PEACE OR WAR?

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 242, 18 February 1888, Page 5 (Supplement)

PEACE OR WAR?

The text of the new Triple Alliance between Italy, Austria, and Germany has been published In this city. In this Austria pledges herself to a benign neutrality in the event of a Franco-Italian war, and Italy will observe neutrality should Russia and Austria become engaged in war. Austria is pledged to promote Italian interests in the Mediterranean, but will takeno partin the Balkans dispute without first having obtained the consent of Italy. The latter is pledged to offer mutual assistance to Germany if France attacks Germany or Austria, but if a Franco-Russian attack is made on either Germany or Austria then the three Powers shall place the full strength of their allied armies against the aggressors. A supplementary treaty is being arranged between Italy, Austria, and England providing for the defence of the former's coast in the event of any hostile lauding being made by either France or Russia.

Berlin, February 11. The "Neu FreiePresse" announces that Great Britain has agreed to de- | fend the coasts of Austria and Italy in the event of a war between the Central Powers and France and Russia.

London, February 9. The European situation is causing i great excitement here. The complications which have now arisen are considered to be more ominous than those of any previous crisis. j Lord Salisbury, Premier, in a speech in the House of Lords, said that the British Government intended to uphold Britain's policy and interest in South Eastern Europe which had always been advocated by England. The only danger that he had apprehended was that Bussia would resort to adventurous and- illegal action, but he had it on specific authority that Bussia would abstain from any illegality. He attached great value to the assurances of the Great Powers that peace would be maintained.