New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-30
NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE?
BRITAIN, RUSSIA, FRANCE.
Hints of Popular Opposition n
England-M. FalHeres Departs.

England-M. Faitieres departs.
London. May 29.-The close OF the Visit TO
England of President Faliieres OF France draws
public attention to the question whetner inc
conversations between King Edward and Presi-
dent Fallieres and the British and french lot
ei1n ministers will lead to the development or
the existing understanding between Great Brit-
ain and France into an alliance to which Rus-
sia NAV be a party At the conference between
Sir Edward Grey, British Secretary OF state tor
Foreign Affairs. and NJ. Pichon. the French for
eign Minister, the subject of more Ior'hai
agreement between their respective countries
and the coming visit Of King Edward 20 EN-
peror Nicholas discussed. so tnat hlhs f-u-
ward as well as Sir Charles Harding, Permd-
nent Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs and
former British Ambassador to Russia, VINO VIII
accompany his majesty, will be able to place De-
fore the Russian Emperor the views not oniy vi
their own country but those Of France with re-
spect to a closer arrangement between Or'A'
Britain, France and Russia
King Edward and the British government IL
Is believed favor military alliance anu 'iie
further isolation of Germany, but there IS MUCH
opposition In this country TO such an as'eeh7ii
on the ground that it would make necessary OH
increased military expenditure and possibly Gun
scription and also would lead Great Britain
into Continental quarrels In which sne was h0'
interested. A majority Of the press ana Vi 'iie
public say that 1t would be better ror Urea
Britain to leave we'll enough alone, and devote
her efforts to assuring the continuance vi ~
understanding with France Continental up
,on,at discussing the matter to-day. said:
E,npIishmen seem to forget Tor don't they
know?) that although not allied TO ice. orcI1
Britain more than once since Morocco mas H' o..
MED the political stage has notified to germany
that an attack on France would De conSI ,,oi
an afYront to Great Britain Tney Woulu ~, ~
have 10 do more than that under an alliance lot
without an alliance. after Issuing such an III.
matum they would be forced to defend FRANCE
il she were attacked
The inclusion of Russia in an agreement WIN
Great Britain and France would raise anotner
obstacle as the Iaborites and many radicals
are strongly opposed to any dealings with RUS
"a, until change is made in the interior gov
eminent Of that country Sir Edward Grey re-
nlvine to a question in the House of Commons
last Thursday said that no minister wouid ac-
companv King Edward on his visit to Russia
,,.+ No nerotiatfons were pending for new
convention between the two countries and that
II was not intended to open negotiations for
one during the trip but the presence of Sir
Charles Hardinge at the Kings side convinces
the followers OF foreign affairs that some'hlns
in the nature OF an agreement is being con-
sidered
President Fallieres left here this morning oy
train for Dover He had requested mat theI7
he no demonstration of official character al
his departure. but with the desire OF showing
their good will for their guest King Edward.
the Prince of Wales and other members or the
royal family: the members of the Cabinet and
number OF diplomats gathered at the railroad
station to bid NJ. FaIleres farewell, and the
crowds which lined the streets around the sta
ton gave him a rousing farewell cheer.
The original plan Of returning from Dover to
France by the French cruiser Leon Ciambetta.
in which the President crossed the Channel. was
abandoned on account of the roughness of the
water and NJ Fallieres made the trip in one of
the French Channel steamers The British ships
at Dover and the forts fired farewell salutes as
the Presidents vessel steamed out of the har
Dor and the compliment returned by the
French cruiser and the convoy of torpedo boats.
fleet of British torpedo boats accompanied the
steamer until she was we'll outside British
waters
Paris May Z-The triumphai reception accorded
TO President Falieres in England has created in
tense satisfaction in official circles in France and
Is rega rded as the browning proof of the wisdom
of the policy begun when France and Great Britain
shook hands in 1904 Nevertheless. no official en-
couragement is given to the talk Of supplementfng
tries by formal alliance. The Foreign Office takes
the position that 1t is useless to attempt to dis
count the future. AN alliance in spirit. If not in
letter already exists official of the FOREIGN Of
flee said to-day, and content for the mo-
allow the understanding to develop along
natural lines. unhampered by formal phrases or
conditions
At the time the Forthcoming visits of King
Edward and President FaIleres TO Emperor
Nicholas in ST. Petersburg expected to clinch
the bonds between the three countries and perhaps
lead the formation of a triple alliance for
the preservation of the peace Of Europe Those
who favor such combination say that IL would
completely checkmate Germany and In contunc-
ton with the Anslo-Japanese alliance. would make
the three nations the political arbiters of E,urope
and the East
The Temps in its issue this afternoon saws
1t now regards the security OF France as assured
The time when Germany could occupy France as
a hostage in war with England is past the
paper says. Russia IS again her feet If Ger
many attacks France the Russo-French military
convention Immediately becomes operative and a
Russian army would against the German
Whether the AnsIo-French understanding Is
transformed into alliance or simply retains its
present intimate diplomatic character France is in
peril. She need longer be alarmed at the
menaces OF the Pan-CIerman press
MORE FIGHTS IN S4MOS