The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-19
~AngIo-German Relations.

z PCAANy as
Of the Deutsche Revue has attracted
much attention in Europe, because It is
known TO have been inspired in the high
est quarters and to have been penned
by a confdant OF Prince BrLow, the I'M
perial Chancellor.
1t begins by saying that conspicuous
representatives of the German and Brit
ish Foreign Offices would not have been
present had the interview at Friedrichs-
hof between Emperor WILLIAM and
Kim, EDWARD been confined to a re-
newal of friendly personal intercourse
between two near relatives. There Is
no doubt that a full discussion Of the
general international situation took place,
and from the subsequent change in the
tenor of the German official press it Is
evident that the position taken by King
EDWARD must have been heartily well
come to his imperial nephew. 1t is
equally patent from the declaration
made a few days later by the British
Prime Minister at Marienbad that moth
ing had been said by his sovereign that
would justify Berlin or Paris in inferring
that the present close understanding
between France and Great Britain had
been in any wise impaired. But how
n it possible for England to be at one
and the same time a warm friend Of both
France and Germany? 1t was not, says
the inspired German writer, the treaty
concluded between France and England
ut which the Berlin Government took
umbrage; it was solely the motive by
which NJ. DELCAssE was actuated in
bringing about the compact. According
to this mouthpiece of the opinion current
In the highest quarters at Berlin the aim
Of NJ. DELCAssE was to Use the Anglo
French treaty, in conjunction with
the Franco Russian League, TO isolate
the German Empire and ultimately to
subject it TO diplomatic and military
humiliation. That is to say, NJ DEL
cAssE contemplated a counterpart OF that
combination between France. Austria
and Russia which during the Seven
Years War brought Prussia so near to
ruin that a Russian army actually occu-
pied Berlin. 1t could hardly he expected
that a first rate Power would tamely
refrain from protesting against such a
project. As a matter Of fact, a protest
was embodied in Germany's refusal to
acuuiesce in the Franco-British agree
ment with reference TO Morocco, a re-
fuSal that brought about a sort OF panic
In Paris and caused the sudden resigna-
ton OF NJ DELCAssE.
We are not disposed to deny that UP
to this point the Deutsche Revue deals
correctly with current history. Il be-
comes more interesting and opens the
door TO wide international discussion
when it goes on to say that the con-
struction Of the cordial understanding
between France and Britain forced upon
the Berlin Government by the scarcely
disguised personal intent Of NJ. DELCAssE
is not essentially unavoidable, but that
on the contrary with a change Of view
in the French Foreign Office the Franco
British understanding might promote the
establishment Of friendship between
Germany and France and supply the
strongest guarantee Of permanent peace
In Europe. The writer shows that
truly pacific policy on the part of France
could only desire that the rel tons be-
tween England and Germany should re-
sumo a most friendly character. A friend
Of my friend cannot be my enemy. Ar
Anglo German understanding, therefore
would offer France the best possible
safeguard Of peace on her eastern
frontier. The question, then, naturally
forces itself on the Berlin Foreign Office
Why should French diplomacy continu
to show itself anXiously concerned Il
avert a rapproohement bet ween Ger
many and Britain? The an swer is tina
although NJ. DELcAssE has retired Il
private life, representatives of his schoo
of thought still retain important dip.
lomatic posts and seem to act on the
assumption that the real purpose o
tho AnglO-French understanding is moi
the preservation OF European peace
but the assurance Of Rritain's supper
In the event OF a wal that France mean
to bring about. The fundamental OBJ
ject Of the article in the Deutsche ReVu
il, inferentially, TO persuade Premie
SARRIEN and Minister CLEMENCEAU
who are the heads Of the present FrencI
Government, TO enforce the renounce
ment Of the Delcasse tradition and I
act on the conviction that the soone
Germany is included in the cordis
understanding already reached wit
Britain the better for the tranquility
stability and progress Of France.
Outside Of the desire for Ia revdneh
and the recovery Of Alsace-LorrainC