Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-08-06


tor of Turkey and In return counted
upon the Turkish army as a reen-
forcement TO the armies of the triple
alliance, she was obliged to stand
aside and permit her ally to attack
and dismember her friend.
AS for Austria, for nearly dozen
years the statesmen OF the dual mon
archy have perceived the change In
the direction of Italian ambition.
Trieste, the Trentino. the Bosnian an
nexation, the future Of Albania-all OF
these are points where Italian and
Austrian designs conficted. and for
several years Austria has been build
ing forts from the Tyroi to the gulf
Of Cattaro and preparing for a con-
fict with Italy.
Based on Three Treaties.
The original triple alliance Of 1882
was concluded for a term OF five years,
and when 1t expired In 1887 the IRE
dentists and other radical factions In
Italy strongly opposed the renewal of
the agreement 1t required all the In
fiuence and political persuasion OF
Premier Crkpi 10 bring Italy into
line In 1891 the treaty was again
renewed, as 1t was In 1892, but with
added distrust and opposition on the
part of Italy. The last renewal
was for a term of twelve years, and
In 1904 the alliance, somewhat modi-
fed IN its terms, was renewed for ten
years, with the provision that any one
of the contracting powers had the
right to cancel its adherence to the
alliance by giving notice one year be-
fore the expiration of the treaty.
The last renewal of the alliance was
made on Dec. Z. 1912, two years be-
fore the expiration of the agreement.
and 1t Is understood that this prema-
ture renewal was due TO the fact that
certain changes IN the treaty were nee
essary so as to make the alliance more
binding in view of the expected COM
plications in the Balkan peninsula re-
sulting from the annexation of Bosnia
and the Herzegovina by Austria and
the war in the Balkans.
The triple alliance is based upon
three treaties; the first between Ger
many and Austria, the second between
Germany and Italy, and the third be-
tween Austria and Italy. The terms
of the treaty between Germany and
Austria are practically the same as
those of the original treaty of 1879
and are directed against Russia. The
German-Italian treaty provides for
mutual assistance in case either of the
two powers should be attacked by
France BY the terms of the treaty
between Austria and Italy friendly
neutrality is assured by Italy should
Austria be attacked by Russia, and by
Austria. should Italy be attacked by
France. The terms of the treaties be-
tween Germany and Italy and between
Austria and Italy have never been
made public. The German-Austrian
agreement, however, was published on
Feb. 3, 1883, at the instigation of Bis
marck. 10 put "a stop TO Russia's war
like preparations.
The Fleet of Italy.
Ostensibly the treaties upon which the
alliance is based provide only for the
conduct and attitude of the contract
ing powers in the event of war with
Russia or France.
There Is little doubt, however. that
under these general terms specifica-
tons were made as to the conduct of
each of the powers interested in time
of peace. IL thus became evident soon
after the Encouragement of the treaty
by Bismarck and Crispi at Friedrichs-
rub. In the spring of 1887. that Italy
had undertaken TO maintain a for
midable fleet on the Mediterranean.
while as quid pro quo Italian agricul-
tural products were e. have convenient
access to Germany and Austria. 1t Is
! also evident that since Germany has
begun TO construct a modern fleet. Italy
has not maintained the feet of the late
eighties la first class order or aug
mented 1t by distinctively modern
craft