The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-08-12

BY CAPTAIN GEORGE /. kILMER
Copyright, 1914, by American Press Asso.
ciationl
"HE triple entente, a friendly
bond between Russia, England
and France, Is legacy which
Edward VII. Of England left
to posterity. He was the moving spirit
in its formation. 1t began with an
agreement entered into between Great
Britain and France and was completed
by later agreement with Russia and
the two others in 1907.
Its formation was actuated by sew
eral things, but chiefly by the growth
of Germany's naval power. That
could be interpreted only as menace
to England, for England is the su-
preme lord of the seas.
England's admittance into the under
standing between Russia and France
made the triple entente a formidable
force to reckon with II united In ac-
ton.
Anglo French Agreement Of 1904.
The Anglo French agreement, 30 call
ed, of 1904 was rather a diplomatic
compromise than an agreement. France
conceded certain rights claimed on the
French shore" Of Newfoundland for
an indemnity. England on her part
recognized the claims and ambitions of
France In Morocco, in other words a
free hand in that sphere. France
agreed not to fortify opposite Glib
raltar, accepted British occupation Of
Egypt and England guaranteed the
neutrality of the Suez canal. Other
agreements covered thirty years free
trading in Egypt and Morocco and
minor disputed boundaries.
Anglo Russian Agreement of 1907.
The Anglo Russian convention of
1907 regulates the interests in west
and central Asia, and amounted, when
made to practical abandonment OF the
traditional hostility of England to
Russia; also removing the chances Of
collision in Asia, where the two ma
lions had long been In a state Of an
tagonistic contact, in Persia, Thibet
and Afghanistan, England agreed not
to seek concessions in certain parts of
Persia, and Russia to observe the
same rule in other parts. In their re-
spective spheres of influence either
power might use force to collect debts.
Afghanistan Russia declared outside
Of her sphere. and both powers agreed
to negotiate as to Thibet, through
China.
Tho Triple Entente In 1914.
The arrangement and terms Of the
triple entente nave been formally set
forth as follC VS.:
The aims Of the triple entente, SO
called, Great Britain, France and Rus
STA, are:
First.-The balance Of power.
Second distinguishing Of the treaty
law In the interests Of peace and the
status quo
Third.-Disarmame
In April, 1904. the entente was made
between France and England. This
year when King George Of England
visited Paris in April there was much
speculation among statesmen and pub
licists about the possible transforma-
ton of the entente into an alliance.
1907 Russia had become member Of
the entente making triplicate.
The difference between an entente
and an alliance Is said to resemble on
its face that between tweedledum and
tweedledee, but in fact it may be very
much more. An alliance may be just
SO much stronger than an entente, as
an entente Is stronger than no rela-
ton whatsoever The triple entente at
present is a series of dual understand
ings between three powers.
In fact, 1t may be said of all these
alliances between the great powers
that they are entered into with great
caution and a determination on the
part of the statesmen not to go too FAR,
not to commit themselves to alliances
which may entangle them in brotls
with nations with which they really
have no quarrel An instance Of this
caution is found in the SO called en-
trance of Great Britain in 1907 in the
sphere of the triple alliance. Friend
ship between Italy, party to the
triple alliance, and England Is tradt-
tional The triple alliance was alleged
to be hostile to Great Britain, yet Italy
could but feel that In some spheres
she had, with respect to Great Britain,
q common p~arcy.
While this was for some time a mere
understaY 1t was Of such impor.