The sun., 1903-11-08
GERMAN LINEUP WITH RUSSIA
RAISES NEW ISSUES IN THE FAR
EASTERN CRISIS.
secretary Hay Has Discussed the situ.
alton With the British Foreign Omco
-Lamsdorn's Visit to Paris An
EFFORT to Placate Russia's Other Ally.

alton With the British Foreign Omco
-LamsdOrn's Visit to Paris An
Effort to Placate Russia's Other Ally.
Special Cable Despatch to TIE SUN.
LONDON Nov. 7.-Only to-day Europe
learns on practically official authority Of
the agreement for German cooperation
With Russia in the Far East. an event Of
tho first Importance, which was announced
in these dispatches month ago.
This virtual alliance was not made, as the
official version has 1t, at the meeting Of the
Car and tho Kaiser at Wiesbaden. It was
agreed to during the summer. and has been
known in inner diplomatio circles since
early in September. Japan has known it.
and her policy has been. Of necessity, seri-
ously affected by 1t. The British Foreign
Once and Secretary Of State Hay have
discussed it in important communications
between Downing street and Washington
France became aware of its existence, and
the knowledge had such disturbing effect
on her relations with her predominant
partner that Count Lamsdorff's visit to
Paris became necessary in order to soothe
the susceptibilities, which had obviously
been outraged.
To Great Britain this event Is Of tremen-
dous concern. It comes with no surprise.
Germany q return to the Bismarckiau policy
OF friendliness with Russia has been under
stood by King Edward and his ministers
since soon after the formers accession to
the throne There has been, Of course, no
hoe but bo Kota ofo a
has been clearly perceived and the British
policy has been shaped accordingly.
There has been one apparently incon-
slsent incident. That was the British and
German cooperation in the Venezuelan
affair. That action on Great Britain's 3
part was merely the unwilling payment OF
an obliga ion to the Kaiser, which was in
Cured in the early stages Of the Transvaal
war 1t Is said that the Kaiser took per-
sonal umbrage at Great Britain's half
hearted support OF that episode, which pre-
vented his gaining his real object. namely,
the creation Of precedent by landing q
German force on some pretext In South
American territory. King Edward. on the
other hand, resented the Kaiser's obvious
desire to create i'll feeling between the
United States and Great Britain.
It has been frequently commented on
that there has been no meeting since be-
tween the two monarohs, and apparently
none Ia contemplated. The situation re-
ouires no further explanation to the close
student of events, and the exchange OF
visits between King Edward, King Victor
Emmanuel of italy and President Loubet
Of France have become Of added signifi-
cance.
Europe has not yet had time to consider
6fhs full bearing Of this momentous news
pf a Russo German alliance. The danger
}Df war in the not distant future in the Far
! East ia admittedly great. Three practical
questions present themselves.
First. in case of conflict Of Russia
against Japan or against Japan and China,
would Germany, in case Of need, assist
Russia and thus draw in Great Britain?
Second, in the latter event, could France
be depended upon to cooperate with her
arch enemy, Germany. in aiding Russia?
Third, could the United States be relied
upon to keep it's hands of in such astruggle?
To none of these questions can ready
answer be found at the present moment.
The new situation is felt to be portentous
Of gigantic events Some profess to believe
that the new elements will make for reace.
Iley argue that TO one dare initiate a
struggle which would hardly fail to be-
come worldwide. They point out the
Cars latest pacific utterances. They
instance Japan's wonderful self-control
for the past few weeEs.
The pivotal points, after ALL are Russia
and China The latter, according to the
latest advices, has reached condition OF
desperation under the sting of Russian
aggression, which, it is feared may render
her capable of any folly in the way OF re-
eistance, however futile, against her all.
powerful nei ghbor. All Russian profess
slons, whether pacific or bellicose, must be
regarded not only with suspicion, but with
complete incredulity. 1t must be added,
also, that even the Kaisers peaceful assur-
ances should hardly be accepted with
entire confidence.
The crisis is felt to be very grave. The
British roreign Office and all the influence
that England has been able to bring TO bear
on Japan has been exerted in favor OF
peace.
II is recognized that the reaction of opin-
ion in France is not vet sufficiently pro-
bounced for one to rely with any confidence
or Ter Will drawal from the duties OF her
alliance with Russia in case of war. The
effect Of the news that this might throw
hcr into tire same camp with her conqueror
Of 1870 mus, be allowed TO develop. War
between Russia Germany and France on
one side and Great Britain and japan on
TIE oil er. without the assured cooperation
OF Unit ed States, would be nothing short
Of crime against race and civilization.
That is tie English view. The Continental
views are perhaps more cynical and cold
llooded.
Ilose who argyle that the new alliance
tends towards peace must for similar rea-
sons admit that the cause of peace would be
stl!l further conserved if the United States,
by IA definite declaration, would arraign
Themselves with Great Britain and Japan
In certain eventualities. TLen there would
be restored balance which neither the
Gear nor tie Kaiser, however ambitious or
land-lungry, would dare to disturb.
Attention for the moment will be con-
centrated IN France. No one can foret ell
how the news of the Russo-German alliance
will be received by the nation at large.
The Comics ministry is believed to be
lettering to its fall The country is in
rarlous state, politically Speaking and
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