The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-07-16
NUMBER 80.
European Alliances.

i European Alliances.
!! Europe is peacep says the emperor
OF Germany to his subjects. And he
then drinks bumper after bumper of
German beer and remarks that Fl is q
thirsty day. "Peace is assured in Eu-
rope" says Premier Rudini in a speech
to the Italian senate. Then Rudini con
graduates his fellow countryman that
Austria, Germany and Italy have re-
neWed the triple alliance, the sDrei-
bund," for six years more Nay, we are
given to understand that the triple al
lance is really quadruple alliance, for
England is a silent partner in the agree
ment which Austria, Germany and Italy
have made to defend one another against
the aggressions of France and Russia.
The triple alliance began in 1879. In
the beginning it was only double alli-
+ ance, and Bismarck was the founder Of
It, Bismarck, by his diplomacy at the
Berlin conference, defeated Russia in
her designs on Turkish territory, even
after she had entitled herself to fair
share of it by hard fighting and victory
on the field of battle. Then Bismarck.
rearing the far reaching revenge of the
Russian, persuaded Austria to enter into
an alliance, offensive and defensive.
against the government of the car.
Next Italy was persuaded by promises
and threats to enter into the alliance.
and 1t became consequently the Drei-
bund. Thus diplomacy and statesman
ship, so called, forced the people of Italy
to stand side by side in alliance with
their old time and bitterly hated enemy,
the Austrian. They have never for
given their rulers for that alliance to
this day, and will not in our time. Ger
many felt uneasy as to France, too, so
France was watched on one side and
Russia on the other.
But what does it mean, this triple al
lance, which began in 1879, lasted six
years, came to an end and has been re-
newed for another six years? Let us see.
1t means that Germany, Austria and
Italy must together maintain an armed
force OF $40, 900, that being the strength
OF the combined standing armies of the
three powers. Behold these three, then.
on one side Of the fence. On the other
side stand Russia and France with their
combined armies of 5,SO5,OOO men. So
they stand, snarling and showing their
teeth, like dogs ready to fly at one an
others Threats, hating one another, ieal-
Gus OF one another, watching one an
other. Meantime Russia is steadily, 81
lently, like thief in the night, pushing
her way resistlessly into the south and
east in Asia. Meantime, too, these fear
full standing armies are slowly eating
out the heart of Europe, paralyzing her
Industries, destroying all fruits of the
civilization Of peace. But Europe is
peace, they say.
On, yes; Europe is peace.
There Are Heroes Still.
Is the world full of selfshness and
meanness, and are there no more heroes
and no more lofty courage or self deny-
ing generosity? Young Frederick Bro
kaw, the Princeton athlete, the beloved
of his father and mother and of scores of
friends, beautiful youth, at the thresh-
Old OF manhood as full of promise as
that OF young prince or king, gave up
his splendid life at Long Branch to save
that of simple Irish serving maid.
Three servant girls, ignorant of the dan
ger of the treacherous undertow, VEN
tured too far and were caught by it's dead
" suction. They screamed for help, and
then young Brokaw, aware that he might
be going to his own death, sprang to
their aid.
Hewas fine swimmer, but the break
9rs caught him, washed over him and
illed his lungs with water. His brave
head showed once and again cleaning
through the cruel white foam. The last
line he turned his face toward the boat
approaching to the rescue he shouted
oud enough for the rowers to hear:
I'm exhausted! Save the girl!' Then
mother fearful breaker dashed over
hem both, and when the glorious face
to mortal sight again it was
old and White in death. Women, do
'ou say there is no chivalry left in the
leart of man toward woman? Is there
10 more the heroism that will give its
life for another? There is. Aye, thank
Tod, there is still as much of both as
here ever was in the world.
A country that cannot print its own
aper money must be in a bad way, yet
hat is the case with our sister republic
Chill. The rebels have got possession
the nitrate beds whence Chill drew