EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1696, 9 February 1888, Page 1

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. Berlin, Feb. 3.

A great sensation has run through Europe by the official publication by the Berlin, Vienna, and Pesth newspapers of the full text of the Triple Alliance of 1887. The document emphasises the declaration that tho alliance ia contracted for purely defensive objects. Tho first article provides that the combined forces of thecontracting Powers shall resist, kuj hostile movement made by Russia on either of the three contracting Powers. The second article provides that if another power (meaning France) attacks either of the contracting Powers, and Russia joins that Power, or threatens either of the allied Powers, the latter shall assist the Power attacked or threatened by placing the lull strength of their allied forces in tha field against the aggressor. The secoud articie contains a stiingently worded proviso to the effect that, in the event of the allied forces taking the field, peace shall not be concluded unlese two of the contracting Powers formally signify their assent to such a course. The third article accepts the peaceful assurances of the Czar, but provides far giving proper warning when the allies consider that an attack i R on either of the contracting Powers, or whenever a Power outside the alliance assumes a menacing attitude.

The Berlin semi-official organs declare that the publication of the text of the Triple Alliance is a warning to the disturbers of tile peace, and will have the effect of subduing any belligerent spirit that might olhf-rwise hhi- iii-T.if.-'at •:] itself at St. or Paris. Fob. :>,

The presri of Europe ;->vne?aiij consider the publication of ths l'u'.l ot {he alliance treaty as th« k\sl teaming !o Russia, and expresses the opinion that the warning will probably result peacefully. Prince Bismarck has privately expressed a similar opinion. It is expected that Prince Bismarck will address the Reichstag on Monday. There has Iven a sharp decline on the Continental bourses in Russian, Austrian, and Italian stocks. St. Petersburg, Feb. 3.

Notwithstanding protests made jointly by Germany mid Austria that continued war preparations by Russia would be regarded only as threats by other European Powers, those preparations are continuing and increasing in their significance. Feb. 5, A gloomy view of tho situation is taken at Moscow since the publication of th' % silianrr? tree*v. Tho Prep? in this city adopt* ;i traoqiii! yei eynicn! (iem-vftnotir in connection with site, treaty revfllnli'tii. The Novoe V-reno'iiva ?»ys that Russia will calmly approve of Germany's peaceful intontinns. Vienna, Feb. 5.

The Pestber Lloyd says that the Triple Alliance will extend much beyond a Wcvolent neutrality if the interests of tither of the allied Powers are assaibd. Rome, Jan. 19. The Italian press stales (hat the Alliance Treaty provides that in the event ofFrance attacking either of the allied Pavers, the unassniled Powers will send 400000 troops to assist the Power attacked,

Signoi Crispi, the Premier, declared in the Clamber on Saturday that the Europeai situation ia less serious than is imagimd, and that the publication of tha treatt was intended as a warning and not is a menace. The allies, he said, were firmly resolved to defend the peace of Europe. The Chamber passed a vote o: confidence in the Premier at the close of his remarks. Constantinople, Feb. 3.

Fortyone iusurgtnts have been arrested fir entering Roumelia with the objjet »f investigating a revolt at Boirgas, a city which has recently buen thescena of several serious disturbances. Tin plotters were arrest»d by the order of :he Turkish Government. Taris, Feb. 5.

Ibe French press b«ld that the (Jssar ei'irmt now turn back from thy policy In has been pursuing,

London, Feb. 3

A great sensation has been create! throughout Europe by the publication of the terms of llie Triple Alliance In diplomatic circles the pnb'icntion ia regarded as Prince Bismarck's assw r to M.FJourens' hint of a desire for reconoiliatiou between France anJ Germany, and also as an answer to the distrustful ton? recently assumed by Ihe Hungarian Press towards Germany. The Times thinks that the publication of the text of the Alliance at the present juncture must bring matters to a crisis, aad that Russian pride must feel itself called upon to resent the revelations made by the publication. It declares ihaMn the face of the menace contained in the treaty Russia cannot with honor reverse her present provocative policy, and hence the increased activity in that country in war preparations, Fob. 5.

M. De Biowitz, the Times Paris correspondent, says that aa opinion prevails that the probabilities of a KussoFrench alliance ate remote.