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diplomatic service was so largely staffed by non-Russians(cf.pp. 341-342).This accusation had much less substance in it after1870, when Prussia became so formidable as Germanyand Bismarck bestrode the stage. The traditional connexionswith monarchical and conservative Prussia werewearing thin by the close of Alexander IPs reign; underAlexander III they wore very thin; under Nicholas IIthey counted for more, but they were never ascendant.An attempt to revive the old conservative alliance ofthe three eastern powers in 1873 broke down five yearslater when Russia and Austria-Hungary fell out againover the Balkans. It was more significant that she fellout also with the new Germany and 'the honest broker'of the Berlin congress. Russia had hoped for definitesupport from Germany if necessary against Austria-Hungary; but Bismarck, though he did his best toencourage amicable partition of the Balkans between thetwo, would not 'opt' for either.The outbreak of injured nationalism in Russia, whichfollowed the imposition of the treaty of Berlin in placeof her victorious treaty of San Stefano, went to extremelengths against Germany and Bismarck, accused now ofbeing responsible for Russia's defeat (cf. p. 245). 'Thewar of the two chancellors' (himself and Gorchakov) andthe chaotic conditions within Russia, which seemed tomake her actions unpredictable, convinced Bismarck thata renewal of good relations with the Russian governmentwas so uncertain that he must insure himself and Austria-Hungary. In October 1879 the Austro-German alliancewas signed, in defence against a Russian attack on eitheror Russian support of a French attack on Germany.This alliance, rather than the Triple Alliance betweenGermany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (first concludedin 1882), was the keystone of the union between the twocentral powers, and it was to run unchanged right downto 1914. Unlike the Triple Alliance, the exact termsof which were never revealed until 1919, the Austro-German alliance was officially communicated to Russia,Great Britain, and Italy in 1887 and published to theworld in the following year.421