Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-19
+DREtBUhD TO END
Italy Will Draw Out of Alliance
in 1909.
GERMANY FEARS OUTCOME
Rapprochement Of England and
France Responsible.
MEDITERRANEAN THE PROBLEM
German and Austrian Interests
Always in Jeopardy-The Dual
Alliance.


Fears are being entertained in German
official circles in regard to the continued
existence of the dreibund, commonly
known as the triple alliance, which was
formed in 1870 by Germany and Austria
Italy in 1883. Oficial Germany believes
that Italy will not consent to become
party to this defensive understanding
third time, she having extended in 1902
the original twenty years for a further
period of six years; that Is to say. until
May, 1909 Count Won Bulow, chancellor
of the German empire, and Herr Won
Tschfrschky und Bogendorf. minister for
foreign affairs. are doing their best under
the leadership Of Kaiser William, and
with his indirect cooperation. to induce
their partner to renew her pledge OF
membership even If 1t be only for two or
three years.
1t has been generally known that Italy
has shrunk from the dreibund in proper
ton as she has become attached to Great
Britain and France. the latter especially.
Inasmuch as the original purpose OF the
alliance was to protect German and Aus
trian interests against these two nations
and Russia, it becomes evident. from
present indications, that those interests
are more than ever menaced by the same
powers; that Germany's fears are we'll
founded, should her Latin partner decline
a continued rapprochement.
Irritation Against France.
Italy, in fact, became party to the drei-
bund under the impulse of the moment, so
to speak She had causes of difference with
Austria on account of the territory. chiefly
Italian as to its people, which was then ana
Is still now held under Austrian dominion.
But this difference was at last outweighed
by jealousy and distrust of France 1t had
rise at the time when France responded to
the plea Of Pope Plus TX for help. in the
shape of a French army, commanded by
Gen. Oudinot, who demanded the restora-
ton of the old order of things In Rome.
then in the hands of the populace. The
sympathies Of Italy toward either France
years. At last, however, her distrust OF
France won out. 1t was the outcome OF
popular feeling, rather than that between
governments. Italy, which was yet ripped
its population. was difficult to please, but
seemed to be Of one accord In resenting
frances possession of Nice and Savoy.
Then, toward the seventies, on many occa-
sions the republic gave evidence of becom-
ing troublesome to Italian interests In
1881, when the French invaded Tunis, under
pretext of Furnishing the Krumir maraud-
ers, and, as result forcing the hey to
sign the treaty giving to the state French
protectorate, they gave the first indication
Of intent to extend their possessions IN
north Africa, and, probably, elsewhere In
the Mediterranean. In 1850 Italy had al
ready begun a campaign Of colonial ag-
grandizement in Africa, which for CEN
turtles had been regarded by Italians as
continent essentially for Italian expansion.
Fearing that her interests and her very
safety were menaced, Italy Joined the dual
alliance in a spontaneous spirit, which she
had often cause to regret.
British Sympathy for Italy.
Italy began to shrink from the dreibund
at the time her relations with England
became closer. For some years England
had become anxious about her colonies In
the Mediterranean, and fearing that some
international trickery on the part OF the
other European powers might cost her
those possessions she made overtures to
Italy resulting in an entente cordiale. This
understanding irritated France until, by
degrees, France bent toward England, and,
in a measure, toward Italy. This common
atty of interests was the direct result or
one thing: The desire of each OF those
powers to curb Germany's desire OF ter
ritory In the Mediterranean basin. With
the uncertainty of the latters attitude in
Morocco France and Italy agreed to
unity of sentiments which stands today I'M
precedented in the annals of diplomacy.
This rapprochement made ltalys partner
ship in the triple alliance burden, and
was the cause of her remaining specta-
tor, rather than a factor, In 1t.
France and England, each independent
Of the other. have always been ready to
check Germany's ambitions in the Mediter-
ranean. But Italy as the natural mistress
there, is not inclined to view with favor
any step that her northern ally might take
to become closer neighbor. The very
fact that the two most prominent allies are
antagonistic in interests evidences the in
effectiveness of the dreibund, not to speak
Of the irritation that exists in Italy on
account Of the troubles that occur every
now and then in the neighborhood of
Trieste.
Gibraltar and Malta would both lose in
Importance should Germany entrench her
self in or near the north coast of Africa,
or ever succeeds, by treaty or otherwise,
in leasing Austrian territory in the Adrt-
attic sea- or gains a foothold in Palestine.
whence she could overlook the SueZ canal
and immediate neghborhood. Malta, too,
Is one of the most valuable possessions or
the English crown, 1t being midway be-
tween the African coast and Sicily, max
ing 1t more Independent Of international
technicalities tnan If 1t were attached to
the continent.
Germany's Anxieties.
Germany has probably found a cause for
complaint in Italy's attitude toward her
and the triple alliance. In her anxiety to
renew the dreibund as guaranty of Ger
man security-primarily-a European
peace-secondarily- offered to It
ally certain inducements In the form of
mercial products. and 1t is conceded al
thought statesmen have never authorized
the statement, that Italy was permitted
to curtail her military expenses. the bur-
den of which was severely felt by the
taxpayers.
That Germany is always looking out for
her own interests Is we'll known. A proof
is had in the alliance in which she entered
with Austria and Russia in 1873. It was
organized for the purpose OF mutual under
standing, and was known as the drei-
kaiserbund.
1t was hoped that by means Of this friend
ly agreement between the sovereigns peace
would be preserved. 1t was not until the
growing cordially between France and
Russia became too strong to remain un-
noticed that the German emperor became
apprehensive. After conQuering his hest
tation he entered the new arrangement,
which was at variance with the dreikaiser-
bund, effecting the dual alliance. Prince
Bismarck and Count Andrassy agreed On
the terms for their respective countries.
The terms bound the contracting powers
to come to the assistance Of each other