Although the Congress was convened to solve some important and complicated problems, yet the working of this Congress was not based any principles. The representatives of almost all countries were steeped in selfishness.
Although the secret treaties had been concluded am the allies, those countries could not remain united. Dr. Satyaketu Vidyalankar has rightly remarked in this regard:
“The Czar of Russia wanted to have the whole of Poland in his possession. Prussia wanted to grab Saxony. Austria wanted devour Italy and also to have Germany under her control before.
It was the keen desire of Great Britain to retain all French colonies within the revolutionary wars and to enjoy the naval supremacy of the continent. France was anxious to retain the kingdoms.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The smaller states had their individual plans. Under such conditions it was next to impossible to solve any problem successfully.”
In addition to the above, the working system was very loose, irregular and in disarray. There was no provision of voting and the presentation of the resolutions.
The serious and complicated problems of various states were solved without ascertaining the opinions of those states.
The boundaries of the states were reduced or extended at the dinners and in dancing houses. In this respect, Dr. Satyaketu Vidyalankar has again observed:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
“Nobody was bothered about the public opinion of the kingdoms whose fate was being decided. The voice of the delegates of Russia, Austria, Prussia and Britain was all powerful.
There was no procedure for appointing the president of the Congress. Metternich held the dual office as the president of the Congress and as the minister of Austria. He acted in an arbitrary manner.”