The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-12

the exact term used by the informant
of the Associated Press as q "krieg-
esbdrobung." Whether such a develop
ment was originally contemplated from
the meetings between King Edward
and the president of France and King
Edward and the emperor of Russia, is
not stated, but the Immediate results
of the reports made in Berlin was the
publication June of an obviously in
spired article in the official Rossia
which, while speaking warmly in favor
of the meeting between King Edward
and Emperor Nicholas, declared that
the suggestion of any new grouping of
the powers at the present time was i'm
possible. Furthermore, Foreign Secre-
tary Grew announced in the British
headquarters that no further expan-
sion of the Anglo-Russian convention
was contemplated.
World Is Watching.
The world powers are watching with
intense interest the diplomatic move
which King Edward is carrying out on
his trip to Russia. This visit is of
much greater Importance than a friend
ly tete-a-tete with his relation. 1t has
the deepest significance for Germany,
materially affects Italy and indirectly
affects every European power. Sir Ed
ward Grey, in his magnificent defense
of the trip before the house of COM
mons mentioned only a part of the dip
lOmat1c Intent OF JIlS VlSlL. he QWelC
merely upon the fact that it would
promote friendly relations between
Russia and England.
The change i'll the grouping of the
powers for which King Edward VII is
Undoubtedly working Is watched with
the keenest interest by the italian
court and Italian statesmen, as 1t may
affect their peninsula more than any
other country. 1t is believed that the
British sovereign has to all intents
~ -
carry out the programme for tsolatins
Germany, already attempted by Del
casse when he was French minister OF
foreign aaffirs.
Italy then, as we'll as now, found
herself in a most awkward position
While she is a member of the Triple
Alliance, and therefore pledged to sup
port Germany, she is bound to England
by traditional ties. Indeed, when tie
Triple Alliance was first concluded, i!
was understood that the alliance should
never place the peninsula Kingdom III
such a position as to force her in any
case into conflict with England.
Won Brlow's Visit.
Signor Tittoni the present Italian
minister of foreign affairs, in his last
speech on the Triple Alliance confirm
ed this understanding. However, after
that speech Prince Won Bulow came t.
Rome and II Is now limited the rea
purpose of his visit was to obtain &
prolongation of the Triple Alliance
which. according to a clause agreed
upon in the last renewal. might have
been denounced in May of this year
1t is since that event taken 70.
granted that the alliance now remains
valid up to 1914 but no one know:
whether the understanding that Ital,
shall not be placed in the position o.
fighting against England still exists
or whether it has been changed, and. i
in what manner.
The situation is certainly mucf
changed from that which existed wher
the Triple Alliance was first concluded
26 years ago. At the time of tbs
Fashoda incident Italy acted as a linl
between Germany and Britain. Nov
when the entente cordiale between Eng
land and France, with repprochemen
between France and Italy and between
England and Russia, what really doml
mates not only European but worlt
politics is the Anglo-German antagon
ism.