TRIPLE ENTENTE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1486, 8 July 1912, Page 7

TRIPLE ENTENTE.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY. By Teleeraph-Press AfisociaUon-Copyrieht (Rec. July 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 6. -the St. Petersburg correspondent of 'Ihe Times" states that there are positive grounds for asserting that tho Tsnr has unalterably. resolved to maintain and develop the alliance with Franco and (lie agreement with Britain. Tho creation of a strong navy, ho declares, shows that Russia, is tobe rendered absolutely independent of Germany. SOME DIFFERENCES OF OPINION/ A section of the Continental Press" has tor sonio time past been attempting to throw doubt on the smooth working of tho i'ranoo-Russian Alliance. The Vienna correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph," in a-dispatch on May 23, said:— "That certain differences have cropped up between France and Russia since last J ay«aTy is indisputable. The first rift within the lute occurred in January, not between tho French Ambassador and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, but between M. Sazonolf and M. Poincare in ?"!• J* $? rlied u P°n the Chinese loan, which the Russian Minister would have nothing to do with under tho, conditions then proposed, his reason being that Russia had special interests in the Far East, for which due allowance had not been made.

_ 'The French Premier was naturally desirous- of working tho matter out to a happy issue before M. Sazonoff quitted Paris, but the uncompromising attitude assumed by the Russian Foreign Secretary received the unqualified approval of tho Prime Minister. And the entire Imperial Government steadfastly persisted in this courso until circumstances changed sufficiently to justify their modifying their refusal to participate in tho Chinese loan. That was tho first caso of divergence between Russian and French views, and the Ambassador, M. Louis, had nothing to do with it. ' Tho second incident turned upon Near Eastern Affairs, and the source of dissension was again Paris. . M. Sazonoff had made his proposal that the Powers should take certain steps in Rome, with a view to clearing tho ground for mediation, Mould it seem feasible. Pourparlers had been going on for some time, and the Russian Foreign Office might, perhaps, 'feel that considerable headway would shortly be made, when M. Poincaro unexpectedly came forward with an independent suggestion, which, while in'name appearing to lie but tactically different from M. Sazonoff's, was, in its consequences, hardly distinguishable ,from Radical dissidence. Here, again, the Ambassador of France made no positivo contribution to the disharmony, and he cannot be blamed for making M. Poincare's view his own. And M. Sazonoff would bo the last man to demand his recall, for that. As it was the two Ministers who differed, it is they who will shortly meet in St. Petersburg and bridgo over the distance that divides thorn.

RUSSIA'S SPECIAL INTERESTS. It should not be forgotten that the interests of the Powers of the Triple Entente differ largoly from each other at Mmes, and always much more considerably than those of Germany and Austria. That is a necessity rooted in their respective geographical, historical, and economic characteristics. A certain section of the Continental, press would have ua believe that these differences, which in an atmosphere of friendship would melt rapidly, aro portentous. If Imay venture upon a personal appreciation of Russian, policy under 11. Sazonoff, I confess I am struck by the fact that it tends visibly towards the accentuation and special preferential cultivation of Russia's own .needs, claims, and privileges. 'Thus, she has special interests in Manchuria, Mon--1 interests m-J'er-.i siai "special interests' in" the" Dardanelles and the Near East generally, and for each sot of special interests which sho refuses to. pool .with those of her friends sho de--mands special recognition of such a substantial kind as is. never granted to any Power without a corresponding set-off. If Bolioitudo for .these special interests, rather than pursnit of common aims, continued to shape Russia's policy, it would be bound to produce conflicting-experien-cies among tho Entente Powers. Consciousness of this source of danger has engendered a sense of disquietude in Europe To remove the general anxiety by cheek-' ing these aberrating tendencies, and to devise a settled scheme of common aims and a definite system of diplomatio tactics and strategy constitute tho 'main objects of the French Premier's forthcomipg visit to St, Petersburg.