Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-12
England and the Dreibund.

II seems TO be LApoucpERE's ambition 10
make n reputation as the great parliament
nry aucstioner, and 1t must be confessed
| that he il in @ fair way 10 succeed. IN
season and out Of season he poses ~ an IN
terroeator of tho Government, ana az a
rule his questions are either directly OF
indirectly addressed to Sir JAMES FURIOUS
| SON. Under Foreign Secretary. whose aolii-
tv 10 stand catechising without commit
ting the Government by categorical an
swers 10 only equallcd by LAnoUoHfhh
d;splay of self-sufiiciency. Lately tho iat-
tor has been harping on EnGland's atti-
tude towards the Dreibund. and so lar as
he has elected information from sir JAMIE
"in so many words" he il Just about
where he has always been left after one oil
his periodical efforts 20 obtain an oxpiaha'
ton of England's intentions in Egypt.
Nevertheless the logic of the situation
clearly indicates both highlands relations
TO the triple alliance and her intentions
touching Egypt. It indicates 1t so clearly
indeed a. to emphasize the conclusion ,ha'
LAsoucBrgy questions the Government on
those points simply to be questioning, ana
for the sake OF keeping himself before the
British public. What. with the events ths'
are TRANSPORTING around him, previous ut
teranees of SALISBURY, and the history OF
Epcland's policy for years, he cannot oe
blind to what is apparent to the wofiu u
large.
Sir JAMES FuRGussoy's contention thatthe
i. A.. s,ttaF
on the Mediterranean should not be mixed
m with the Dreibund question was lust the
Diplomatic answer that might have been
expected TO LApoUCBrRE's effort TO draw
him out. vet none the less it is mixed up
with that question, or what is the same
thing would be in case OF war between the
triple alliance or the one hand and Russia
and France on the other. As to Russ'a's
object in such war there can be no
doubt. II would be TO force passage
eventually to the Mediterranean. That
disposes Of the question whether IN
view of Italy's position Is naval power
England could afford to see italy GRIP.
pied. Another fact to be considered Is
that whatever trouble may come, Will, 1t IS
conceded, start in the Balkans; and aside
from this being an important feature IN
Russia's programme to reach CONSTANT
nople, SALIsBUgY's policy regarding the
central European States has been clearly
defined to the Vienna Court. That defini-
ton was tantamount to pledge to the
Austro-Hungarian Monarchy to preserve
the status quo in the Balkans also. As TO
England's friendship for Germany that has
been especially accentuated by the incl
dents connected with Emperor WILLIAMS
visit TO London. and when the Under Secre-
tary said the sympathy of England would
be with the powers keeping the peace and
against those breaking it, he left no excuse
for not reading between the lines. 1t Will
therefore be seen that England is not only
in touch by understanding with Italy,
Australian and Germany, consid-
cred separately. but that she would be
morally pledged to support the combina-
ton Of tho three even were such
course not necessary for the safety
of her Indian possessions and OF
communication Herewith. No matter
under what conditions Russia and France
might break tho peace English interests
in the East would be menaced, and II
would be as essential for her TO stand by
the Dreibund as it is for her to maintain
her hold upon Egypt. In fact disaster to
the Dreibund would presuppose jeopardi-
ling British domination in Egypt and on
the Mediterranean. and when that is APP
preciated it will be readily understood that
Mr.. LABoUcHERE's questions arc rather
superiuous.