The record-union., 1896-02-03

BERLIN, Feb. 2.-The relations
between the Governments of Germany
and Great Britain have not shown any
signs of improvement within the last
few days, and particularly since it be-
came known that the diplomatic efforts
of the latter have been directed toward
involving Italy in the arrangement be-
tween Russia and Turkey, involving
Italy in an agreement independent OF
her present allies.
The treaty binding the Triple Alliance
Austria, Germany and ItaIy-will fail
renewable in 1897. Hitherto Germany
and Austria have had no reason to sup
pose that there would be any change in
the relations of the contracting Govern
ments which would cause Italy to desire
to alter the terms of the Dreibund pact,
but within the last two weeks Signor
Crispi, Prime Minister of Italy, is re-
ported to have sent Instructions to the
Italian ambassadors at Vienna and
Berlin to sound the respective Govern
ments to which those diplomats are ac-
credited as to their views in regard to
important notifications of the respon-
sibilities of Italy under the conditions
of the present treaty, and as the result
of Crispi's correspondence with his rep
Iesentatives at foreign courts Count
Nigra, Italian ambassador to.AAustria
al ardent supporter OF the Triple ALL
ance has gone to Rome to influence the
maintenance of the Dreibund.
The embarrassments of the Italian
Government, through its expenditures
on men and money in Abyssinia, are
recognized as supplying a fair reason
for the belief that there may be some
reason for a few minor changes in the
treaty, but the Vienna Government
seems to have taken an alarm, espe-
cially since the intrigues of Lord Sal
isbury against Germany have assumed
tendency to cut off Italy from the
triple alliance. AS an immediate result
of the new developments, negotia-
tions with a view to the determina-
ton of a new treaty are about to be ac-
celerated.
That the Berlin Government will not
await the movements of the British
Government to ascertain how the Drei-
bund stands goes without saying. The
passionate language INDUCED in by the
semi official German press in referring
to Lord Salisburys policy in Armenia
has behind it more than official inspira-
tion dare denote. Not only does the di
vergence of policy between the German
and English Governments increase, but
the policy Of their respective plans in
crease also
The British blue book on the situa-
ton in Armenia, which has just been
issued, is in the meantime becoming
surface motive for a German attack
upon England The North German
Gazette" finds in this official publica
tion reason easily arrived at that the
British Government delayed publicity
of the report contained in the book,
not because England did not desire to
further arouse the public against the
Turk, but because the current stories
of the massacres in Armenia were
found upon investigation to have been
greatly minimized.
The Cologne Gazette in an article
upon this subject, congratulates Ger
many and the other continental Powers
upon having escaped involving the pos
sible breaking up of the Turkish en-
pire, and the National Zeitung," the
Hamburger Nachrichten" and most of
the other influential German journals
concur in rejoicing over the defeat Of
Lord Salisbury and in denouncing Brit
ish hypocrisy and mendacity in connec-
tion with affairs in the East
The critical condition of foreign af-
fairs has altered the plans which the
Emperor had made for his spring out
ing. According to his present pro-
gramme he has abandoned his notion
of going on the Mediterranean yacht
ing trip, and the Empress has also
given up her sojourn at Abbazia.