The Triple Alliance.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 230, 3 October 1904, Page 2

The Triple Alliance.

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Tho cablegram published last week in reference to the twanty-ttfth an- / mversary of the .Triple AlHnnec j» Somewhat misleading. Tto famous agreement between Oeraany, Austria and Italy dates hack only twen-ty-two years, tout for three y* ft rs previously there had been a dual alliance between Germany A nd Austria. T hen, os « o w, tho big question o* the day was KusaU's Eastern poHey —but it was the Near East, not tho Far East. The two Powers named considered Uussia/s Eastern aspirations were calculated; to threaten the balance of power tn Europe, and so a treaty was. arranged in that year by Prince Bismarck and Cquat Andrassj-, on 4 corfraicd in 1880. A couple of years later Italy e*me t tt and completed the triumvirate. Tfce - ' allied natious agreed to defend their Continental ' Possessions, as then and now existing,, against any other or othera of the Great rowers. In 1887 France ajid Russia were, and J had bmn for some time, uu -fi3n|L'# friendly terms, and it was no doub* this that caused _JJerniany. Austria V and Italy their bonds still 1 closer, The treaty was In that year revised and renewed. Tho exact terms of the agreement have never been made public, but it is understood to establish a close league both for offensive and defensive purposes. One main object of the nl- , liance was to maintain the balance of power In the Mediterranean an object which undoubtedly had the sympathy of Great Britain, though the British Government entered Into no formal pledge on this matter. The Triple Alliance w a s renewed t n 1801. in 1890, and again In 1902.—N Z Times.

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