Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-09-06
THE TRIPLE EUROPEAN y AILL1A,Ncr.

For some time after the, close of the
French war, we were told by European
correspondents that an alliance between
Germany and Russia was arranged, the
object of which would be the dismember-
ment of the dominions of the Hapsburgs
and the permanent division and humilia-
ton of the French people. These reports
were generally accepted, because it was be-
lieved Germany desired the overthrow of
the Austrian Government and the incor-
poration of the rich Bohemian territory
into its new map of Central Europe.
The report, therefore, of the triple alli-
ance between Germany, Austria and1taly,
given in the CHRONICLE few days ago,
was, doubtless, news for which most read
ers were unprepared. The contamination
of this important combination of great
powers is one of the most significant events
of the day, and worthy of attention. In
the opinion of close observers of European
politics, this alliance is a guarantee of the
future peace of Europe, and a study of
some of the reasons that brought it about
may prove of interest.
All readers familiar with the geography
of Europe will appreciate at once the i'm
portance of an alliance between these three
great powers whose territory is so COM
pactly Joined in the very heart of Europe
and stretching from the Northern seas to
the Mediterranean. Its advantages would
be .incalculable in case of a great conti-
mental war.
This great international pact will prove
a strong one, because mutually profitable.
To Austria it is almost indispensable. On
each side are dangers constantly menacing
her. On the east she has large provinces
which Russia is anxious to incorporate in
to her immense dominions. A rupture be-
tween these two powers was heretofore
imminent Italy has long looked with
covetous eyes on Trieste and TRENT, Dali
malta and Illyria. Buta few weeks ago
deputation frow two of these pro-
vinces called upon King Emanuel and
prayed to become subjects of Italy. On
the third side it is we'll known that Bis
mark has since 1856 desired to annex the
rich Bohemian provinces to the map of
united Germany. BY this alliance Aus
tria dispels all these dangers, and Beust
will therefore be able to give more of his
time to the great reformation and reorga-
nization of the domestic affairs of the
Empire, which he wisely feels are neces-
sary.
Italy gains by this alliance for it makes
impossible any foreign Interference with
already delicate and complicated troubles
with the Pope. 1t guarantees also peace
with Austria, a power which she could
not well now afford to engage. There are
serious questions for King Emanuel to set
tie within his own borders and the re-
moval of all apprehensions of trouble with
his nearest neighbors will leave him UNI
in solving them. Il
Germany, by her recent signal and un-
paralleIed triumphs, occupied a dangerous
situation. She had dangerous and jealous
rivals who could not permit her to stand a
menace to the peace of Europe
because of her unrivalled armies. The
danger to her was that this fear would
provoke a coalition against her which
would make her triumphs the most costly
ever achieved. She could not afford these
risks and she now avoids them.
The ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Austria would
only give to Russia a lions share in the
division of territory, and would not re-
lieve Germany of the threatened offensive
alliances. She desires too to make her
victory over France permanent and
crowning one. She will watch closely its
recuperation and take good care that it
does not too soon accumulate strength
enough to be the nucleus of dangerous
continental coalition.
These are some of the mutual interests
that have provoked this new alliance and
likely to make it effective and durable.
The combination is very strong one and
creditable to the recognised genius of Bis
marck, the sagacity of Beust the popular
Austrian Prime Minister, and the sound
judgment of Venosta the chief adviser of
King Emmanuel.
DEMOCRATIC newspapers pirate continu-
ally heavy about taxes, corruption at
Washington and extravaganza under Re
publican rule. Let all such consider and
answer the following comparisons between
the expenditures of Democratic thieves in
New York and Republican officials at
Washington, as made by Secretary Delano
in a speech last week at Sandusky, Ohio:
The secret accounts of the New York City
Government illustrate the venaity, peculation
and political prostitution which cover the Tam
many Democracv and render its moral atrnne-