The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29
UNION OF GREAT NATIONS.
Europe Talks OF the Alliance OF Franco ana
Russia-The CEnr's strong Character.
Special Gable Despatch TO THE Sun.

special Gable Despatch TO THE Sun.
LONDON. Aug. 2S.-Sow that tho dual alliance
has been officially proclaimed, ms well as tacitly
admitted, all Europe is discussing tho political
situation created by the great event. Tho con
tracing parties themselves, as represented by
public opinion in Paris and ST. Petersburg. arc
naturally giving some expression to their ella
ton over the wedding of the two great nations,
but II is not quite evident yet whether
1t Is n marriage OF affection rs well as
OF convenience. Tho French arc already
showing q somewha unbccominR curiosity
regarding the terms OF the marriage settlement.
Their satisfaction Is great enough. however, to
enable them to seize the opportunity to make a
glorious holiday or the welcome home to Presi.
dent Faure on next Tuesday. The occasion,
doubtless. will DO ono of extravaganza public
best how to enjoy.
The political aspect Of the treaty Of alliance
which the Gear and President Faure signed on
last Wednesday depends upon tho point of view.
Germany regards 1t with Ill concealed uneasi.
ness. England, which has more reason to DO
suspicious, 10 silent, or pretends to be inditIer-
ent. Austria, oddly enough, msnifcsts more
concern than all tho others. while Italy affects
to believe that the alliance changes nothing In
the European status quo" Foreign opinion Of
the nature Of the alliance Is best expressed BY a
Nlennh IOuTnhl, WnlCn ueSCTlD6S III as n Klnu OF
tandem bicycle alliance. in which Russia steers
the machine, which will not leave the high road
of peace.
Berlin IL trying to find In the compact be-
tween her opposite neigbbors an assurance that
France, at last, will be compelled to abandon
her cherished project Of revenge. Tho leading
German journal consoles itself by saying: In
spite Of the word Alliance. we have no cause to
suppose that the demonstrations on board tho
Pothuan In any way detract from the slgnia.
canoe of Emperor Williams visit"
The warmth of the popular welcome to the
French visitors at st. Petersburg has been the
most notable feature Of the week. This 10 de-
clared by all observers to have been far in e1-
cess Of the demonstration in favor of tho Ger
man Emperor's party. 1t was also spontaneous
and sincere. inasmuch as this was tho first OPP
portunity to discover the attitude Of the Rus.
sian public.
1t is a matter of genuine significance that
those who studied the appearance and conduct
OF the Gear during the German and French
visits affirm that he has gained much force Of
character in the past few months. Several re-
cent incidents are quoted to illustrate this. One
is SO important that 1t Is worth describing.
1t relates to the circumstance Of the retire.
ment Of Count vorontsoff Dashkof, who was
Minister Of the Court under the late and present
Cars. Empress Dowager. NJ. Pobyedonostseff
and Count Vorontsoff Dashkoff were predomi'
nant in the counsels Of the empire when Nicho-
las came to the throne. The overworked young
Gear did not detect at first the extent to which
his prerogatives were encroached upon. Finally.
during the Greek troubles, the vivid sympathy
of the Dowager Empress Marie for her brother.
King OF Greece. led her to induce the Court
Minister to send a contribution from the i'm.
perial funds to the Greek war chest without tho
knowledge Of the Gear.
When the latter discovered the fact. the Count
was sent for and taxed with using imperial
funds without imperial authority. The Count
admitted the truth Of the charge, but said he
acted at tho instance Of the Empress Dowager.
When severely taken to task. the Count further
p~alliated his offence BY declaring that II there
was Q difference between mother and son 1t wal
not for him to intermeddle.
The highly incensed Gar at once suggested
the retirement of q Minister who could 30 mis-.
read his duty TO his sovereign. The Count &C
cordingly retired. and although there Is no cool.
ness between the Emperor and his mother. her
opportunities for playing a part in Geek
tragedy are not likely to recur. NJ. Pobyedon.
ostseff also recently ceased to be a power behind
the throne.