The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-09-18


wrote william Stearns Davis In his
Medieval and Modern Europe, "
published May, 1914. Russia expect
ed the gratitude OF Germany for
this. but gradually the two powers
drifted apart, and at the Congress
of Berlin QSISl, which was held
to settle the Turkish question. Bis
marck took an unfriendly attitude
toward the czar. The result was a
realisnment OF diplomatic and mill.
tary alliances and interests, which
has divided the leading powers of
Europe into two great camps.
In 1897 Bismarck made an ALI.
ance with Austria by which she and
Germany pledged mutual help in
case of an attack by Russia. latter
1865 Bismarck did his best to culti-
yate. good relations with Austria,
TO help her TO forget her old de-
feats. 1t seems unfortunate that he
made no corresponding attempt TO
win back the friendship of France
Meantime, Russia was drawing
clio er to France (which had rehabili-
tated her army and was again for.
midablel and two dual alliances"
seemed coming into existence. But
the relations between Italy and
France were bad. II long seemed
possible that the French clerical
party might secure control at home,
and then try TO restore the temporal
power of the pope.
France and Pr6.ectorate.
In 1881, also. France established
a "protectorate" over Tunis i'm Africa
(whereon Italy had cast longing
eyes, and this drove the Italians to
fury Forthwith. Italy let herself be
drawn into Bismark's league, when
now became the Triple s'Iio'r--
to resist France or Russia. (The core
of the agreement was that II any
member of the alliance was at war
with any country except Russia, the
other two members were to stand
neutral: but II Russia mixed I'm the
war then all the other allies would
mix in the fighting. Germany felt
well able to handle France alone)
This move naturally made France
and Russia unite more firmly than
ever, but they did not make a form
al alliance till 1894. and It was not
actually proclaimed till 1897. How
ever, for long time previous to this
ii had been plain that Russia would
not be Indifferent to any new at
tempt to humiliate France. and vice
versa. With a revived French Army
and with the Italian army of some.
what uncertain value, these two al
liances seemed about equal in mill
tary strength. Europe thus stood d.
vided into two great armed camps
but each side feared the other The
two alliances really aided the per-
petuation of peace.
England Made Friends.
England has long been content to
trust to her feet and to dispense
with land allies. She hal
verbally distrustful of France, and
more recently had feared Russia S
designs on India; but, as German
commerce expanded and threatened
the English trade monopoly, and
as the new German navy developed
as a direct challenge, 1t seemed 10
English naval leadership and hence
to the integrity of the whole British
empire, Britons began to feel tlI
need of powerful friends.
"a compelling factor was the
friendship shown by the Germans for
the Beers in their war with the Eng.
lish, 1s99-1902. II seemed clear that
the German people were anxious for
the ruin of the British empire. The
French, indeed, showed sympathy
with the Beers, but not to such an
offensive extent The Boer war
taught the English that they were in.
tensely disliked upon the continent
and needed to cultivate friends.) In
1908. King Edward VII began a de,
liberate policy of cultivating closer
relations with France; a better un.
Outstanding between England and
Russia naturally followed.
The Entente Cordiale" Ian in
formal but genuine alliance of Eng
land, France and Russia) was the re-
suit.
This new triple alliance" can dis.
pose OF more men and ships than
the old triple alliance" but In any
case war has become too serious a
venture to be lightly risked.
The last forty years have given
painful evidence that the world is
still far from an era of universal
peace, yet there is great encourage
ment for feeling that II wars are
not yet abolished, they are being
constantly avoided, and that such
wars as do break out are being care
fully isolated. the nations only in
directly affected putting forth every
effort to preserve neutrality and paci
/ fy the combatants.
Great Development Of Commerce.
The great developments OF com
merce with its demands for law
order and protection, have done much
to aid this; much. also, the increas
ing expense of great modern war
almost as ruinous to the victor as
to the vanquished; but the greatest
factor OF all has been a growing
II 4 to