New-York tribune., 1885-03-27
ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS.
THE NEW UNDERSTANDING WITH GERMANY
AND THE NEW TROUBLE WITH RUSSIA.


Fitzmaurice read in the House Of Commons. con.
tain all that be seems disposed to publish by way OF
answer to Prince Bismarck. People who do not
like Lord Granville or England talk about his
apology to the German Chancellor. The frencn
press is'in Mysteries. The non-o6iical papers at
Berlin choose to describe the speech as not only an
apology but o humble apology. But rs Prince
Bismarck's organs silent. the opinions OF the
Others signify little There is reason to believe that
Count Herbert Bismarck left London with the
belief that all causes Of serious misunderstanding
between England and Germany were removed IL
is not his fault if of the supposed insult to the
British flag at Ambas Bay arrived next morning.
The point which European dplomatists were most
curious about was the Berlin dispatch OF
May g. in which Prince Bismarck offered
to further Englands Interests in Egypt II England
would show herself friendly toward the colonial
policy lof Germany. 1t was uron tho alleged reJec-
ton of these overtures by England that Germany
threw herself into the arms Of France, and Prince
Bsmarck's attack loses its force II this basis Is
taken from it. Lord Granville makes 1t clear that
he never saw the dispatch. 1t was addressed to
Count Munster. 1t was to be communicated by him
to the English Foreign Secretary. But it never was
communicated to him. Lord Granvile's language
is OK plict al never received had until lately,
any knowledge of Prince Bsmarck's dispatch OF
May So It now remains for Count Munster to say
why he kept it back Lvid Granville evidently does
not believe 1t was meant to bo handed or read 10
him. He speaks of it as dispatch which appears
to have been secret and to have dealt generally
with tho political situation for the guidance OF
Count Munster More than that When the
German Ambassador and Count Herbert Bismarck,
then Secretary to tho German Embassy. in London,
told Lord Granville that the German Government
could not bo friendly about Egypt if England were
frion J1,,n al Granville
gave TO each of them assurances with which each
expressed himself satisfied. Prince Bismarck now
SAYS they we're not explicit enough. But he who
is all for oral intercourse, can hardly go back
year to dsavow his own agents; one OF them his
| own son.
The other chief topic of dispute between the two
colleagues" who look after the foreign affairs OF
Germany and England is whether Prince Bismarck
did or did not advise England to take Egypt. Lord
| Granville makes it clear that he did. summary
| of Lord Granvilles answer on the whole case
amounts, therefore. TO this IIo meets the accusa-
tion based on the dispatch of May s. with a denial
| that he had amy knowledge" Of that dispatch.
| He meets Prince Bsmarck's denial that he advised
| England 10 take Egypt with proof that he publicly
| expressed the opinion she ought TO take 1t. He
| declines to follow his colleagues example in dis
| cussing before pubc assembly points of private
| difference between them In respect 10 the conduct
| of diplomatic business. Finally, he expresses his
belief that It is for the interest Of Europe that there
! should be a good understanding between Germany
| and England rs between other great Powers. II
| is true he expresses his regret that what he said
about Egypt Should have given annoyance to Prince
| Bismarck But that Is what is expected her" from
| any man in public private station whose
| language has given offence TO another which was
| not intended.
| ! believe IL will turn out that these disputes
between Prince Bismarck and Lord Granville are
but the prelude 10 n frmer and better understand
| ing between England and Germany and that this Is
precisely what Prince Bismarck intended. His
coquetcries with France not likely In any case To
ripen into a lasting alliance with that capricious
Power. They had an object which has been accom-
| phshod, and France is in position which makes q
| disturbance 10y her OF the peace of Europe all bat
impossible Tho question of the hour II not Egypt.
but Central Asia II seems 10 be understood that
somehow or other ratification 10y Parliament OF
the new Anglo French agreement-for that i what
it is, though an international control is contained
| in twill somehow bo secured. France will then
have lost her only plausible pretext for making
| immediate trouble. and Will have enough on her
| hands in China TO Rcep her quiet at home. But
Russia comes to the front France retres and the
relations between Russia and England are matters
Of deep concern to Prince Bismarck, because they
| involve the peace of Europe.
That Prince Bismarck knew what was preparing
on the confines of Afrhanistan may, ! think. be
taken for granted That he is opposed to any policy
ANYWHERE which threatens European war is
certain That he is Ia position TO press his advice
on Russia with an influence Of tho most auth0rita
tive kind can be disputed only by those who look
upon the triple alliance as a partnership between
Powers of equal force meeting on equal terms
which not the European view All that was
wanting 70 enable Prince Bismarck to dictate
decision was the restoration Of good fellowship with
England. That he has brought aboht In his own
way and il is certain that the first he made OF
the new friendship was to try 10 facilitate an
arrangement with respect TO the Afghan frontier.
Count Herbert Bismarck did not leave London until
he had laid before Lord Granville bis fathers views
on this subject.
II is true that peace does not follow at once. and
that the news this morning is threatening. The
Times believes the risk Of a collision between
Colonel Alikhanof and the Afghans. if not with the
forces OF Sir Peter Lumsden, imminent Russia, IL
is understood, has refused the latest proposals OF
the English Government. and their troops, instead
of retiring from Zulhker, have advanced. Sir Peter
Lumsden has received orders from London to
defend Afghanistan. There is serious apprehension
that Russia may mean to seize Herat by a coup de
main. The Ministers of War are in council with the
| Foreign Secretary The leaders of the Opposition
have been taken into the confidence of the Cabinet.
Every item of intelligence in today's papers points
TO an outbreak Of hosttics Nevertheless, If it be
| true that Prince Bismarck desires peace rs every
dplomatst III Europe believes, even tho iilibuster-
| ing Muscovite Coloncls as one writer calls them,
will have to hold their hands. The Russian news
papers allowed to threaten, but II is perfectly
| unde stood that the Russian newspapers are mere
| instruments of Russian diplomacy. Russia will get
what she can, whether by seizure or by swagger.
| But she has misunderstood d Gladstone Ministry