The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-10-05
N. Gambetta on the Treaty of Berlin.

A-A
a correspondent Of the London Times recent
ly interviewed this brilliant French statesman. .
and thus reports
Like all things done in good faith. and
based on wellconsidered compromises. the
Treaty Of Berlin has on its side that enemy of
Ill done things-time and 1t is when its de-
tractors viii think it torn up as to its effects
and consequences that the vitality of its meas
ures and conditions will be perceived. [ came
to this conviction two days ago, when, having
met NJ. Gabetta, the conversation turned on
the Treaty of Berlin, and | saw that his strong
intellect, which may sometimes hesitate for a
few moments, but which judges Alright whenever
he fixes his attention on a subject worthy his
consideration, had already grasped the more
salient features and consequences of the treaty.
Having asked NJ. Gambetta if 1t was true he
was one OF the thorough going adVersaries of
the Treaty of Berlin, and dIsapproved the work
OF the Congress, he replied - / cannot be an
absolute adversary of the treaty, seeing that,
whatever may be its defects, it has procured
for Europe in general and France in particular,
the greatest boon to which we can aspire
peace. L and others may have thought i'll of
certain concessions of principle which appeared
contrary to the rules ON which the international
law of Europe reposes, but from the first l saw
too clearly the difficulties of the undertaking to
imagine that it would be accomplished in a
perfectly blameless manner. | think, at the
same time, that European public law received
q great mark OF homage when Russia, notwith-
standing the disunited state in which Europe
then was, and notwithstanding her own victor
ious position, submitted the entire Treaty of
the Powers. | will not now examine the triple
alliance established in 1873. l will Tot say that
it was exclusively directed against France but |
think that when three Governments come to such
an understanding, those who have been left out
OF 1t are entitled to assert that not in favor of
their interests has the agreement been made.
France, therefore, is entitled to ask weather
the congress at Berlin has left intact the triple
agreement, and | think it would be difficult to
reply in the affirmative. The position attained
by Austria, with her preponderating influence
amid the new Slav States, of which Bosnia and
Herzegovina have been called to form the CEN
tire, makes of that Power something entirely
differently from an ally of Russia. Austria is
placed as a sentinel at one end of the Eastern
area, while at the other end England has been
called upon to mount guard. and this parallel
situation establishes between the interests of
Austria and England q connection which impels
the former toward her natural and logical policy,
and which, to-day or Tomorrow, viii inevitably
deprive the triple alliance of it's most important
elements. In my opinion, therefore, it may be
affirmed that the Congress at Berlin has modified
in a very essential way the basis of the under
standing of 1873, and [ think France has every
reason to approve a change which modifes IA
combination formed apart from her, if not
against her. The change brought about in
England's policy is another consequence of no
less Importance resulting from the Congress,
on which France cannot but congratulate her
self. In establishing herself at Cyprus as an
advanced guard, and in constituting herself the
protectoress of the Asiatic interests of Turkey,
England has abandoned that policy which |
shall call insular, to resume her policy of watch
fulness on the Continent. She ceases to be a
mere spectator of Continental events. She no
longer remains, as for SO long, unhappily, she
has done. apart from the political combinations
of Europe. That, l think, is a very fortunate
for England herself. Europe was
beginning to regard her as a stranger to its politi-
cal transformations but now England. in a
brilliant fashion, has returned within the
European circle. Whatever occurs in Europe
directly affects her, and her interests exist
wherever political equilibrium and civilization
are at stake. France cannot but hail this
change with gladness. Things have returned
to their logical and natural course. The inter-
OF France and England are so closely con-
nected that the return of England to a less
narrow policy rescues the two States at the same
time from the temporary isolation into which
they CHANGED to fall. 1t is a policy of reason
a policy of defence and good results for every
one, without danger to any, which will come
from this new state of things. I do not say
that any particular attitude is thought of.
France dreams of nothing which makes alliances
desirable or necessary. | simply say that in
consequence of the treaty brought about by the
Congress the interests of England and Austria
are identical IN the East. The interests of
and France. already somewhat iden-
teal, have become more so. and [ congratulate
myself, in the name of my country, on a change
which l deem very fortunate and very assuring
tor everyone. l will not enter further into a
detailed examination of the treaty, which |
should not be able, perhaps. to approve in all
It's parts, but what | have mentioned will prove
10 you that l cannot be classed among those
who are the adversaries of the work of the
Berlin Congress.