The Austrian Chancellor, Count Goluchowski, made on Wednesday a highly
important speech to the "Delegations," the Joint Committee from Austria and from Hungary which controls or criticises the foreign affairs of the Dual Monarchy. He announced formally that Germany, Austria, and Italy would next year renew the Triple Alliance "in its full value," and would execute the necessary signatures in good time. The object of that great pact was "to avoid aggressive action in any direction whatever," and assurances had been received which "enabled it to regard the Dual Alliance as a highly valuable complement and assistance in the fulfilment of its own task." These arrangements did not exclude in the slightest degree special agreements between individual Powers regarding questions which affected them alone, as was proved by the relations now existing between Italy and France, and the "thoroughly satisfactory" relations between Austria. Hungary and Russia resulting from the St. Petersburg agree- ment of 1897. It was now ascertained that neither Austria- Hungary nor Russia was pursuing selfish ends in the Near East, much less any acquisition of territory, and relations therefore which for years had been embarrassed were suc- ceeded by the friendly feeling which now exists. "Perils winch had caused permanent anxiety on the Continent were now checked." That is a most weighty statement, and there is no reason to believe it insincere. The Sovereigns honestly desire peace, though they are stiff aware that events might render it impossible.
