No. 27.
Mr. Delaplaine to Mr. Fish.
Vienna, May 5, 1875. (Received May 20.)
Sir: The latest telegraphic intelligence from Dalmatia announces the Emperor’s arrival at Cattaro, and his ceremonial interview with the Prince Nikita, of Montenegro.
His Majesty’s tour throughout the province had been accompanied everywhere by the most enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalty and [Page 57] welcome. In every town and hamlet Salutes and general illuminations, as well as the formal greetings of the various clergy and of the public authorities, have proclaimed the universal satisfaction.
Politicians in Vienna attach to the imperial tour results of marked importance to the empire beyond those upon Dalmatia alone. The inhabitants of that province being of simple and primitive customs, and whose interests as well as varied idioms have little or no convergence toward Austria proper, or even to Hungary, possess, therefore, more impressionable imaginations; and, viewing in the sovereign an incarnation of their idea of the empire, they naturally experience a closer attachment to the other provinces composing it, and a more vivid apprehension of a common country.
Thus the rivalry between the Italian and Slavonian nationalities in the province is, moreover, diminished, if not removed; and it may be safely presumed that the imperial presence will give a new and powerful impulse in calming the antipathies of party and in realizing a progressive march in an economic and intellectual point of view.
In the course of his tour the Emperor entered the Turkish territory, and received the greetings of the governor of Bosnia, and others of a deputation from the Sultan. They accompanied His Majesty’s suite to Bagusa, and were the recipients of marked attentions and of imperial decorations. This event is considered to have dissipated the cloud of difference which recently darkened the relations between the two powers in reference to the question of the Roumanian and other Turkish railways, and their direct connection with the Hungarian and Galician.
* * * * * * *
The prestige of the monarchy will thus find higher luster and greater influence in the councils at Constantinople, and its efforts in favor of consolidating peace and a salutary equilibrium in the interest of Europe against all attempts and tendencies to disturb the general tranquillity will, as it may be reasonably anticipated, not fail in proving successful.
I have, &c.,