New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-13
THE RUSSIAN ALLIANCE.

Tho rocotiotion of the commercial convention
between Russia and Germany is important from
its relations to European alliances. II points u
the disbursement of the Triple Alliance ana 10
the reappearance Of Russia rs partner Win
Germany and Austria-Hungary In future ar
rancements for the maintenance OF the peace
Of the Continent. Italy, owing TO its nnanciui
cmborrassments and to the anomalous condi'
lions Of its domestic politics, has ceased 10 De
nm efficient and Trustworthy diplomatic ally.
Austria Hungary, like Germany has policies
which NAV be promoted by the re-estaDnshmeht
NJ Tho friendlest relations with Russia. More
over. the general effect of the Triple Alliance
has been to transfer the European hegemony
70 Russia and France and thereby to Impair
tho prestige of Germany as strong Power
weakened and compromised by the support OF
unstable partners. The new commercial con-
veption undoubtedly carries with 1t secret
understanding between Russia and Germany
nominally in the interest Of the peace OF Eu-
rome. but practically with view to future CO.
operotion for mutual advantage. The existing
alliances are to be recast, and obligations as
sumed by Germany and probably by Austria
Hungary also, which will be fulfilled at the con-
venience OF Russia.
Count Schouvaoff's speech in Berlin is Inter
nreted ot once as q menace to France, where
the liveliest interest has been manifested in the
entertainment Of Russian naval officers, and
where an alliance with the Car mas peeh ar-
IDENTIFY desired. The new commercial cohVen-
ton Is the sign of diplomatic pohcy WHICH
brings st. Petersburg nearer to Berlin ana re-
moves II further from Paris To that extent IL
e ontFrench. and on patriotic grounds ana
from motives Of selfenlightened interest 1t will
be so popular in Germany that the agrar'ah
agitation against the convention Will be Drought
to naught in the Rechstag. But in realty
France is not endangered by this new aiiance
so much as Great Britain. Russia IN the
future so far as human foresight can discern,
can have nothing TO gain ut the expense Oh
France AS a rival Asian Power Russia can
derive material advantages from European ALL
ances which will allow her free hand In en-
larging her Empire in the East and In impair
ing the prestige and influence OF Great Britain
One aspect Of these commercial negotiations
ought not to escape the observation or Ameri-
cans. The new convention is virtually treaty
of reciprocity between two high-tarin nations
Each relaxes its economic system and obtains
compensating advantages. Each makes the
home market the basis Of good business bar
gain Neither offers the other gratultous 1avors
Both Governments secure equitable conditions
Of reciprocity in accordance with the general
system Of commercial treaties adopted by Cont
mental Europe The reciprocity treaties negoti-
ated under the Harrison Administration fitted III
with this European system, grounded as uey
were upon protective tariff and upon reduced
taxation Of imported food supplies. The Demo
cratic statesmen now in power are bent upon
abrogating all treaties and opening the Ameri-
can market Internationally to all corners. They
are seeking to break all connection between the
tariff and treaty systems Of Europe and the
United States, and to follow blindly in the path
Of English theorists.
Lord Salisbury condemned several years ago
the policy to which Democracy Is now COM
mitted He declared that loyalty to Free Trade
might be q noble sentiment, but that 1t was
not business He found himself helpless in the
Foreign Office to negotiate reciprocity conven-
TONS because England had given away Its mar
kets and had nothing to offer to any other ma
ton. Democratic statesmen are not helpless,
for they have abundant resources In the tarin
system for forcing every nation except England
to make reciprocity treaties with the United
States: but they are spendthrifts who delight In
hinsing away their opportunities. They will
not profit by European experience. the Eng
lish example is enough for them.