Evening star., 1901-11-22
FRANCO-RUSSIAN ALLIANCE.
Origin and Scope of the Agreement of
the Two Governments.
Paris Correspondence London Standard.


the Two Governments.
Paris Correspondence London Standard.
''Liberte' gives prominence to a lengthy
interview with M. Jules Hansen. an
honorary counsellor 'ambassade, concern
ing the Franco-Russian alliance. The
statements made by NJ. Hansen are worthy
of attention. because he is well known as
being closely connected with official circles.
while in years gone by he was intrusted by
the French government with certain mis-
stons which paved the way for the conclu-
sion of the dual alliance.
In 1897 M. Hansen also published a
pamphlet concerning the origin Of the
alliance, which attracted good deal
of notice at the time. In reply to
representative of the Liberte NJ. Han
said he believed that, in general way,
the Information concerning the alliance pub
Ifshed by the Wiener Allgemeine Zeitung
was correct. The treaty was of a regular
character, like the Austro-German treaty
Of alliance. 1t was stipulated that in the
event Of one Of the two states being at
tackled by a power, whether Germany,
Great Britain or any other, the other con-
tracing party should come to its help with
all its resources and military or other
forces. and that one of the two allies could
not make peace with the aggressor without
a previous understanding between both.
Contrary to what was adopted in the triple
alliance, no term of years was stipulated
I0F QuFation, the Oufdt10n Oh the
itary convention, both Of which were for
indefinite period. 1t was erroneous to
say that this military convention was signed
previous to the alliance, and that by the
latter 1t had lost its Importance The treaty
of alliance was signed by NJ. de Mohren-
helm and NJ Ribot, and the military con-
vention in 1894, by NJ. de Freycinet, who.
during the five years he was minister Of
war, worked INCREASINGLY in its favor. 1t
was a document of the highest Importance,
and mapped out the military line of con-
duct of the allies under all circumstances.
Dealing with the financial side of the al
lance, NJ. Hansen said that when it was
concluded it was evident that Russia wish
ed to free herself from German tutelage,
both in a financial well as political
point Of view, and that, therefore, CONVEX
sations took place with regard to the loans
she would have to contract on the Paris
market. Russia required money for two
purposes-to complete and perfect her MIL
itary organization and armament, and to
extend her railway system-fn order to
open up her Asiatic possessions, and so de-
rive benefits from their immense agricuf-
tural and mineral wealth. For these rea-
sons 1t was agreed that Russia could con-
tract on the Paris market a loan of 1,5o0,-
000, 900 francs, to be realized in three or
four series. A first loan Of 450, 600 900 was
contracted. and NJ. Hansen says that to
his knowledge this has not yet been spent.
1t is improbable that the second series will
b. realized before another year.
NJ. Hansen denies that any additional
CldUStS OT cOuiCilS were duutu " Tue lIedls
during the stay Of the czar and the presi-
dent of the republic at Compiegne. The at
titude to be adopted by the two nations, In
view of certain eventualities. was undoubt-
edly discussed and agreed upon. but IL
each time such a discussion took place
minutes were drawn up and counter
signed. by each party 1t would be a proof
that the two allies had only moderate con-
fidence in one another. The conferences at
CCmpegne turned chiefly upon eastern and
far eastern affairs. The Transvaal question
was not referred to for single instant at
Compiegne, and there would be no question
Of it," declared NJ. Hansen in reply to a
pointed question
With regard to a Franco-Russian COM
mercial treaty NJ. Hansen went on to say
that the question was practically settled
before the cars arrival in France, and in
the new treaty France would obtain notable
reductions Of customs dues, especially on
wines. He admitted that the questions dis
cussed at Compiegne were also probably
discussed at Dantsic, but he added that it
was ridiculous to talk of a special under
standing between Germany and France, or
of a sort Of German-Franco-Russian al
allowed Russia a free hand, while she was
to be at liberty to act she pleased on
thu other Chinese frontier, the Yunnan-
In concluding his statements, NJ. Hansen
denied the report that Baron de Mohren-
helm, the ex-Russian ambassador in Paris,
had not seen the cZar at Compiegne because
he was in disgrace. The baron had not Wis
tied the czar for the same reasons which
caused him to remain in France-namely,
that he was in very feeble health and was
forced to reside In the south.