New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-07
ENGLISH ALLAN

The supreme aim of Lord BeacOnsfelds di-
plomacy was the restoration of British influence
in the German capitals. Prince Bismarck, DIS
corning the two quarters from which the peace
of the Empire would be mcnaced in the future
had endcavored to counteract the forces OF race
antagonism in Russia and national resentmentin
France by establishing the closest relations be-
tween Berlin and Vienna and giving new Ill
rection to the ambition of the llabsburgs IN
Southeastern Europe. What Lord Beacohs-
field succeeded in doing was to form a nominal
rather than "A formal alliance with the German
capitals He cvinced willingness to work win
them on what the Jingoes termed give ana
take principles The alliance with France
while it was not openly abandoned, was re-
garded as matter of secondary Importance.
1t was tolerated. and so far az Egypt was con-
cerned, nOminally strengthened, but dlstrust OF
Russia formed a common ground OF action De-
tween London and the German centres OF Ill
ulop1acy Lord BeacOnsfield was Tor season
the only European statesman for whose genius
Prince Bismarck seemed to entertain any feel
ings of respect and admiration. They were the
leading figures at IL Congress in which Prince
Gortschakolf played subordinate part and 1t
patton of Bosnia and the Herzegovina, thereby
promoting the German Chanccllors iavorlte
project of giving the IIa6sburgs compensations
in European TurGey for the provinces and pres
tige they had lost in Italy and Germany.
One of the first TRADES to which ME- OIad-
stone was exposed from the Tory press alter
he became Premier was caused BY an unneces-
sarily candid letter addressed to the Austrian
Minister in London. Certain passages III the
Midlothian Election addresses had wounded
the susceptbilitieS of the Court at Vienna ana
Mr.GladstOne in attempting to explain thcih ana
to correct misrepresentation, made what was
currently regarded as IA formal apology Tor IN
discreet campaign utterances. From thai mo-
nent the Tory press despalIed OF his diplomacy
Lord BeacOnsfeds policy, it was charged was
reversed in this a. in other respects. ne
German alliance was rcnOunced rs Coht-
mental intrigue. The rivalry with Russia was
allowed to cool: cordial understanding with
the French Government became the supreme
ssre at the Foreign ONCE and the old lines OF
European accord and diplomatic inaction were
closely followed Yet singulary enough, now
that Mr.. Gladstone has been in office for thirty
months, the alliance with France has proved
and the relations between Great Britain and
the German Courts are more cordial than ever.
Sir Charles Dixie has declared that the expe-
ditlOn to Egypt has received the hearty ap-
proyal of the Foreign Offices at Berlin ana
Vienna, and the utterances OF the Official Jour
mails in those capitals prove that TINS Is not an
empty boast. so long a. there was a prospect
of Joint intervention on the part OF England
and France, the AustrO- German press eUc0ur-
AGED the Porte to OTTER resistance to the pre-
tensions of the Western Powers. As soon aN
France receded from her position and left Eng
land to pursue rcsOlutc policy slngle-hahded,
there was complete change OF tone on the
Continent. British influence is now as strong
in either German capital as it WAS in the palmi-
est days OF the Beaconsiield furorc.
Ii is curious to observe the reluctance OF the
French press to face the facts. Here Is the
TtaapS one of the best informed journals IN all
matters of foreign policy, maintaining that
General Wolselcy's expedition Will he %: more
benefit to France than to England, because 1t
tends to lessen the importance OF Germany,
whose supremacy in Europe can hereafter be
opposed by an Anglo French alliance. The OBJ
yious reply would be that, after the collapse OF
the scheme OF dual diplomacy and joint inter
vention IN Egypt, no dependence can he placed
ON an alliance with country where Ministries
are notorious for instability and where there Is
an utter lack of continuity i'll foreign policy.
No English statesman during the present gen
Grafton will make the alliance OF the Western
Powers an important factor IN his diplomatic
problems But even if that alliance had not
lost its value, the revival of En- hsh influence
ON the Continent would tend to strengthen,
rather than to weaken the relations of Great
Britain and Germany. Here are two countries
bound together by ties of blood, dyhastc re-
Iations and traditional policy, with No conflict
ing interests in any part OF the globe If Great
Britain acquires increased prestige and power
by the Egyptian expedition, her diplomatic
alliances in future will be with rather chan
against the strongest Government on the Con-
tlnent.
THE JTDCE HAS HOPES