The Redwood gazette., 1902-07-16

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This is in a large measure due
to the reestablishment of
friendly relations with France,
which has fortified her both
politically and economically,
and to that extent relieved her
of dependence on Germany, up
to now the predominant part
ner. Austria, on the other
hand, is in a less favorable po-
sition than in the earlier and
middle stages of the alliance,
owing to her bad economic
conditions, the racial conflicts
in both halves of the empire
kingdom, and the divergenies
that have arisen between Aus
tria proper and Hungary in the
matter of the renewal of the
Ausgleich, or the constitution
al commercial agreement,
which has been in suspense
since 1897. The present posi-
ton is that of a modus vivendi
under which the two countries
are drifting apart, with the
common headship of the En-
peror-King, Francis Joseph,
the only link connecting them.
In Austria the situation is
complicated by the racical an
tipathies of Germans, Slavs
by those of Magyars, Slavs,
and Italians, and in Hungary
Roumanians and Germans.
AS regards Germany the con-
ditions are less favorable than
they were ten or even five
years ago for the exercise of
that predominance which she
undoubtedly enjoyed in the al
lance; and the reflection of
this may be seen in the i'm
proved relations with France,
Of which many small proofs
have been afforded of late.
The developement Of racial
troubles in Prussia aud the
economic depression adding to
the already very pronounced
tendency of the middle and
working classes toward so o.ial-
ism in politics have forced the
Emperor and his Government
to give greater attention to the
internal affairs of Germany
and to relax something in the
flexibility of his attitude tow
ard the inha bitants of Alsace-
Lorraine and toward their for
mer country. This is gain
to Europe as we'll as to France,
which has entered on a career
of colonial development which
has already produced great and
beneficial results to herself and
the peoples over which she has
assumed control.
The first result Of the renew
al of the political alliance, with
it's military conventions OF a
defensive character, is to be
seen in the reported meeting
of the German Chancellor and
the Austro- Hungarian and Ital-
ian Ministers for Foreign At
fairs, to be held to discuss the
question of commercial trea-
ties. These are the really inn
portant matters calling for Sc
riOus attention, and until they
are settled there is no firm ba-
sis for the political and militia
Try parts of the structure of the
alliance. It is in connection
with the commercial question
i that the renewed friendship
between Italy and France will
be valuable to the former, and
enable her to obtain Conces
sions from the other members
of the triple compact in Consid-
Grafton Of her support in polit-
iCal questions connected with
the East, the Adriatic and the
eastern Mediterranean.
According to all accounts
there is little doubt that &
move is about to be made in
the direction of putting some
kind Of order into the misgov
erned provinces of the Otto
man Empire in Europe anc
Asia. After long years of es
arrangement Russia and Bul
garia and Austria have made
Joint representations at Con
stantinople, warning the Sui
tan against anything like {
repetition of the Bulgarian
massacres of 1876. At the
same time Germany has insis
ted on the Sultan placing the
reorganization Of the Turkish
finances and the consolidation