The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1908. A TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2370, 10 December 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1908. A TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Just when the old Triple Alliance •oerns to have come to an ignominious tnd through Austria’s disregard of treaty obligations, there comes a. rumor of another understanding between three nations which, if carried into effect", would have a most potent bearing on the future of Europe, and indeed of the whole world. If it is true that, as the German newspaper

■•Lokalanzeiger” states, a formal alliance between France,, Russia, and England is imminent, then wo arc indeed on the eve of an international episode of tremendous import. The obvious effect would be to leave Germany out in the cold and give her the opportunity of playing as best she might the game of “magnificent isolation” which for a lengthy period was the traditional role of the British. Superficially such an agreement would appear to be an excellent one from the British standpoint, for it would seem to give an effectual quietus to any offensive aspirations Germany might liavo towards England. On the other hand, ic is just possible that the conclusion of such an alliance might have the opposite effect of that intended, and instead of making for the peace of the world might provoke tho German nation in a wav that nothing else could. The fact that Germany would almost certainly come out second best- .in any trial of strength with the combination mentioned does not alter the fact that a European war would be a disastrous affair for all parties concerned. It is not likely that Germany would venture to make an attack in the face of such odds, but no one can say definitely how far the fury of a roused people might take them.* This would simply be playing into tho hands of the warlike Kaiser, who one cannot Help thinking, despite his protestations of peaceful intentions, would welcome the opportunity to play the rolo of a Xapplcon or Wellington. The feature of tho present European issue is the strained relationships that have existed between Germany and England for some time as a result of the feverish haste with which the former nation is building a navy that is obviously meant to rival that of Britain. Englishmen declare that the German navy is intended for no other purpose than lo challenge Britain’s supremacy of the sea at the earliest date with an invasion of England to follow her maritime humiliation. Tho Kaiser and his advisers on the other hand assort that their navy is being built with the sole object of protecting her rapidly increasing commerce. Whatever may he the ultimate intentions of Germany, both her rulers and the masses indignantly repudiate any feelings of enmity towards the English at the present time. Both theso great nations, whilst burdening their peoples to the utmost .unit to increase their war efficiency, are talking nothing but peace and fraternity, and the question is whether such an alliance as lias been suggested may not have the effect of producing the desire for war which at present is only suspected. But for this one point, we should say an alliance between France, Russia, and England could not fail to prove of benefit to the world, as it should tend to greater stability in all international affairs. Britain already lias an alliance with Japan, an understanding with Russia in connection with the spheres of influence in Southern Asia, and agreements with the United States, Spain, and France, which in the aggregate should provide a fairly good guarantee against war.

addition to geographical knowledge, must be awarded a brilliant place in the annals of adventurous exploration.

“Since, in 1890, Dr Hedin first applied himself to the solution of the geographical problems of Central Asia by liis journey through Khorassan and Turkestan, he lias secured a worldwido reputation as one of the hardiest as well as one of tho most 'adventurous and successful of explorers. None of his former travels, however, surpass in the variety of their perils tho story of tfio journey which has just reached its last stage at Simla, after the prolonged absence of news had begun to cause keen anxiety for Dr lledin’s safety.

“The traveller in tho wilds of Central Asia, and. especially in Tibet, has, perhaps, to reckon with a more daunting combination of difficulties antcrpsoed by men and by Nature than is now to he found in any other quarter of the globe, with the possible exception of the interior of Arabia. The traditional exclusiveness of that Tibetan character now shows some signs of relaxation, in virtue of that contact with the outer world which even the Lamas, in their remote and wintry highlands, have not wholly been able to prevent. It is gratifying for Englishmen to recall! that Dr Hedin has borne special testimony to the far more cordial treatment which he experienced on his journey in 1997 than during its predecessors, and that he attributes this welcome change of •attitude to tho excellent understanding established by Sir Frank Younghusband at Lhasa four years ago. “But the difficulties of this latest expedition consisted no dess in eluding the vigilance and suspicion of the inhabitants than in sustaining health or bare life in the members of the expedition, in face of the terrible ordeal's of storm, cold, and hunger which were experienced throughout a great part of the journey. “Dr Hedin must surely sometimes reflect that on his own most characteristic excursions nq, prospects please, while both nature and man are vile. The ordinary European, in whom the primal Aryan passion for exploration has long been atrophied by civilisaationpnay well feel the keenest admiration for such feats of courage, ingenuity, and endurance as have been once more displayed since December last, in a new quarter of his own familiar field, by the famous Swedish explorer.”