The comments of the European Press on the meeting make
very interesting reading. The Russian Press of all kinds is
pleased, and the Radical Russ not the least of them. The French Press is naturally sympathetic, and it may be noted with satisfaction that the Tribuna, the important Rome
newspaper, evidently approves of the speeches and what they
represent. The German Press, on the other hand, shows in some instances suspicion and irritation which are both foolish and unnecessary. For example, the Freisinnige, according to the Berlin correspondent of the Times, uses the following
exaggerated language :—
" We need not incontinently get into a panic and prophesy the worst. But we must not close our eyes to the fact that a mighty coalition, with pronounced anti-German tendencies, will hence- forth confront us in all questions of world-policy—a coalition which is already complete, even though there may be no written and sealed Treaties of Alliance. That we stand almost alone in face of the numerous ententes and Alliances which have been con- cluded all around us ; that we cannot even depend with certainty upon one of the Powers of the old Triple Alliance, Italy, is a deplorable fact which cannot be affected by any mood of the moment or by any number of fine toasts and speeches."
Let us say once more that such a view of the effects of the Understanding can only hold good on the supposition that Germany contemplates action which would disturb the peace of Europe or violate the legitimate rights of her neighbours.
For such writing as that of the Freisinnige no excuse is to be found, in the action of any one of the three Powers, in the speeches at the Reval meeting, or in the comments of any
newspaper of standing either in Britain or France.
