The San Francisco call., 1897-08-28
FRANco-RussIAN ALLIANCE.

Inc parting speeches of Car Nicholas and
PRESIDENT Faure on board the French cruiser
Fothuau have removed all doubt in regard 10
tno existence OF 9 dual alliance. 1t is of little
consequence to know whether formal treaty
MS been concluded just now or whether that
was zone years ago, though the fact that no
previous public reference 10 it has ever been
made leads US to suppose that the alliance is
the result OF the recent conference between
Count Muravieff and NJ Hanotaux.
The mere fact that the most ABSOLUTE mon
arcny III Europe has formed an alliance with
republic is in tself matter of great impor
tance. At this moment it is i'm possible to con-
lecture the motives which have induced the
Russian Government to take this step, and
we DO not even know if it is q trea ty for Cfen-
sive or defensive purposes, or for both. The
motives OF France are more apparent. That
country has occupied an isolated position
since 1871. Its people know no greater desire
than to re-establish lis shattered military
glory, the chief pride of every true French
man, by victorious war with Germany for the
purpose OF reconquering Alsace-Lorraine.
The words Of the Gar, that the two. nations
were allied for the maintenance of peace, Cal
not be taken too literslly, for monarchs and
diplomats are always very peaceful-in their
toasts and spec ches. Still it must not be sup
posed that Russia was led into this alliance by
any ill-feeling against the Triple Alliance or
any member thereof; on the contrary, the
Cabinets OF Berlin, st. Peters burg and Vienna
seem to be on the best of terms with each
other. Besides Russia knows full well that the
next general war is bound to change the map
of Europe out of all recognition, and there is
no certainty that Russia, even with the help
of France, may come out of it conqueror. On
the other hand, if Russia should be van
quished, the reign OF the Romanoffs would
surely come to an end, and it Is not at all
likely that the imperial Government would
jeopardize its very existence
But Russia and France have mutual IT.
terest in many other political questions, as,
for ins tance, in the maintenance of the status
quo on the Balkan and in Egypt Both nations
have valuable possessions in Asia, which are
likely to lead them into conflict with Great
Britain, and in such a conflict neither Russia
nor France could single-handed cope with
England on account of the superior naval
force of that country. Furthermore both
countries border either directly or through
tributaries on the Mediterranean and are
naturally very much opposed to the pre1om-
nance of England on that sea. 1t is, there
tore, probable that the referred-to alliance is
pointed against England and the near future
will make this point clear.
AS the dual alliance has now been officially
published the next steps will be taken by the
Cabinets OF Berlin and Vienna which will
require ass surances from Russia and full in
formation in regard to the treaty clauses
That is always customary in such cases and
Germany did the same to Russia when the
Triple Alliance was concluded. In fact, it is
almost certain that such assurances and in
formation have already been given, but the
particulars may not become public property
until they have been discussed in the German
Reichstag