is Don Carlos, supported as he is by the whole weight of the Vatican. But this government, which takes the lead in opposition to ultramontane interference in affairs of state, has not shown, and will not show, favor to such interference in other countries.
Almost simultaneously with the visit of the Emperor to St. Petersburg, the report of the commission on the fortifications of the empire has been made. The eastern frontier is the most difficult of defense. Eight fortresses, most of them defending interior points, are doomed to be leveled, but the fortresses that protect the eastern frontier and the western are, without much regard to cost, to be increased so as to be able effectually to resist all the newly-invented means of attack, while nothing new is undertaken on the south and southeast; that is to say, all that skill and wealth can accomplish to put in a state of perfect defense the frontiers on the side of Russia, not less than on the side of France, is to be carried out, while nothing new is undertaken on the side of Austro-Hungary, as if all danger of collision with that power was at an end.
Your instructions as far as No. 571 have come to hand, and those which require action of the legation, especially No. 560, relating to the proposed treaty of commerce, and No. 564, relating to papers for Mr. Senator Anthony, and No. 38, (circular,) inclosing questions respecting coinage, and No. 569, on naturalization treaties and extradition treaties, are receiving all attention. The legation will be able to report on them at an early moment.
I remain, &c.,