Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-23
THE FRANco-RussrAN ALLIANCE.

The news that Russia has accepted
the terms Of formal treaty alliance
with France, while only what one might
naturally expect from one point of view,
is really sensational from another.
France has been anxious for such an
alliance for years past, and the really
leading statesmen of Russia have been
willing to accept of the overtures made
by the new republic. But the emperor
has heretofore refused to entertain any
thought of such proposition.
From all considerations of self interest
and national policy, such an alliance is
the most natural thing in the world.
It is the only strong combination possi-
BILE for either country, and there is not
one interest OF either that clashes with
that of the other nation. The dreibund
is at best hollow mockery.
1t is not OF the nature of a
lasting peace, but merely of truce.
Russia, Germany and Austria cannot
remain at peace permanently as things
are now, and it will always be to the
disadvantage Of two of these empires to
permit of any change in the interest of
the other one. Russia will never re-
main content as she is. 1t is impossible
that she should. The energies of that
great empire are pent up like the smol-
dering fires under Vesuvius. They must
at some time break out into active
eruption. Russia must gain sea-room
somewhere. Walled in on the side of
Europe, the giant forces of the Muscov-
ite empire have worked eastward and
found little space to breathe at the
mouth of the Amoor. But that
is only partial relief. In another di-
rection these forces have been working
half blindly towards India, until the
Russian military railroad has reached
almost within sight of the British pos
sessions on the Indian ocean. A similar
road is being built down the Amoor.
The same restless forces now and then
make some motion, like giant in his
sleep, to break out in the direction OF
the Scandinavian peninsula.
But it is Constantinople that for cen
turies has attracted the Romanof rulers
of Russia. Time and again religious
prejudice and patriotic ambition have
both been kindled in Russia in order to
drive the Turk from his coign of van
tage on the Golden Horn. The attempt
has been always frustrated, not by the
power of the Porte, but by the interfer-
ence of some allied army in
the Crimea, or some convention at
Berlin, whereby Western Europe
with the eagles of France, Germany, or
Austria, and the lion of England has
driven the northern bear from his con-
quered quarry. But it is not the ma
ture of the bear to rest content in his
hunger while the fatted calf is in the
paddock, or the honey in the hive. He
will try again where he has failed be-
fore; and when he tries he will find
Germany, Austria and England there
barring his way to what he regards as
his legitimate prey. Russia therefore
cannot make safe alliance with Ger
many, Austria or England.
The same is true of France. All her
aspirations and am bitions are directly in
the teeth of the interests of these powers.
But with Russia she has no quarrel.
Therefore, it is the most natural thing
in the world that the great semi-bar-
barous and ancient despotism of the
east, should join in alliance with the
polished new republic of the west.
And there are other powerful ele-
ments which might easily be added
to this twofold combination. There are
no clashing interests between France
and Italy, or France and Spain, which
might not very easily be reconciled and
adjusted. A great Latin alliance, en-
bracing the nations of Southern Eu-
rope, should not be difficult of achieve
ment. Belgium and Holland might be
drawn into the same coalition, for these
small kingdoms fear the powerful and
ambitious empire on their borders.
Such are the facts in the case, and
whatever may be the outcome as to
these speculative points in the future,
there is no doubt OF the overshadowing
Importance of the fact Just accomplished,
by which France secures close alliance
with Russia. 1t may make the peace
of Europe more secure; for to go to war
in the face of such a compact is to in
volve all Europe in the contest, and to
make it the most memorable in the
annals of the human race.
MI. nESPERA ANnIIM is the true nrinci-