The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-08-07
By ERNEST WELlECk.
copyright, 1914. by American Press Asso
citation.

ciation
T<HE triple alliance at present ex
listing between Germany, Aus
tria-EIunSary and Italy was
originally formed on May 20
1882, and renewed from time to time
the last time on Dec. I. 1912. 1t was
the browning masterpiece and next to
the unification of Germany, the great
est diplomatic achievement of Prince
Bismarck, Germany's great iron chan
ceIlor" 1t was really the outgrowth OF
the dual alliance between Germany
and Austria concluded on Oct. I, 1879
and signed at Vienna by Count AndraS.
sy. then Austro- Hungarian minister OF
foreign affairs, and Prince Reuss, at
that time German ambassador at the
Austrian court
In his "Reminiscences" Prince Bis
narck with remarkable candor explain
ed the considerations which prompted
him to form the alliance with Austria
He realized the necessity of protecting
Germany against aggression by an al
lance with another great power. An
alliance with France. for obvious rea
SONS. was out Of the question. The
choice was between Russia and Aus
tria- Hungary Bismarck did not hest
tate long with his decision in favor of
Austria.
He knew that Russia would be
more powerful ally but with his usual
acumen and almost prophetic foresight
he realized that such an alliance would
in the end be fatal to the national and
racial interests Of the Teutonic peoples
of Europe He foresaw the tremendous
growth of pan-Slavism so carefully nur,
tured and disseminated by Russia and
aiming at the supremacy in Europe of
the Slavs. with Russia as the ruling
power Bismarck knew that Austria.
in greater measure even, was threat.
ened by the ascendancy of the Slavs
and had even more reason than Ger
many to fear Russian aggression and
Interference. particularly IN the Balkan
peninsula
Austria as a Bulwark.
The preservation of Austria as
bulwark against pan-Slavism was con-
sidered necessary by Bismarck to main
tain the balance of power in Europe
and insure the continuance Of peace.
Racial kinship. national traditions and
common interests strongly favored
Austria as, the natural ally of Germany
and these considerations induced the
chancellor to conclude the defensive al
lance of 1879
Under tie terms of the original
treaty the two powers were to combine
thtil entire military strength for mu
tllai support in case either OF the two
powers should he attacked by Russia
should one of the two allied powers be
attacked by some other power the 9th
er agreed not to support the attacking
power and to preserve ut least Il neu
tral state friendly to the allied power
Should Russia support the attacking
Euwrr. however the two allies should
make common cause against the enemy
as if Russia had been the aggressor.
The terms of the alliance were rath
er one sided and lacked the element
of reciprocity Under the agreement
the two allied powers were bound +"
support one the other only against Rus
sia. Rut only Austria was in Imminent
danger of being attacked by Russia
Germany's most dangerous enemy was
France and hot Russia. Yet "''u''
tha forms of the alliance. Austria WIZ
bound only to preserve II >''"
friendly neutrality should "er''"iN w
attacked nv E''''"-