NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE German Emperor, during a visit to Hamburg on Monday, stated publicly that the Treaty extending the Triple Alliance to 1897 had been signed on the 28th ult. It is believed that few serious alterations have been made in its terms, but that some onerous clauses compelling the Italian Government to keep its Army in readiness for mobilisation, have been omitted at King Humbert's request. The Alliance, though nominally arranged in its present form only in 1886, has been practically in existence since 1883, when two secret treaties were signed between Italy and Austria, and Italy and Germany. Hitherto it has produced nothing but an armed peace; and though the Russian Government is irritated, and its newspapers talk of projects among the allied Powers certain to lead to war, the general feeling of Europe is one of in- creased security. The worst feature of the Alliance is that no term can be foreseen for its expiration. The French will be as angry with Germany, and the Russians will be as jealous of Germany, in 1897 as they are now.
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