Every Family Has Its Own Hard Scripture to Recite

The facts proved that the British had overestimated their own influence. With Austria remaining silent and France dragging its feet, the willingness of European countries to intervene in the Prusso-Russian War was nowhere near as strong as they had expected.

Diplomatically, everyone held high the banner of "peace" and actively called for Prussia and Russia to cease fighting. But when it came time for military intervention, every last one of them vanished.

Sending troops? Out of the question. Even when the British merely suggested that everyone make a show of force to frighten the Russians, no one was willing to play along.

At heart, everyone wanted to restrain the Russians because they feared a threat to their own national defense and security.

But the situation was different now. With Austria's revival, it was simply impossible for the Russians to advance westward.

Without sufficient benefits, naturally no one was very enthusiastic about taking part. The British face was only worth a few shouted diplomatic slogans, counted as putting pressure on the Tsarist Government.

The London Government intervened so actively because it had invested too many resources in the Prusso-Polish Federation, and the interests involved were simply too great for it to let go.

In a sense, this was also the result of Britain's declining influence in Europe. The existence of France and Austria had weakened British hegemony.

Without the cooperation of France and Austria, the British alone could not force the Tsarist Government to compromise. International mediation had become actual "mediation," with no ability to influence the Prusso-Russian War.

The international intervention promised by the British had yet to arrive, and the Berlin Government, eager to withdraw unscathed, grew anxious.

Poland had already been lost, Poznan had become a battlefield, and East Prussia seemingly could not hold out much longer.

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