The article ends by the significant declaration that "in- genious
diplomatic formula3 are all very well in determining international relations in time of peace, but when it is a ques- tion of a military alliance or of mutual support at a critical moment, when the destiny of a State for many years may hang in the balance, all should be clear, simple, and above board." The article is a curious symptom of Russian feel- ing. At the same time, competent observers are noticing a considerable cooling of French sentiment as regards the TLe French, too, are asking what they get by it. But though the Alliance is clearly by no means so popular as it was, we do not suppose that there is any likelihood of an end being put to it. The two Powers may feel at liberty to grumble, especially as the virtual break-up of the Triple Alliance has taken away a great deal of their uneasiness, but neither the Emperor nor the Republic is likely to proceed from grumbling to repudiation.
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