The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-08
Germany No Longer Thinks
Her a Formidable Ally.
COLLAPSE OF THE OLD oREIBuND
The New Alliance to Be Composed OF
Russia, Germany and France.
These Three Hate England. While
Italy Is Friendiy-AustrIa Also In
clined to side With England France
and Russia Helping Abyssinia-Ens-
iish sympathy With Italy.

Copyrighted by the Associated Prsss-
London March THE disaster suffered
by the Italian troops in Africa has caused
a great sensation in Great Britain. and is
thought likely 10 lead TO a fresh advance
by the perVishes into upper Egypt. Ten
Baratieris defeat must have an enormous
moral effect in Africa. and diminish con-
siderabiy the prestige OF European troops
of all natiolaiities.
The defeat at AGcwa- moreover. serious
ly affects Italy's position in Europe poliii-
caliy and financially. As TO its bearing en-
the dreibund. a number of contradictory
reports are in circulation. on one SIDE,
Russia, France and Germany are reported
to 1aye come To some sort of agreement
upon their course in the future; on the
other hand it is said today that Austria
is alarmed and is urging Germany 10 ce-
ment. a better understanding sith Great
Britain. The latter superstition is likely
to be correct, but the accomplishment of
Austria's plan looks difficntt as things
now stand. IL il is true thac Russia and
France have been secretly assisting King
Menelek against Italy. it would seem bat
natural that Emperor NilHans who has
been leaving no stone uatuined TO hring
about more coriisl relations between Cor
many and Russia, should side with the la
ter power and France in ! ON, eudeavor
TO crush Italy $ colonial aspirations in
Africa, and b. so doing strike blow at
Germany's ica6ing colonial rival Great
Britain.
According to { leading provincial news
paper. Italy has applied to 'ireat Britain
Tor assistance, enictly financial and report
has II that large Italian loan viii soon
be foated in London. In addition iu,por,-
ant communications are said TO have
passed between the two governments rela-
tive TO The possible movement of Esyntjan
troops about the upper Nile.
Military men here express much svn-
pathy Tor Italy in her troubles, and sey-
erai former British army officers have al
ready offered their services 70 the Italian
government for duty in Africa
me army estimates. published yes.e--
n1s o<a sAo" expenditures amounting to s2o-
sto'"o, an Increase OF eloo 90 over isq5
I'ne secretary Of war. the MARQUIS Of
i,dhsocwne. IN presenting the estimates
stated that recent events in East africa
make reduction of the British ear,.is -,
In Egypt improbable. The marquis lddai
that especial efforts wATe being made to
provide the artillery with the new con-
verted guns. and that the recruiting for
1898 was satisfactory. while the desertions
numbering the fewest on record.
Berlin, March THE defeat of :he
Itai.ans at Adowa Is warmly discussed in
poifticai circles here. and the opinion yre-
vahing is that II will lead TO a practical
II not formal dissolution of the drlehund
That Emperor William has tel~graphet
his sympathy to King Humbert does not
after the fact that international politics
Will take on new shape. Count Csoluchow-
ski. the Austrian minister for foreign af-
fairs, who Is coming TO Berlin for three
days next week. and who will be ham
quoted at the palace by Prince EOhen-
lohe. is undoubtedly visiting this car,stal
on an important political mission. which
may include a readjustment or mofllcA-
tion of the driebund and the expression Of
Austria's wish for a rapprochement with
Great Britain.
a Conservative leader of the reichst1g
who is in touch with the foreign Office
informed the correspondent of the Asso-
ciatei Press today that the withdrawal
OF Italy from the driebund was incvi.a-
ble. national bankruptcy siares her in
the face He added; IN the event OF a
great war Italy would be financially i'm
potent. Reside. her disasters In Africa
have shaken German confidence IN the use
fulness of her army. The fall Of Signor
Crispi will also bring strong anti-drei-
h'Ini sentiment In Italy on top. The drei-
hund. however. may nomlnsily continue
until the expiration of its present term. but
ii will then lapse