He probably would have been able to pursue this policy to the end but for Napoleon, the arch disturber of the affairs in Europe. He began a policy of conciliation toward Poland, bringing home many of the exiles from Siberia. He withdrew the Russian army from the frontiers of Persia, and reduced the military levies throughout the empire. He announced to the King of Prussia that he was not in favor of further conquests and dictated a circular which he communicated to the foreign powers, setting forth that although Russia would take no part in the contest with France, the emperor would remain as ever united with his allies, and oppose by all possible means the progress of the mad French Republic, which threatened Europe with total ruin, by the destruction of her laws, privileges, property, religion and manners. He refused armed assistance to Austria, which was alarmed by the sensational victories of Napoleon in Northern Italy.
He recalled the vessels sent by Catherine to join the English fleet to blockade the coasts of France and Holland. He even went so far while friendly with the allies who had united against Napoleon, as to give assurances to France that he desired to live at peace with her and that he would persuade the members of the coalition to end the war, offering the mediation of Russia for the accomplishment of this result.
The operations of France in the Mediterranean, however, soon led him into difficulties with Napoleon and when the latter took Malta, expelling the knights, he invited them to an asylum at St. Petersburg and himself became the Grand Master of the Order. The presence of Napoleon in Egypt having at the same time alarmed the Porte, Paul was led, contrary to all the traditions of Russia, to make an alliance with the Sultan of Turkey in opposition to the aggressive policy of France in the Levant.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
