The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-27
GREAT BRITAIN,
FRANCE AND ITALY
MAKE PEACE PACT

London. Oct. 27.-The close secrecy
which for a considerable time has sur
rounded an event Of first magnitude in
day. A military convention, which in
effect amounts to full defensive alliance.
has been made between Great Britain,
France and Italy. This momentous in
strument has not nominally come into
effect as yet. but in reality is is already
an almost dominating factor in the Eu-
ropean situation.
1t becomes operative whenever the
triple alliance between Germany Austria
Hungary and Italy, or rather the three
treaties usually grouped under that desig-
nation shall expirt "either by expiration
of time or by any other cause"
This regrouping OF the great powers is
a natural outcome Of the destruction Of
the balance Of power in Europe conse-
quent upon paralysis OF Russia in the
Japanese war. 1t is an important step
in the formation of a league OF speace-the
great object which King Edward has
labored to achieve ever since he came to
the throne of Great Britain. II has be
hind IT the cordial support Of Spain and
Portugal There Is good reason for believ-
ing that IL commands also the sympathy
OF the United States government, which
has been we'll aware Of its inception and
purposes.
The creation OF this new international
compact has been accomplished and fol-
lowed by serious difficulties and even dan
gers. First and obviously was the fact
that Germany would regard II not only
with natural resentment, but as direct
menace. II was negotiated on the eve OF
the Algeciras conference and IL can hard
ly be denied that II was designed to some
extent to act in restraint of Germany al
that time. Its purpose. however, Is In
every respect non-aggressive and II was
and is impossible for the German emperor
to criticise IL except by abandoning of his
oft-professed love for peace
An element OF danger arose during the
last summer. A strong anti-Italian senti-
ment has beeen growing in Australia
gary for some years So long as Italy
remained cirtually an ally this Feeling
could scarcely find official or open ex-
preston, especially with Germany exer-
cising a continual influence in restraint
or It, When the internal crisis I'm Aus
tria-Hungary became acute last summer
the Austrian Government was at one mo-
ment strongly tempted to heal domestic
dissension by an attack upon Italy-a
move which would have been popular In
both countries of the dual monarchy. Ad-
ditional excuse for such an expedient
would have been found I'm secret mill
tary conviction which II was learned had
beeen made by Italy with Servia, with
whom Austrian relations were and still
are hostile
Italy learned of this danger and was
most anxious to avert H. She was en-
urely unprepared in n military way FOR
war on her Austrian frontier She knew
that she could not successfully defend
Venice and the neighboring provinces.
II was In this situation that the inter
view between King Edward and the
understood in inner diplomatic circles
that one OF the objects of that con-
ference was 10 enlist the kaiser's in
huence In restraint OF Austria's pos
sible aggression. II is now believed
that this danger has disappeared.
The political situation in Europe as a
whole Is more satisfactory today than
IL has been for several years. Pessi-
mists point TO the fact that the death
OF the sultan must b. expected within
few months ani that the death OF
Emperor Francis Joseph may create a
crisis at any time. But the safeguards
OF peace grow stronger day by day.
King Edwards League of Peace should
be able very soon to bear any strain
that may he put upon II.