The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-08-22
BY ERNEST WELLECK.
Copyright. 1914. by American Press Ass
ciation.l

lCopyright, 1914, by American Press ASSo-
ciation.l
%HE triple alliance at present ex-
p listing between Germany, Aus
tria-Hungary and Italy was
originally formed on May 20,
1882, and renewed from time to time,
the last time on Dec. Z, 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
cellor." 1t was really the outgrowth of
the dual alliance between Germany
and Austria concluded on Oct Z, 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
marck 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
| ia-Hungary. Bismarck did not hest
tate long with his decision in favor of
Austria.
He knew that Russia would be a
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-Slayism 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 n greater measure even. was threat
ened by the ascendancy of the Slays
and had even more reason than Ger
many to fear Russian aggression and
interference, particularly in the Balkan
! peninsula.
Austria as Buiwark.
The preServa ton of Austria as a
/ bulwark against pan-Slavism was con-
sidered necessary by Bismarck to rnain-
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 the terms of the original
treaty the two powers were to combine
their entire military strength for mu-
tual support in case either of the two
powers should be 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 at least neu-
trail state friendly to the allied power.
Should Russia support the attacking
tower. however. the two allies should
bake 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 to
support one the other only against Rus
sia. But only Austria was in imminent
danger of being attacked by Russia.
Germany's NEST dangerous enemy was
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