THE DTemuka Leader. TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1891. EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2239, 11 August 1891, Page 2

THE DTemuka Leader. TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1891. EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

The position of affairs in Europe at the present time is well calculated to excite speculation. The renewal of the Triple Alliance appears to have come on those immediately concerned as a surprise. This is an alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy, in which they undertake to stand by one another in the event of war. France being in reality the only other great power in western Europe, Britain excepted, saw herself hemmed in without a friend. She is a republic, and naturally the old monarchies, tottering as they are under an accumulation of centuries of misgovernment, do not like her, and her position is therefore one of isolation. Spain, once the great ruler of the seas, has sunk down below the scale at which reckoning is taken, and has no higher ambition than to support poor little Portugal in her African speculations. Greece is never spoken of, neither is Hungary, nor any of the smaller states, most of which are under the protection of Germany. France, therefore, saw her position becoming critical, and she looked to the Czar as the friend on whom she must rely. The alliance is really extraordinary. Here we have a democratic country under a republican form of Government, and the most autocratic monarchy entering into a union for mutual protection. Events, too, point in the direction of the probability of England joining them. The French fleet went first of all to Russia, and there it appears the treaty was ratified. For some reason which nobody can understand, the French fleet has been invited to call on its way back at England, and great preparations are being made for their reception. What is this for ? Does it not look very much like a part of the programme of a second Triple Alliance? The second combination would also be good. In it there would be a republic, the most liberal limited monarchy in the world, and also the most autocratic monarchy in the world. France and Russia would make up the two extremes, and England the happy medium. There can be no doubt, too, but the second alliance wodld be powerful. It would at any moment be an over-match for alliance number one. But such an alliance, instead of promoting war, would ensure peace, because both parties would then be so formidable that neither would like to take the responsibility of the first blow.. Indeed, we cannot very well see where, under, such circumstances, the excuse for fighting would come in. The old feud between France and Germany may be revived, but in such a case the other powers would step in and prevent war. The Czar may fall back on his old excuse of protecting the interests of Christians under | Turkish rule, but in such a case ■ Turkey would readily agree to any reforms which the powers would suggest. Being in alliance with England, of course, Russia could not find any excuse for inyading our Indian pos- j sessions, and so if things result from ■ the visitation of the French fleet as present indications point to we cannot see that there is any prospect of war. One result we hope for is that some- . thing will be done for the Russian Jews. It is more than probable that : the treatment which the Jews are being subjected to will eventually lead to trouble. The countries on the borderland object, to Russia pushing ■ her pauper Jews on them, and who can blame them. It is therefore very ; probable that serious consequences may yet arise between Russia and her , neighbours. We do not think it very creditable to France or England to enter into any alliance with Russia while the Jews are being treated in the cruel way they ; have been. The Jews are Russians, j they have a right to a home in the j land of their birth, and it is outrageous ■ to insist on their leaving. If they are | guilty of wrong the law ought to punish ' them, but it is scandalous to drive . them out of the country wholesale. It is to be hoped these alliances will re-

suit in something being done to alleviate the sufferings, and redress the wrongs of the poor Jews, and then we should say indeed that the alliances were not in vain.