The Situation in Europe.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 171, 10 February 1888, Page 2

The Situation in Europe.

Bebi.is, February 8. A great sensation has run through Europe by the official publication by tho Berlin, Vienna, and Perth new spapers of the full text of the Triple Alliance. The document emphasises the declaration that the Alliance is contracted for purely defensive object*. The first article provides that the coiilhincd forces of the contracting Powers shall resist any hostile movement made by Russia on either of the three contracting Powers. Tho second article provides that if another (meaning France i attacks either of the contracting Powers and Russia joins that Power, or threatens either of the allied Powers, the latter shall assist tho Power attacked or threatened by placing the full strength of their allied forces in the field against the aggressor. Tho second article contains a strigently worded proviso to tjie effect that in the event of the forces taking the field peace shall'not lie concluded unless two of the contracting Powers formally signify their assent to such a course. The third urlicle accepts the peaceful assurances of the Czar, hut provides for giving proper warning whenever the allies consider that an attack is contemplated on cither of the contracting Powers, or whenever a Power outside

4 tin Alliance i<ioiui a menacing ttUiludik February 4. Ti.e IWrlin-eemi < ffi-ml organ* derL> Dial the publication of the tail of i .« Yr.ple :uice is a warning to disturber* of luu ,»!(«. eud will have tlie •■: o: subduing auy bclhgeiwnt spirit tii At might otlietwise have manifested itself at St. Petersburg or Pari*. February 7. In the Reichstag last night Prince Bi«mar.k nai a long speech dealing with the pre-enl I.uro-.au aitiatiou. Hr uiJ tlie policy of t rance had been of a pacific character «iucr tlic election of U. .-all Carnot to the Presidential chair. He did not appreheud a Kus-ian attack, as lie believed that the assurance given by the Czar was aholute. The pre ent fruition was n t in any way diti. rent lo that of 1879. and he perreivcd no ranee or p teat f.«r < ith r a Kuas an or a Euro(ran war a war with France would not necessitate a Hr -san one. though t . latter lu: .’lit involve the former, ilaferrr.g to ti e alliance, he said it was i, t i :t» ! i I into a* a menace to the f ilter Power*, but was concluded on gr» un is of common inlerc ts, and wr.ii a view if averting danger* cumin nto the t’.rie Power*. When the work hf re •rgaiusing the Lan Un t-. * <• • pii *.«si Germany would place a million soldier* on each frontier, which no other Power was aide to do. < ■ • rn my would then *'.ipfK>rt Kussa's claims for a revival of the Jailer's in* fluflf'e in Bulgaria. in accordance w;h the treaty. Germany was fntmw for p ico. but if attacked the vah>r of the l'< utoiuc rare would prove irre .stable. The sjieecli caused an iiiiii .tiH sensation m the Reichstag, and the hill dealing with the reorganisation of the lamdwehr was imediately pa »ed and formally referred to tli* lawn Rill Committee. There was a Urge crowd of spectators in the chamls-rat the time, and the Chancellor w i - loudly cheered on the conclusion of his speech. Vienna, February 5. Th« Pi- !her I.loyd says that the triple alliance will extend much bcmml benevolent neutrality in the interests of cither of the allied Powers that may be a.->aih d. February 7. The aml iguou* references made to the lhil- iri.ui question by Prince Bisi.iurvk in I is speech last night have ■ iii-td a feeling of di.-appoitituient here.

Sr. Peters!! rr. it, February 7.

Prince Bismarck's speech ill the Ihicl.-tag has been well receiveil in 11 • ijii i ft.cial circle*, where it is cons i. td to le of a futcilic character. It is felt. how . ver. that the speech leaves n *i.v pic.iit* connected ti th the Triple Xroaty involved in doubt. Mf Ia m nos. February 3. been cr> tit. .1 : it Kurvpe by tin psbUftios • f tlie ter.ns of the Triple Alliance. In diplomatic circles tlie publication i- u.Riih.l a* Pni.ce Butnarck's answer to M. Floquel'a hint of a desire fur a reconciliation between France and Germany, and also as an answer to th. distrustful tone recently use in,.>d by the Iluugmn..n press toward Germany. Ihe hiuies thinks the publication if t),. text of the Alliance at the pretj nurture must bring matters to a • . . uni tint I. ii. -is u pride must t.-s-l i elf culled upon to resent the rev. made by the publication. It • h . lures that ill tl>e face of the menace • itamed in the treaty Russia cannot w. honor reverse her present provoking |H.licy. and hence the increased activity in that country in war preparations. February 8. The general feeling in diplomatic cireh - is that Prince Bismarck's speech in tin Reichstag is of an eminently p i.’itic character, and that it is calculated to remove all cause of war. St. Petersbiro. February 3. Notwithstanding the protests made jointly by Germany and Austria, that tli«* continued war preparations by Ku-ia could only he regarded as threats by the other European Powers, those preparations are continuing and increasing in their significance. February 5. A gloomy view of tlie situation lias been taken at Moscow since the publication of the Alliance Treaty. The Press in this city adopt a tranquil yet cynical tenor in connection with the treaty revelations. Tlie .Veer Vttmyct nays, “ Russia will calmly await the proof* of Germany'• peaceful intentions.'’ . Paris, February 3. Tlie French l’re s hold that tlie Czar cannot now turn hack from*tlie policy he liae been pursuing. Home, February 5. The Italian Press slates that tlie alliance treaty provide* that in tlie event of France attacking either of the allied Powers the unassailed Powers will send 400.000 troops to assist the Power attacked.

The Otago Ihilv Times says :—lnconvniMtil as it may be. we see nothing for it hut to call Parliament together next month lo amend the l-uan Act before any loan is placed upon the English market, unless the Government can depend upon raising the whole of the million they require within the c. deny; and desirable as that is. Government would be unwise to allow

thenwrUr* to be driven into a comer. Beei-lea the question of violating the •r . 11». that «f pal Ha ■>h h •uvolved. and it is neeilless to point out 'An.-Mur; it is to exercise the most care on that point.