INTRODUCTION. XXl 



lowest estimate, of disciplined warriors, like a circle of fire around 

 her, which may, at any moment, combine and hurl their serried ranks 

 in a concentrated attack on the Fatherland. And, to meet this 

 danger, she is imperatively compelled to form an offensive and de- 

 fensive Alliance with the Governments of Austria-Hungary and Italy, 

 because she knows full well a war on a colossal scale in Central 

 Europe is inevitable — France allied with Russia, against Germany, 

 Austria, and Italy— a war, which, when it does break out, will extend 

 from Moscow to the Pyrenees, and, from the North Sea to the 

 Adriatic — a war, which, at the onset, no man can foresee the results 

 of; and, at the conclusion, no man will be able to say what it has 

 been waged for, other than an insatiable lust for territory, and a- 

 determined resolve for military sway. 



This Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria and Italy, is believed by 

 some to be a guarantee for peace in Europe, but is it not rather a 

 menace, and will not its later and final development prove it to be 

 the accelerating cause of a great European war, as it is to-day the 

 powerful factor for the vast and threatening armaments which must, 

 sooner or later, precipitate a mighty struggle in Central Europe 

 for military supremacy? 



The publication by the Official Gazette {Reichsanzeiger) on 

 February 4th, 1888, of the full Text of the Austro-German Treaty, 

 will enable us to judge of its real scope and character, and of the 

 grave perils which this aUiance is intended to grapple with. 



Its publication was prefaced by an introductory note, as follows : — 



" The Governments of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy have 

 determined to publish their Treaty of Alliance, concluded on the 7th of October, 

 1879, in order to put an end to the.doubts as to its purely defensive objects, 

 which are entertained in various quarters, and which are made to serve diverse 

 purposes. ' 



"The policy of both the Allied Governments is guided by the desire to preserve 

 peace, and obviate breaches thereof to the best of their ability. 



"They are convinced that the divulgation of the contents of their Treaty of 

 Alliance will dispel every doubt on the subject, and therefore they have resolved to 

 publish it. 



" The text of the Treaty is as follows :— 



"'Whereas their Majesties, the German Emperor, King of Prussia, and the 

 Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, must regard it as their imperative duty 

 as monarchs to have a care in all circumstances for the security of their realms, 

 and the repose of their peoples ; 



"And whereas both monarchs— as during the federal relationship which 



