New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-04
GREAT BRITAIN AND GERN1Nf.

At first blush the report Of an alliance De-
tween Great Britain and Germany might be re-
ceived with incredulity. despite the fact that
II is made by The Pail Mall Gazette now
one of the most trustworthy Of papers. For
many a year II has been. or has been sup
posed 10 be- the policy Of Great Britain 70
refrain from making alliances on the Cont
oent Moreover relations between her ana
Germany have BEEN or have been supposed
10 be. if not actually unfricndly, at least not
actively friendly. German rivalry In trade
has been n source Of annoyance to the Brit
,sh. Prince Blsmarcks anti-BritSh policy has
not been forgotten In Germany. And there
is always on both sides memory OF the
German Emperor's youthful references to the
fate OF the Modern Carthage" Politics apart
there has long been the closest social relation
ship and good-fellowship between Great Brit
ain and France. but between Great Britain and
Germany the social and personal gulf OF sepa-
ration has seemed too vast to be spanned or
sounded.
Nevertheless, there are some uncommonly
strong reasons why such an alliance, or at least
some cordial understanding. should be effected
between the two. Their peoples are OF the same
original stock. and their thoughts and tempera-
WpEtS are more nike lil.lU lHOSt vi dIIIoSl an.
other two nations in Europe. Their interests
run in parallel channels. Both are colonzing
and commercial Powers 1t is to the practical
interest Of each to be and TO remain on good
terms with the other. Each has far stronger
reasons for antagonism toward some other
Power than toward the other Of these two. And
then there are some concrete and detailed rea-
sons for cooperation. Each can serve the other
greatly. Germany wants Syria and larger
share of China. Great Britain wants her hold
upon Egypt recognized as legitimate, and TO be
permitted 10 purchase DelagOa Bay. These OBJ
tects can be attained II the two act together.
and II Is not sure that they con easily be II they
do not. The German Emperor is going 10 Jer,l-
salem, not altogether for his health nor for
pious pilgrimage, we may surmse. lie VIII In
all proba bility make the visit means toward
the end of capturing Syria, toward which Ger
man migration is already setting In n mighty
tide More than that he IS going TO visit Egypt
on his way home and will there be the guest OF
Lord Crcmer. and will thus in a singularly I'm
pressive manner give his imperial recognition 10
the British occupation Of that country. II may
also be recalled that Germany has somewhat
ostenta tiousy snubbed the Boer President arl
given him 10 understand that he had better he
properly respectful to Great Britain as the law
full suzeran over the Transvaa
These are not the only current circumstances
that mark these two Powers as the most fitting
I'm oil Europe 10 come together In some sort or
an alliance There Is no question Tint such
compact between them would make for peace.
The combination would be the strongest that
could be made, far outranking the Triple Al
lance in military effectiveness. Yet all Its In
terests would be on the side Of peace. No other
Power or Powers would be likely TO attack II,
and It would not be disposed 10 attack any
other. OF course, there may be nothing In the
report But II Is not AT all unlikely that 1t Is in
great measure true and, II II should prove to
be, It would give the friends Of both nations
cause for hearty rejoicing