Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1910. A SIGN OF THE TIME. THE GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN PARTNERSHIP.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 21 March 1910, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1910. A SIGN OF THE TIME. THE GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN PARTNERSHIP.

THERE appears to have been a lull in the European naval and military situation, at least so far as news sent by cable from day to day is concerned. Doubiless the pacific assurances by the German Chancellor and by Prince Henry of Prussia on his visit to England, and the Ministerial crisis in Great Britain, have had something to do with the pause in events; while it seems that Germany has had to "mark time'' in naval construction owing to a temporary hick of "sinews of war." Hut it must not be supposed that German activity with regard to her international isolation has been abated in any way. It is not surprising that "a good deal of importance" has been attached to the recent official visit to Jterliu by Count von Aerenthal. the, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Leaving aside the impression now gaining ground that von Aerenthal is another Bismarck who may yet dominate the politics and diplomacy of Continental Europe, the relations between Austria and Germany, and the potential significance of those powers in international affairs, make any co-opera-tive movement between Austria and Germany, or suggestion of it, a matter of serious European interest.

As Mr. Archibald Colqtihoun, the well-known authority on international polities, has recently pointed out in the "North American Review," the indispensable balance of power in Europe is importantly affected by events as they are developing. From an inconsiderable ally Austria has become a powen'ul one. with an army second only to Germany's (or, perhops. France's) and plans for a Dreadnought na v y. Thus, although in its original form the Triple Alliance would have been somewhat weakened, and the balance of power disturbed by the evident lukewarmness of Italy about it, in the present position whatewr Italy's attitude may be, Germany and Austria represent a vast military camp, stretched across mid-Europe, with sea frontiers north and south and with huge navies in the- making. # * * » * »

Of course, allowance must be made for the circumstance that Austria has a very mixed population, Slavs exceeding the Hungarians and Germans (Magyars and Teutons). But while superficially that may look ominous, says Mr. Colpuhoim. especially in view of the disaffection of the Serbs because of the recent annexations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the light of experience it would be rash to assume too confidently that any section of a mixed nation would stand off or embarrass the Government in the event of an international crisis involving war. That would be an unlikely phase of Austrian development, th-:-moj'e so because in the case of conflict with Western Powers Russia might not be involved, and therefore Slav racial sympathy would not be evoked against the German rulers. '*' % ' *

There are other sighs also of a closer rapprochement between Germany and Austria all on a business and national basis, and all pointing to preparations for the future. Recently the Kaiser has made a point of cultivating the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne. The Emperor Frail/ Joseph, an aged man, cannot live much longer, and with his death there i mst be a removal of the dubiety which has marked Austrian relations with (<ermany. There is no telling whiit J.is successor will do; and the Kaiser, with his advisers, knows well how to play tin Cocllin and Short game. As Mr. Co! quhoun says, the Kaiser's exlrene friendliness with the coming Emperor of Auslriaftnay be permitted by the can tious old sovereign at Vienna as part payment of the price of German suoport of Austria annexations of Bosnia -u:' Herzegovina, which, unsupported by the "mailed list," in the face of Russia, would not have been attempted. There is general recognition that such price iiust be paid somehow, even if at some oil er nation's expense, and Austria seeuis to be paying it by furnishing auxiiury German naval squadrons and cmplaisance with German aims t-civnlly. Hence, with the Kaiser osteins iously hob-nobbing with the heir to tic Aus triau throne and von Aerenthal, the Bismarck of the future, confc-;ig \u Birlin, there is, as Mr. Col phoni siys. a significance in the situation 'nore or less disquieting. Calculations, however, are upset by the cablegram to-day announcing an agreement between Austria and Russia 1 with regard to tho status quo in the Balkans; and the resumption of cordial relations between those two countries which were interrupted by the Bosnia and Herzegovina annexations.