THE PEACE OF EUROPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1762, 9 February 1888, Page 2

THE PEACE OF EUROPE.

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

r rJCB PAKS3 AB3OOIATIOPr.]

Berlin, F*v>rn»r T 7 In tho Reichstag last night, Prince Bismarck made a long speech dealing with the present European Situation. He said the policy of France had been of pacific character since the election of M. Sadi-Carnot to the Presidential ! chair. Ho did not appreh nd a Uusuan 1 attack as tho assurance given b* the Czar was absolute. The present situation was not m any way different from that of 1879, and he perceived no cause 6t pretext for either a Russian or European war. War with France wo aid not necessitate a Russian one, though the latter might involve the former. Referring to the Alliance he said it was not entered into as • menace to other Powers, but was concluded on the ground of common interests, and with tho view of averting dangers common to the throe Powori. When tne work of re-organis-ing the Landwehr was completed, Germany could place a million soldiers on each frontier which no other Power was able to do . Uormany would then support Russia's claims for a revival of the latter's influence m Bulgaria m accordance with treaty. 'Germany was anxious for peace, but if attacked, the valour of the Teutonic race would prove irresistible The speech caused an immense sensation m the ReichHtag, »n<l a Bill dea'ing with the reorganisation of the Landwehr was immediately gassed, and formally referred to the Loan Bill Committee, There was a Urge crowd of spectators m the Chamber at tho time, and the Chancellor was loudly cheered on the conclusion of his speech, London. February 4 The new Triple Alliance Treaty is precisely similar to that of the alliance entered into by Germany and Austria, m 1879, Italy being simply admitted m the later treaty . The publication of the text oi the treacy is considered to be the turning point m the history of the present situation, and is regarded as the last warning to Russia .

| February 8. ; The general feeling m diplomatic circles i» that Prince Bismarck's speech is the Kei'hstag is of an eminently pacifio character, and that it is calculated | to remove all cause of war. ViBNNi., F Jbrnary 5 The newspapers here repudiate the idea that the publication of the treaty has any warlike meaning, and state that the only object was to enlighten and re assure Europe on the matter. Vienna, Fnhrniry7. • The ambiguous reference made to the Bulgarian question by Prince Bismarck m his speech last night has 'caused a feeling of disappointment here.

Pakis, F«brui\rp 5 Tho Preßß hern, commenting on the ; publication of tho treaty, remark that it will happily have tho effect of influencing amicable relations with France and Kuasia, and deepen the abyss betweon Germany and the latter Power. "Le Journal dea Debates " regardg it as a cannon shot alarm. { i-T PETBHBBUBO February 5 TJio "Journal de fefc. Petersburg" says that the terms of the Alliance show that Austria and Germany have resolv- d to maintain peaoe, and expresses a liope that they wilt bo auoooeoful m doing 00.

Febrn»r<? 7. Biimarck's speech m tho Reichstag has been well received m Russian official circles, where it is considered to he of a pacific character. It is felt, however, that the speech loaves many points connected with the Triple Alliance Treaty inrolved iv doubt.