VERONA, CONGRESS OF, the last of the series of inter national conferences or congresses based on the principle enunci ated in Art. 6 of the treaty of Paris of Nov. 20, 1815 (see EUROPE, History). It met at Verona on Oct. 20, 1822. The emperor Alexander I. of Russia was present in person. There were also present Count Nesseirode, the Russian minister of foreign affairs; Prince Metternich, representing Austria; Prince Hardenberg and Count Bernstorff, representing Prussia ; MM. de Montmorency and Chateaubriand, representing France; and the duke of Wellington, representing Great Britain.
The immediate problems arising out of the Turkish Question had been settled between the emperor Alexander and Metternich, at the preliminary conferences held at Vienna in September, and at Verona the only question raised was that of the proposed French intervention in Spain. The discussion was opened by three questions formally propounded by Montmorency : (r) Would the Allies withdraw their ministers from Madrid in the event of France being compelled to do so? (2) In case of war, under what form and by what acts would the powers give France their moral support, so as to give to her action the force of the Alliance, and inspire a salutary fear in the revolutionaries of all countries? (3) What material aid would the powers give, if asked by France to intervene, under restrictions which she would declare and they would recognize? The reply of Alexander, who expressed his surprise at the desire of France to keep the question "wholly French," was to offer to march 150,000 Russians through Germany to Piedmont, where they could be held ready to act against the Jacobins whether in Spain or France. Wellington, who had been instructed to express
the uncompromising opposition of Great Britain to the whole principle of intervention, refused to have anything to do with the suggestion, made by Metternich, that the powers should address a common note to the Spanish Government in support of the action of France. Finally, Metternich proposed that the Allies should "hold a common language, but in separate notes, though uniform in their principles, and objects." This solution was adopted by the continental powers; and Wellington, in accordance with his instructions, took no part in the conferences that fol lowed. On Oct. 3o the powers handed in their formal replies to the French memorandum. Russia, Austria and Prussia would act as France should in respect of their ministers in Spain, and would give to France every countenance and assistance she might require, the details "being reserved to be specified in a treaty." Wellington, on the other hand, replied on behalf of Great Britain that "having no knowledge of the cause of dispute, and not being able to form a judgment upon a hypothetical case, he could give no answer to any of the questions." Thus was proclaimed the open breach of Great Britain with the principles and policy of the Great Alliance, which is what gives to the congress its main historical interest. (W. A. P.)