The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-22

He would be bold indeed who should
say that the Courts and Cabinets of Eu-
rope today form a happy family. Sus-
picion irritation, and discord are stead
lily at work. apparently preparing the
way for conflict in the future. which
may be postponed for a time, but prob
ably not for long.
One of the most important features OF
the situation is the rapidly growing
impeachment between Italy and
France. which is regarded with any
thing but favor at Berlin. According
to the best German opinion. this does
not presage Italy's withdrawal from the
Dreibund at the expiration of the pres
ent alliance treaties. On the contrary,
II is expected that they will be renewed,
but that many concessions will have TO
be made TO ensure her adhesion. What
Germany does not like is the fact that
the entente cordiale once established be-
tween two peoples of the same race and
religion. it is likely to increase in
strength. and to form a much more re-
liable tie than treaties of convenience
could between States with nothing in
common but identical political interests
or dangers. To accentuate German dis
satisfaction with the new friendliness
of Italy and France, it is said that King
Victor Emmanuel is personally indiffer-
ent to the Teutonic connection. and
winces under the burdens which his
country's membership Of the Triple AL
lance imposes upon its people. The
Queen of Italy, who is Slav princess,
is a strong Russian sympathizer, and
her influence, it is believed, will be used
to draw Italy away from Germany and
Austria and toward Russia and France
Thus it will be seen that the foreign
relations Of the Kaiser's Empire do not
appear TO be upon an altogether prom
Using basis. The Dreibund may survive
in name. and under formal agreemen,
for a time, but the bonds that have held
il together in the past viii be seriously
weakened. They would probably be
ruptured entirely. and the partnership
overset. were Emperor Franz Josef of
Austria to die before the expiration of
the present treaties in 1903. Then. Il is
believed, the Austro- Hungarian Empire
would fail in pieces. That will happen,
according to present indications, when
ever he shall die. and the balance of
power in Europe will have a rude shak-
ing up. With one of his allies cold, if
not unfriendly, and the other almost in
articulo mortis, Emperor Wilhelm has
not an easy task before him to steer
clear of the dangers that threaten the
peace of the Continent.
With these considerations in mind it
is perhaps permissible to think that the
Kaiser has been wiser than his coun-
try. in seeking closer relations with
England. The unpopularty of his
course IN this respect is probably a bad
thing for the Empire. Industrial and
commercial jealousies are sufficient to
account for the anti-English sentiment
in Germany. but to the disinterested OBJ
server they appear unfortunate for the
Fatherland. As far as one can see, the
English alliance is the only one open to
the Kaiser, and a wise policy would
seem to demand that it be secured.
That a firm understanding between the
countries would be of inestimable value
to England goes without saying. II
may also be said that England is not in
every respect a desirable international
partner. Nothing more grasping, over
reaching. or insincere and selfish than
British foreign policy and diplomacy
has ever been recorded in human his
tory. Americans need only to think of
England's perfidiOus course in connec-
ton with the Clayton-B ulwer Treaty,
and Of her invasion Of our Territory OF
Alaska, and seizure of the American
PoIcupine district, which we gave up to
her without fight or protest, TO be con-
WINGED of the justice Of the indictment.
Nevertheless. misfortune makes
strange bedfellows. and it is not so GER
tain that. in the course of time, when
the Slays and Latins have consolidated
their races into two vast forces, neithe.
Of them friendly to the Teutonic ma
tons and stock. that the latter will not
be compelled to support one another
against the rest of the world. The ideal
condition for the purpose Of meeting the
Slav and Latin movements would be
one of the United States. Germany. and
England. The wealth and resources Of
the first the magnificent army of the
second. and the peerless fleet OF the
third would constitute protective and
defensive combination which would at
least assure all three against disasters
from without for the next generation at
least.
British statesmen and thinkers are
fully alive to their country's urgent
need Of friends: but it does not occur
10 them that the best way Of cultivating
friendship is 20 treat others with homes
~. good faith. and reasonable generosi-
~. England's irritating attitude in
Central America. at a time when the
good viii Of the United States would be
useful. is an example Of the short
sightedness OF Lord Salisbury's policy
No doubt his Government has managed
10 give Germany as well as America
unpleasant things to remember But
SAL it may be necessary some day for
us to forgive English aggressions, and
for Germany to do the same. and all
get in the same boat together. Such an
eventuality would probably be more to
the advantage OF Germany and England