The Triple Alliance and Bismarck's recent Disclosures.

Manawatu Herald, 16 February 1897, Page 3

The Triple Alliance and Bismarck's recent Disclosures.

•- There are three undertakings in the alliance between Germany, Austria and Italy. (1) Austria and Germany pledge themselves to support Italy with their armies in the event of her being attacked by fcht French Republic. (2) Germany and Italy agree to stand by Austria if her interests are endangered by Russian aggression. (8) Austria and Italy undertake to give their aid to Germany if she ia assailed by France supported by Russia. The fact that the Triple Alliance was intended to be a barrier against aggression on the part of Russia as well as of | France, was calculated to throw • these two powers into each others arms. To provide against this source of possible peril, Prince Bismark came to a private understand ing with Russia which was calculated to remove any irritation Russia might oth«rwi3e entertain toward-* Germany as rhe founder of the Triple Alliance. Bipmatk concluded an agreement with Russia under which both powers agreed to preserve a consistent neutrality in the event of either of them being attacked by any third power under provocation. Suoh an agreement protected Germany against any France-Russian coalition, while it- gave Russia good ground to assume that Germany would not really support Austria in any conflict with Russia, so long as lbs chose to consider the confliot as due to adequate provocation. A writer commenting on Bismark's disclosures remarks: — The real import of the disclosures of Prince Biamark consists in the object lesson furnished by these disclosures, as to the praotioal worthlessness of the Triple Alliance and all other treaties whether publics or secret. ____________