The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-14

Special cable 10 THE NEw YORK HEVALp
Copyright. 1920. 6v THE NEW YORK HXRtlp.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris. Nov. 10. s
You can never be sure Of perhdious
Albion. / prefer building with the
solid Russian block than with the
English clay for England is uncertain
as the sea which surrounds her" Bis
marck told Gambetta IN a secret inter
view in 1878 when heitried 60 form
Franco-German allia1se which would
he used eventually ag ~ Great Brit
aims sea superiority, which Germany
then realized she could not combat
alone.
French diplomats always have denied
that Gamhetta talked to the Iron Chan
celor but the proofs In new book by
Francis Laur show that the German I'M
peralist and the French republican.
whose heart was placed In the Pantheon
on Thursday. met at Varzin during one
OF Gamhetta's trips as a simple tourist
TO GermaifS The revelation Is startling
In many points. Laur contends the
chiefs not only talked alliances but ex-
changed Views on the disarmament ques-
ton both agreeing that II was lmpossi-
BILE TO disarm wholly but admitting the
necessity OF the reduction of eXpendi-
lures for military purposes lest the ma
tions clash
BiSmnrck's Distrust of England.
MOREOVER" Bismarck is quoted as
saying "our fleet will never take the Of
fensive. England will never let US pass.
It is of highest Importance that France
and Germany shall never become more
menacing than they are now to each
other"
To this Gambetta replied: you are
absolutely right"
And II the nations had followed their
advice. instead of suppressing, as Will
helm did. Bismarck, and as the French
repudiated Gambetta, the conflict of
1914 probably would never have resulted
Gambetta suggested that Bismarck try
10 bring England into a new alliance.
hut the Prince, frownlng, replied: You
might as well build castles on the edge
OF the sea as trust England. Let us con-
fine il only 10 nations that have given
proofs OF their sincerity. \ Franco
German Russi3n alliance will rally four
fifths Europe and viii be forever a
reality. formidable and unattackable and
forever obeyed."
But Gambetta could not see a mears
OF uniting the new born republic an
thought OF France with Russian Gar
ism. Laur's book creates a new figure
"a the father OF the Anglo French en-
tente-Sir Charles Dilke--who. accord
ing 70 Gimbetta. had urged an alliance
with the two nations based on the ques-
ton of sentimentality coupled with eco
nomic advantages. This apparently so
enraged Bismarck that he shouted;
But we have no common interests
with England Our markets conflict In
all parts of the world. We are and we
will become more and more rivals
Rivals ON the Sea.
n Gormany's growing desire for ocean
supremacy could have been overcome, "a
diplomatic entente along the lines sug-
gested by Gambetta might have been
evolved, but Bismarck objected visor-
ously TO letting the British have a
monopoly of the seas.
"Britain respects only those she
fears" Gambetta was told. land will
only become a faithful ally OF Cont
mental Europe when the united navies
OF the Continent surpass her own.
Bismarck even suggested, but In the
most yelled terms. that the annexation
OF Alsace-Lorraine TO Germany might be
waived as the price OF French adhesion
TO the proposed Triple Alliance with the
Russians, Bismarck admitting he did not
favor annexation but was unable 10
swerve the intention OF the militarists
like Won Moltke. who had made up their
minds TO take French territory as tan
gible evidence OF the Germany victory.
Gambetta looked the German leader
souareiy In the eye as he replied:
"That is a question which will divide
us only the more. Let us not talk OF IL ="
Apparently this frankness pleased
bismarck. for as Gambetta left after
the customary terms Of courtesy had
been exchanged Bismarck followed him
10 the door and almost affectionately
pleaded:
TAKE care OF yourself. Gambetta.
Won are burning the candle at both
ends"
n was the last effort Bismarck made
70 unite the German and French policies
IN a European alliance against England