VIENNA, CONGRESS OF (1814-1815). The fall of Napoleon left the disposition of his empire to the f our Powers who had overthrown him—Austria, Prussia, Russia and Britain. Other countries, of whom Spain, Portugal and Sweden were the most important and signed the Treaties of Paris, May 3o, 1814, had shared in this task, but the four greater Powers were bound to gether by a special alliance (Treaty of Chaumont, March 1,1814). Thus though the treaties with France stipulated that all coun tries who had taken part in the war should send plenipotentiaries to a congress at Vienna, the four Powers meant to make the deci sions themselves, and, as they could not agree at Paris, bound France by a secret article of the treaties to recognize these deci sions at a future date.
Thus the meeting at Vienna, where repre sentatives began to arrive towards the end of September, was meant to be merely a convenient assembly to ratify the decisions of the "four." Nevertheless, all Europe sent its most important statesmen. Metternich, principal minister of Austria since 1809, naturally represented his Emperor Francis II., a stubborn man who sometimes had a policy of his own. Wessenberg, an ambas sador, Gentz, a journalist of great capacity, who acted as secre tary of the congress, and Hudelist, a permanent official, were his principal assistants. The brilliant, but wayward and emotional, Alexander I. of Russia directed his own diplomacy. His servants who were mainly foreigners, included Capo d' Istria (a Greek), Stein (the regenerator of Prussia), Nesselrode (of German blood), Laharpe (his Swiss tutor), and Czartoryski (a Pole). The weak Frederick William III. of Prussia had as his principal minister Prince von Hardenberg, who had lost credit owing to physical infirmities, but was ably seconded by the celebrated Wilhelm von Humboldt and some efficient civil servants. Great Britain was represented by the foreign minister Lord Castlereagh, the creator of the Alliance of Chaumont. With him were Lord Clancarty, Lord Stewart and Lord Cathcart. He had a small but capable staff including Edward Cooke, under-secretary of State for foreign affairs. When Castlereagh had to return to his parliamentary duties the duke of Wellington replaced him and Lord Clancarty was principal representative after the duke's departure. The restored Louis XVIII. sent the astute diplomatist, Prince Talley rand, who had only mediocre helpers except La Besnardiere, one of Napoleon's permanent officials. Spain, Portugal and Sweden
also had only men of moderate parts to represent them, in Labra dor, Palmella and Lovenheilm. Count MUnster, who represented the British Prince Regent as ruler of Hanover, had much influ ence on German questions. Many of the rulers of the minor States of Europe put in an appearance. With them came a host of courtiers, secretaries and ladies to enjoy the magnificent hospital ity of the' almost bankrupt Austrian court. The social side of the congress made a great impression on the age, and on history. It was one of the causes of the long and unexpected delay in pro ducing a result, for Metternich at least sometimes subordinated business to pleasure.
This was due to the difficulty and complexity of the problems to be solved. First there was the problem of the organization of the congress, for which there was no precedent. The "four" were determined to keep the manage ment of the main problems entirely in their own hands; but since they had rather rashly summoned a congress they must pay some attention to it. The ministers of the "four" assembled early to discuss this problem, and finally agreed on Sept. 22 that the "four" should have the "initiative," by which they meant the "de cision" of the future of all the conquered territories. They were then to "communicate" with France and Spain. The "congress" was to be summoned only when all was ready.
This was the situation which Talleyrand found when he arrived on Sept. 24. He refused to accept it and was supported by Labrador. He denied that either the "four" or the "six" were legally constituted bodies, and desired that the congress should be summoned to elect a directing committee. If there was any other body which had any rights it was the "eight" Powers who had signed the Paris treaties. The "four" were much disturbed, for they knew that all the smaller Powers would support Talley rand if they gave him the chance of appealing to them. But they had no intention of giving way, and refused to summon a meeting of all the plenipotentiaries. A notice was issued that the opening of the congress was postponed till Nov. 1. No solution could be found, however, and after a meeting of the "eight" on Oct. 3o the opening was again postponed.