EUROPEAN POLITICS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11747, 23 November 1903, Page 4

EUROPEAN POLITICS.

We publish this morning two very significant cable messages. It has been announced, as ih& result of a conference between Signox Tittoni, Italian Miiuirter lor Foreign Affaire, and -Lord Lansdowne, English Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and of an audieno* acoorded to the former by Ms Majesty the King, that a perfect rniderstaTiding "fcas been i«*cb*d between Great Britain- aiui'ltpiy on «;«? question of foyeiga policy. v 'sf*ide9 this, M. Deachanel,' in *he course "of a debate on .foreign offairs in the French Chamber of Deputies,- dwelt "at length pn AngloFrench relations.. In a much-applauded speech, he" is reporiipd ti> have emphasised the improvement in the relation! of Great Britain with France and Bussla. In thla connection htt specifically stated that England's restraining influence Upon Japan was the chief reason of the Anglo-French "rapprochement." Hβ pointed out' that the expansion of the German naval armament is evidently directed against Great Britain, and suggested that the latter, now realises the danger of isolation. , These despatches are fresh evidence that the present arrangement of Powers and dominant interests in Europe is undergoing a change. The two facts which seem to etand out most prominently or* tji4 weakening of the Triple;,. Alliance by,-the defection of Italy, and the growing distrust and isolation of Germany. Whit has juet taken place is the natural complement to the visita paid by lung .Edward ,to Italy and France, tlie enthusiasm with wliich he was received in each country, and the equal enthusiasm displayed ..when President Loubet visited London. , Simultaneously with the weakening of the Triple Allian;e the improvement of ration* between England and France's ally, Russia, is very significant, and must be s> bitter pUI to Germany. The latter now stands distrusted and condemned in the cnincela of Europe. She is fast, acquiring the position of splendid isolation -which wai once ours { but, wherejw in our Case it was largely a matter of choice, Germany, plooed as she ie between the upper and nether millstone, may find Uolftiion a matter of life and death. She ie, however, reaping what she ha* sown. DoubJ*dealing, ehuffiing, and : misplaced btafte* are meeting their reward.