ANTI-BRITISH DIPLOMACY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12929, 27 July 1905, Page 4

ANTI-BRITISH DIPLOMACY

The assertion of German newspapers that the meeting of the Kaiser and the Tsar has had for one of its purposes the forming of an alliance between Germany, Russia, and France to counter-balance the influence of Great Britain in the Far East may have in it certain elements of truth. At first sight it may seem impossible that France would combine with Germany against England, but more extraordinary alliances have been made.. As far as the Far East is concerned, both Germany and Russia arc deeply interested in preventing Anglo-Japanese influence from becoming dominant in China, while France may regard her position in Cochin-China as threatened by any serious diminution of European prestige in Eastern Asia. It is therefore quite possible that the three Powers mentioned may be considering the advisability of acting in unison while peace negotiations are being carried on, and that France and Germany may combine to exert pressure upon Japan in order to modify the terms insisted upon by the Mikado. Such an understanding between Russia, France, and Germany is only a revival of the compact by which Japan was forced to retire from the mainland after her Avar with China in 1894. On the other hand, Japan has now the pledge of England to support her against' intervention, a pledge which will be promptly fulfilled in case of necessity as long as the Balfour Government remains in office, though its value in the event of Sir' Henry Campbell-Bannerman being called upon to form a Cabinet would be considerably depreciated. Within the coming month the meaning of the meeting of the Emperors will be more manifest than at present. In the meanwhile there is every cause for uneasiness when Russia talk" of peace with Germany as a backer and 'France possibly ready to assist. : For these three are the three great military Powers of Europe, and so far the Anglo-Ame-rican alliance, which alone could prevent Britain from being isolated if the three combined, is still a dream. ■'■■'■• - /.