The Washington times., 1914-09-06
A NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE

have signed and sealed an agree
ment by which they bind themselves
to make peace together, as they
are making war in unity. They say
that
The British, French. and Russian
governments mutually engage not to
conclude peace separately during the
present war. The three governments
agree that when the terms of peace
come to be discussed no one Of the
allies will demand Con'litions of peace
without the previous agreement of each
OF the other allies.
For several days there has been
intimation that France might finally
surrender Paris in order to save it
from bo-abardment and siege. 1t has
seemed to the outside world as if
this would be violation of French
obligation to Frances allies. Es-
pecially would it seem a poor return
for the sacrifices that Belgium has
made in order to keep faith with
France and England. Belgium might
have saved herself the horrors of
conversion into a battlefield had she
granted the German request for per-
mission to transport armies through
her territory. The Germans agreed
TO pay all damages caused by the
movement, but Relgiun scornfully
rejected the proposal and opened
the war on her own soil the moment
that soil was violated.
German diplomacy, seemingly
still animated by the theory that
any nation can be bought at the
right price, is reported to have Of
fered great dominions in Africa to
Italy, if Italy WILL engage on the
side of the two Kaisers: and to
France, it has been suggested, she
would grant special terms if these
would withdraw France from sup
port of England and Russia. The
answer 70 all suggestions Of this
sort may be read in the agreement
now signed among the allies, and
what is yet more significant in scme
ways-published to the world.
Thus the resources and the peoples
Of the three allied powers are
pledged to the continuance Of the
war unit! terms of peace satisfactory
to all may be reached. If, Oh the
one side. this means prolongation OF
the war, on the other it means less
likelihood Of a second war Of new
alliances succeeding the present con-
f1ict. The real danger to a pnrma-
nent peace following the war has
lain in the possibility of the allies
making separate terms, each scram-
bling to take care of itself.
Russia has seemed the supreme
menace in this regard. Whatever
may be the fortune cf events or the
western stage, the claws of the bear
have already furrcwed deep the soil
cf East Prussia and of Austrian
Galicia. There will be no time when
Russia will not be postured to make
terms on the basis Of
something like the status quo. On
rhe other hand, France at best will
for a long time bear the burden of
a German armament That Russia
would be tempted to desert her allies
in order to get as much as possible,
and that France might in despcra-
tion bIv peace and surcease from
punishment-these have been the
menaces that London could not but
weigh heavy.
1t would he poor recompense for
the unselfish performance Of Bel
gium and Britain thus to be deserted
by the friends they sought to help.
The triple agreement to fight to-
gether and to make peace together
goes far to insure against a con-
clus;on that would advantage one
while sacrificing others Of the allies.
If the war is PROLONGED by reason of
this agreement, the prospect of
permanent and satisfactory peace is
increased.
kJICTDIk NJ EAII IIDEC