Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1911. THE TRIPLE ENTENTE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10173, 24 February 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1911. THE TRIPLE ENTENTE.

The cables which, have reached New Zealand of late have conveyed brief, though ominous information concerning the relations between the respective Powers. The negotiations which have been proceeding between Germany and Russia have been specially significant. A diplomatic correspondent of the London Daily Mail, in 'discussing the position, sa y S: — "Let us. recall for .a moment the origin of "existing combinations in Europe. After the war of 1870 Bismarck used ©very effort to weaken and isolate France. He succeeded' until 1869, when Russia, deprived of part of the spoils of her war against Turkey, turned against Germany and became the ally of France. The pressure of a shifting balance of (power in Europe "forced Great Srit'aii* But of hep "splendid isolation." W© came to an understanding with France. .After the Japanese war Russia became amenable. to friendly overtures. Thus the Triple Entente iwas K completed. The Berlin Congress' was responsible also for the Triple Alliance, of Germany, Austria, and Italy. When Russia, al-

ready suspicious of Austrian ambitions in the Near East, left Berlin for Paris, Germany retorted by strengthening her alliance with tria in order to minimise the risk of a coalition .against her. Italy, returning empty-handed from the Berlin Congress, turned to Germany ■ and Austria. Thus the Triple Alliance was completed. These rival combinations introduced a new era into international politics. They changed the centre of gravity to Berlin. The Algeciras Conference of 1905, wbere Great Britain stood by France, widened the rift in Europe and' opened the eyes of the Emperor William to the urgent need for a great Navy. With the growth; of her Navy, Germany entered on a new phase of her "world-politics," which began with the Anatolian and Bagdad railways, with the lease of Kiaochow and a sphere of influence in Shantung, with the purchase of the Caroline Islands, and the possession 6i colonies in Airica. The Balkan crisis of 1909 gave Germany the chance of testing the reality of the policy of ."hemming in" and the strength of the Triple Entente as > an instrument of defence. The en- , tente instantly revealed the weakness inherent, in all combinations whose purpose is peace and not war. The rattling of the German sabre in St. Petersburg brought to a sudden end the perilous controversies of, seven months, and showed the ; Ger-' man Emperor an unlocked "cibor on the eastern frontier. Since thattime Germany has been' knocking at that door. Rivalry in the Far East divided Russia from Austria and made friendship with Germany impossible. That rivalry is ended for the moment. Although, contrary to reports, no agreement was come to at the meeting between the Czar and the Emperor Francis Joseph, the German Imperial Chancellor has declared that an agreement with regard to the Balkans is certain. Thus one of the main obstacles to complete understanding with the Triple Alliance is removed. With regard to Turkey, the position is not so clear or so promising. Russia had, a policy in the Ottoman* Empire, and Germany has both a policy and material interests which have recently been strengthened by the failure "of the French loan and the refusal of.'Bri-., tish financial assistance. Germany advanced the money, and with it secured! important modifications of her railway .schemes in Asia Minor which will enable her to proceed more expeditiously with the line to Bagdad. Russia, according to the terms of the proposed agreement, undertakes not to obstacle in the way of this undertaking. This provision affects Great Britain inasmuch as, it opens the road' for Germany from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. It is true that we refused to have any part in the Bagdad railway, but we have never abandoned) the hope—if not the determination—to have a voice, in its control when the line reaches Bagdad, and begins to approach the Persian Gulf. s In Persia the agreement affects Great 'Britain- in this way. While Germany confirms Russia in her position in the north of Persia nothing lis sai<|,about, ijhe.ppsitjon. of: Great Britain- in the South of Persia. The rivalry of Great! Britain and Russia in the Middle East, which preserved intact the Shah's dominions even ' during internal revolution, was closed ,by the Anglo-Russian Convention. The respective . spheres; of of the two Powers were fixed. Are we to understand that Germany acknowledges the whole of the convention or only that part of it which affects Russia? 'These are problems that compel us to watch with the keenest interest the progress of the negotiations between Berlin and St. Petersburg. There are, ihowever, two conditions which must .be accepted as good omens. There has been no secrecy .about the overtures which began three years ago. The German Chancellor has admitted the whole world to the negotiations. ' We cannot complain of any attempt, at -concealment. Neither can; we disoover in the.intentionij of Russia any desire to disturb the balance of power in Europe and Asia. If we;- take the trouble ltd calculate the advantages to Russia of 1 the Triple Entente we, shall see how in-, finitely greater they are than any possible advantages to be derived from this limited agreement with Germany."