The Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1919. THE NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 21 May 1919, Page 4

The Star.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1919. THE NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Delivered every evening by 8 o'cloc* In Hawera, Mauaa, Normaiiby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Eaponga, Awatuna, Opunakc, Oiakfho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea. Waverley.

While attention has been riveted upon the Peace Conference during the past three months there has been growing up an international interest among France, America and Britain—the three great democracies of the world— and, though each may have approached the difficult tasks with views differing very materially, there can be no doubt as to the main decision arrived at that Germany, intoxicated with the heady spirit of militarism, must be forced to keep the peace. France entered the war in defence of her territory from the Hun, who for over forty years had menaced her safety, and in keeping with her pledge to Russia; Britain took her place in the conflict to defend the rights of small nations and to prevent Europe falling in.to the slavery which a victory for Prussian-

iem would involve; America came into

the war because she found that German militarism was the enemy of democracy and because she felt that ."to make the ' world safe for democracy" was part of the duty of t&e Republic which to maintain its freedom had, in the past, practised a policy of national isolation from the intricate mazes of European diplomacy and international treaties. Speaking broadly, all three fought for their own and the world's liberty. Victory in the field was achieved six months ago, and the terms of the Peace 'ireaty, ramembering tha enormity of .the task and the variety of views held by the eeveral Powers, represent another victory of no small value to the world. The peace terms, compared with the known aspirations of the Allied nations, show that each has" made sacrifices for the good of all, and one of the greatest sacrifices has been that of America, not only in finding a method by which she might take her place in the League cf Nations and still cling to the Monroe Doctrine, but in her willingness to join with Britain and France in a Triple Defensive Alliance. There have in the last 250 years been many triple alliances, made for «dt defensive purposes, the most notable, probably, being that arranged in 1883 in'which Germany, Austria and Italy combined to check the power of Russia and France. This Alliance expired in 1892, but it was extended, and on the other side developed the Triple Entente of Russia, France and Great Britain. S/ich a division of Europe tended'-to maintain the balance of power. Germany's aggressive war welded the Entente into a Very strong combination, while Italy honorably refused to give assistance to her former partners, because she did not regard the war as one of defence. The days cf the "balance of power" in Europe have passed, and the nations who were forced into the terrible conflict to protect the principles cf freedom and justire have learned that the future peace of the world can only be secured by a strong combination against militarism. America knows that she °can, no longer live in "glorious isolation" from the rest of the world. She stands for that freedom which has found expression in the laws of __ republican France and monarchical Britain, and to defend democracy it is expected that the United States Senate will approve of i the new Alliance. This agreement! should provide a strong support for th c League of Nations, but the most im-! portant immediate result should be found in the German attitude towards the rest of the world. When her troops marched into Belgium, Germany took the risk that Britain might not join France and Russia. Some of the leading- German thinkers saw the mistake within a few hours; others saw the second grave error when unrestricted submarining estranged the American people. It is very unlikely that Germany will at any time in future dare to challenge such a combination as France, Britain and America. The new Triple Alliance is one very satisfactory result of the interchange of views which the Peace Conference has made possible, and, if it is finally ratified, it should provide one of the most substantial .guarantees for peace. America has within the last three years found that she has had to make great alterations in her attitude towards the other nations of the world, and there is every reason to feel that her new views will be supported by speedy action should a menace to the world's peace again arise.