New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-22
SURPRISE TO. DIPLOMATS.
THE ANGLo-GERMAN AGREEMENT NOT
EXPECTED.
L NEW DUAL ALLIANCE TO OFFSET THE
OLD oNE-wHAT Is THOUGHT
OF IT IN LONDON.
FcopyT1rht: 1900: BY The New-Yorx Tribuns,l
IBY CABLE TO THE 1RIBUNE.l

tcopyT4rht: 1900: BY The New-York Trfbune.l
[BY CABLE TO THE 1RIBuvE.l
London. Oct. % 6 a. m.-There is much dis
crsson Of the Anglo-German agreement, but
there are few fresh details. The inferences
drawn by Berlin journals that Lord Salisbury
consulted all the Powers through their diplo
matte representatives in London are inaccurate.
The agreement has been a genuine surprise to
diplornatists here and the unusual method by
which it has been proclaimed TO the world pre-
cludes the assumption that the Powers were
privately consulted in advance. The motive for
the somewhat theatrical manner in which the
soint declaration OF policy has been made known
is obscure If the announcement had been made
in Berlin, the German Emperor would have been
charged with advertising his diplomatic ex-
ploits IN large letters, but Lord Salisbury has
no taste for neiodrama IN statecraft. The most
reasonable theory is that the new dual al-
ance has been formed 10 counteract the old
Dual Alliance. and the terms Of the agreement
have been published in order TO accelerate the
action Of the Concert inspire the confidence OF
the Chinese Government, and concentrate the
forces Of opinion in Europe and America upon
the two fundamental principles of freedom of
commerce and the territorial integrity Of China.
While Russia and France were acting with the
other Powers, it was known that they were in
alliance with each other under secret conditions
and would support each other. 1t is now
equally clear that Germany and England, while
anxious to cooperate with the other Powers, are
also IN alliance with each other for definite ends,
which are justifedly enlightened. The policy
Of the Concert has been out Of tune, but the
trebles and BASES are now balanced. Diplo-
matte coalitions are not liked ordinarily in Eng
land, where the very real and trustworthy al-
ance is believed to be with the Colonies within
the Empire. Magnificent isolation" was phrase
which appealed strongly to British pride. The
most recent dual arrangements were the secret
agreement with Russia, which preceded the
Congress Of Berlin, and the Cyprus Convention
with Turkey, which followed the negotiation of
the treaty, and both transactions were con-
demned by English opinion.
The new Dual Alliance is well received by the
press. because the principles upon which it is
based warmly approved and because also
the obligations and liabilities imposed by the
third article are vaguely understood. But there
IS an instructive recoil among Englishmen
against permanent coalitions with Continental
Powers. useful and honorable as this one may
be in the present emergency
The moral support Of the principles of this alli-
ance from the State Department is expected
with confidence. but the American Governments
freedom Of action and independence Of all en-
tanglng alliances viii be respected, certainly IN
England; possibly even envied
The Unfonist newspapers this morning hail
the Anglo-German agreement with satisfaction,
and even the opposition organs admit that it
has it's good points. Foreign opinion on the
agreement is. so far as It is known, favorable on
the whole. It is difficult to gauge the exact
view Of the Russian Foreign Office and no word
has yet come from Japan. but it is abundantly
clear that Austria approves Of the new Dual
Alliance.