Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 41. (1990)
BEVERIDGE, Kent D.: „Worthy Representative of Europe“. Anton Graf Prokesch von Osten
Kent D. Beveridge Anton Freiherr Prokesch von Osten a natural choice for internuncio19) of the Austrian Empire to the Sublime Porte. His appointement in 1855 - at the age of sixty20) - was both the culmination of a life of service to the Austrian Empire and the fulfillment of a long-cherished desire21). The legation in Constantinople was Austria’s foremost mission in the Near East. All other legations and consulates in this area reported to the internuncio, who in turn reported directly to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Vienna. Prokesch-Osten had long desired this important position, not only because of his familiarity with the Porte and with many of the officials in Constantinople, but also because of his affinity for the Orient. He shared with Gobineau the feeling that European civilization was decaying, and that a wave of renewal sweeping westward out of the uncorrupted Middle East offered the only possibility of reversing the ever-increasing decadence of Europe22). Prokesch-Osten’s convictions reflected the fascination he had felt for Ottoman customs and institutions since the Greek war of independence23). Although he clearly saw the signs of political disintegration within the Ottoman Empire, Prokesch-Osten’s belief in Ottoman strength and potential was a constant theme in his actions and reports throughout his term of service in Constantinople24). This term ended in 1872, when Prokesch-Osten resigned his diplomatic post and retired from public life. The death of ‘Ah Pasha, a statesman Österreichs 1648-1918 (Graz 1953) 425f. Translated in Beaber Prokesch von Osten 6. See also Kissinger World Restored 288-291. This policy changed, however, as Beust became Minister of Foreign Affairs. He viewed the Balkans primarily as an area in which to make concessions to France and Russia in return for support of his German policy. 19) Although normally reserved for Vatican envoys, this was the traditional title of the Austrian plenipotentiary to the Sublime Porte, who had also represented the interests of the Vatican at the Sultan’s court for many years. Cf. Beaber Prokesch von Osten 1, and literature cited there. 20) Prokesch-Osten was born in Graz on 10 December 1795. 21) Beaber Prokesch von Osten 5. He was appointed as a result of his successful mediation during the Vienna Conference, which had been convened to find a compromise solution to the Crimean War. Prokesch-Osten informed Beust that the prospect of negotiations with „wise ‘Ali, the Grand Vizier, instead of with Bismarck at Frankfurt, seemed to him like an Oriental vision of the blessed.“ Friedrich Engel-Jánosi Austria in the Summer of 1870 in Journal of Central European Affairs (7 April 1947) 342. 22) „L’esprit canaille, qui a la haute main en Europe, me dégoűte jusqu’aux ent- railles. Je crois que nous marchons ä pas de géant vers la barberie la plus hideuse, résultant de la pourriture de la civilisation.“ Prokesch-Osten to Gobineau, 5 December 1860 Correspondance 218. („I loathe the vulgarity which rules Europe today with my entire being. I believe that we are approaching with giant steps that barbarism which is rising to meet us out of the decay of civilization.“) Cf. Engel-Janosi Briefwechsel 457f. 23) Beaber Prokesch von Osten 5. 24) Ibid. 142
