St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-26
THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.
EDglishmen Have No Desire to Be
Involved III It.

Englishmen Have No Desire to Be
Involved III It.
LONDON, July 25.-The report from
Berlin that Lord Salisbury had pledged
England 10 the triple alliance mas been
severely criticised by a number of Eng
lish Liberal politicians in speeches 10
their constituencies during the week.
The most important speech on the ques-
ton was made this evening by James
Bryce, Liberal member or parliament
for Aberdeen city, South division, and
who was political secretary for the for
eign Office in Mr.. GiadStOne's cabinet of
1SSG. After dealing with home affairs
MI. Bryce referred to the report that
Lord Salisbury had pledged England to
support of the triple alliance. He said:
''EHglShmen were courteous to
Emperor W William during his recent visit
to England, and cherish warm and
friendly feelings for him, but they have
not the slightest idea of sacrificing the
perfect freedom of their country in for
eign politics. They are convinced that
the eXclusiee prepOnderance Of any one
power in-EurOpe is bad for Europe and
particularly bad for England. That is
50 even when the prepOnderant power
happens to be Germany. If Germany
were TO crush France for good and for
all tomorrow "a hypothesis by the way.
which Is ali absGrdlty On the face of il.
for the days when great nations could
be crushed for good and all nave passed.
Il certainly would not improve our
chances Of GOOD relations with the CON
qUeror. OF course we heartily desire
peace. i'm the interests OF the whole
world as well as Of ourselves. But il is
by no means clear that to increase the
strength Of Germany, by our alliance O
otherwise, would be TO insure peace.
The very contrary is possible. 1t is
commonly assumed in England that the
triple alliance can under no circum-
stances take the offensive. and that
therefore the stronger ii Is the Surer the
peace.
The Vienna correspondent of the
London Times was mdiscreet enough 10
tell Us only few DAYS ago that polit-
zeal circles are taking the lead Of the
press in specializing already as to
whether England : adhesion to the triple
alliance Will insure 4 long peace. or
bring events quickly into the sphere of
action. The armameutS of the cont
mental powers are SO costly. and the
governments are 50 utterly unable TO
alleviate the burden Of them so long as
any one power continues to arm with
theuncOncealed object of making war
at some future time. that there is con-
siderable doubt abroad as to whether
the three allied powers VIII not soon
make it plain that some limit must be
placed to their t0leranue of prepare
tons which are not necessary for de-
Tense, and which must therefore be
recognized as aggressive. This. how
ever. is a delicate matter. which is for
the present more easy to discuss in con
versatiOn than in print. As matter OF
fact, France has not in any way threat
ened the peace between herself and
Germany since 1870. 1t has only once
been seriously threatened. and then it
was by Germany. Englishmen have
every good will 10 Germany. rs they cor
at least those of them who are Liberals
have every good Will to France. But
they think that Germany is quite strong
enough already. and they DO not per
ceive any duty lying upon them to make
her stronger