The Dominion. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1911. ALLIANCE AND ENTENTE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1229, 11 September 1911, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1911. ALLIANCE AND ENTENTE.

The questions engaging chief attention within European chancelleries during recent months have, without douht, been the stability of the Triple. Alliance and thc_ cohesion of tho Triple Entente. Since the meeting of the Tsar and Kaiser at Potsdam last November it has been openly stated that Russia was inclined to forsake the Triple Entente and take her place by the side of Germany. That premier pessimist of European Journalists, Dr.. E. J. Dillon*, writing in the Contemporary Ecvicw the following month, declared that Russia was turning over a new leaf. She had, he wrote, publicly abandoned a position in diplomacy which she recognised was untenable "and while she does not repudiate the Anglo-French Entente is practically _ reconciled to Germany." "This right-about-face," added Dr. Dillon, "is an historic event." Time has proved Dr. Dillon to be wrong. In these columns wc pointed out that the in j spired press of Germany alone agreed with this somewhat remarkable correspondent; and that, when the truth became known, it would be found that the agreement reached betwixt Tsar and Kaiser was much less important than tho German press represented it to be. This view has now been fully justified. The Triple Entente promises to _ withstand all pressure irrespective of its character or the direction from which it comes. Few intelligent

readers, reviewing tho diplomatic history of Russia, we imagine, would risk the assertion that llussia, when trouble arose, would throw treaties to the wind and take her stand beside the enemy of France. Historic facts should be remembered and some degree of confidence given to nations as well as individuals. By the Franco-Russian Treaty of 1895, which has since been renewed, llussia and France bound themselves by a solemn compact that each would come to the assistance of the other with the whole of its military and naval forces in tho event of either Power being attacked. It is therefore not the case that .Russia might attack Germany if the latter assailed France. Were ■German soldiers to cross the French frontier llussia must inevitably attack Germany. While the. Triple Entente is undivided and therefore strong, what is the condition of the Triple Alliance ? Dr. Holland Hose, who has made a life study of European history, and is the author of several luminous works, s.uch as A Century of Continental History, and The Development nf the European Nations, writing last year, had something to say concerning certain wonderful theorisings of Mr. It. Blatcuford which were published in the Daily Mail. After stating that the Russian people who dislike, or fear, PanGerinanism, would not stand to see Europe Teutonised, Dr. Hose proceeded: "In his (Blatchford's) Armageddon he figures both Austria and Italy taking the>side of Kaiser Wilhelm. This is an impossibility. Italy (ever mindful of the days of Garibaldi and Paljierston) would be far more likely to take sides against the two German Powers than with them. Moreover, the AustroGerman compact, which is the only solid part of the Triple Alliance, is purely of ,_a defensive character. Therefore, if Germany sought to crush France, Austria would not be obliged to draw tho sword. Here, again, self-interest tends to reinforce treaty obligations. Patriotic subjects of Franz Joseph (least of all the Hungarians) do not wish to see their Empiro annexed either altogether or in part •to Germany." There would thus seem to be no particularly ardent desire on tho part of her neighbours to rally to the assistance of Germany. Tho doctrines of Pan-Germanism, it is obvious, militate against Russia, Italy, . or even Austria, seeking to consolidate, or extend tho Dominions of the Kaiser. There may be a secret agreement between Germany and Austria, in addition to the terms set forth in the' Treaty of Alliance; but this seems doubtful. Austria would probably refuse to support Germany in her warlike adventures cither within, or beyond, Europe. Neither Austria nor Italy, could expect to reap _ material advantages from a conflict with the three great Powers, France, llussia, and Great Britain.

|.'_ Count. Aekenthal, Austria's Minister, failed to perceive the results of his coup dc maUrc, virtually at the expense of M. Isvolsky, Russia's Foreign Minister. That episode, which Mr. J. L. Garvin, in the Observer, characterised as "the most remarkable and dubious in European diplomacy since Bismarck's 'double insurance' treaty," brought about the Racconigi meeting and the Italo-Russian Entente. While from Paris' we hear that there is entire community of views among tho French, Russian, and British Cabinets, both French and Italian politicians and writers seem greatly exercised over the future relations of Italy and Austria. A recent writer in the Nouvclle Revue, for example, is found expressing satisfaction because tho Entente cordiale between Russia and Italy will prevent tho Adriatic becoming an Austrian lake. "Austriacus," writing later in the Quarterly lievicu; asks:_ "Is there no hope that this unsatisfactory relation between Austria-Hungary and Italy, which is such a menace to the peace of Europe, may improve in the course of time? Is war between the two Powers really inevitable?" The writer goes on to say that the influence of Germany is not likely to restore a good understanding between the alienated allies for the reason that the influence of Germany in Italy has long been on tho wane. The position which emerges from these facts seems truly remarkable. The Triple, Alliance, clearly unreliable as it is, is invariably quoted as a symbol of overwhelming power. A brief analysis of its constituent elements, however, reveals it in its true light, as a combination for mutual defence as much against its copartners as against outside Powers. That Spain should_ support Germany's pretensions is somewhat surprising; her weight cither way, however, is not likely to disturb the natural balance of power in Europe. The most gratifying features which the Moroccan imbroglio has brought to. light arc tho perfect unanimity and tho firm cohesion of the Powers forming the Triple Entente.