Count Julius Andrassy, one of the most influential statesmen of
Austria-Hungary, in a public statement discussed the new alliance
in detail. He asserted that when Bismarck and the elder Andrassy
were negotiating the treaty of alliance in 1879 the Iron Chancellor
expressed a wish that the two great powers should conclude a defensive
and offensive alliance against every eventuality. Andrassy, however,
was absolutely opposed to this, and, being convinced that the German
statesman would give way, was determined to break off the negotiations
altogether rather than conclude an alliance of such a general
character. His view prevailed, Count Julius added, and the treaty was
directed exclusively against Russia.
The treaty which was discussed by the two leading statesmen at Gastein
nearly forty years ago, and which has since then directed the events
of the world, has served its purpose so well, the Count continued,
that it has become superfluous in its old form. "It has smashed the
adversary against whom it provided protection." The treaty in its
new form, he asserted, is merely an adaptation of the original one
to altered conditions. In 1879, he stated, Russian Imperialism was
the only common danger for Austria-Hungary and Germany, and it was
appropriate therefore that the alliance should be directed against
Russia. Now, however, the situation is completely changed, and "the
danger against which we must protect ourselves is no longer Russian
imperialism but the permanent animosity of, and possible new attacks
by, those countries which have endeavored during the last four years,
while straining all their forces to the utmost capacity, to annihilate
the Central Powers and split them up into their component parts."