The morning call., 1891-07-07
THE RENEWAL OF THE DRE1BuND.

The attempt of the European Govern
mentS 10 keep the renewal Of the Dreibund
n secret having failed, the event is now a
matter of general comment il political cir
Giles. The first treaty, which was made be-
tween Austria and Germany only, was
concluded some ten years ago. under an APP
prehensiou that France was about to re-
sumo hostlites against her neigbbor. In
1888 Italy was admitted to the league and it
was covenanted that it should last four
years. On lis expiration in 1887 il was re-
Bewed by the three monarchs for four years
more. That period having expired, fur
Their renewal-apparently for period of six
years-has just been agreed to. The En-
peror of Austria signed it on Sunday last.
Newspaper correspondents say that the
treaty, as renewed varies from the old
treaty in the respect that the provisions re-
outing Italy in case of war to move troops
10 the scene Of conflict have been modified,
and that the three powers merely guarantee
each others territory generally; but re-
porterS were not admitted TO the confidence
of the Governments. and their assertion is
PROBABLY a mere conjecture.
The Emperor William is quoted as OBJ
serving that the renewal of the treaty
guarantees the peace of Europe for six
=
d>band his armies. and why does Italy,
which is on the verge of bankruptcy in con-
sequence Of its military and naval expendi-
lures, not follow the example? Its evident
that in their heart of hearts TIE monarchS
do not believe in the Drebund's efficacy as
preserver of the peace. They probably take
the natural view that the maintenance and
equipment of vast armies constitute a
temptation to engage in war, rather than a
guarantee of peace; that the normal conse-
quence of putting bodies of men in the field
with improved weapons is TO find some
enemy TO attack. So long as the three
powers which are members of the Dreibuud
keep some four millions of men Under arms
the danger IF a conflict will be imminent.
That IS the view which is taken at St.
Peters burg OF the recent diplomatic trans
az ton. As the Journal de ST. Petersburg
says. the renewal Of the Dreibund under
present circumstances renders a close Often
Sve and defensive alliance between France
and Russia an inevitable necessity These
two powers could put about as many troops
in the field as the three powers of Central
Europe, and the result would then depend
on the genius of the respective Generals
commanding and the efficiency of the re-
spectiye war departments.
Those who amuse themselves by Specula-
ting on the probable issue of new Euro
pean war must not lose sight of the fact that
the conditions have changed very materially
since 1870. Under the corrupt rule of Ma
poleOn III every department of the French
Government permeated with rottenness.
Colonies were drawing pay for men who
figured on the army rolls but did not exist in
the flesh; Generals ard cOmmissaries were
I ,f., 81
nitiOns of war which could not be found
when they were wanted. So little attention
had been paid to transportation that the
French, with as many bayonets as the Prus-
SLAMS, never could meet the enemy with an
equal force. The soldiers were never where
they were wanted. Then, when they were
brought into action, they were ill-ciad, i'll
shod, ill-fed and insuf1iciently armed, while
| the Germans had been provided by a far
seeing Government with ample supplies of
wholesome food, warm clothing, stout foot
| gear and admirable weapons. The result
was forced conclusion from the first.
! All this has now been changed. The or
! ganization Of the French army is at least
! equal to that oiithe German army. Drill
! and discipline are perfect, and whole army
! corps are being constantly familarized with
| mdneuvers on a large scale. A plan of
! mobilization has been devised which would
| ensure to the French superiority OF num-
bers at least in the initial encounters of the
campaign.
! As to the Italians taking a hand in the
| affair against the power which expelled the
! Austrians from the peninsula, that is a
dream of visionary politicians. If ever King
! Humbert tries to move an army corps
toward the French frontier, in order to help
! Germany to keep her conquests, he will be
| awakened by fire in this rear which will
be loud enough to engage his whole atten-