Volume I Part 75 (1/2)

II

ALLIANCES

Grotius, II. c. 15--Vattel, III. ---- 78-102--Twiss, I. -- 246--Taylor, ---- 347-349--Wheaton, ---- 278-285--Bluntschli, ---- 446-449--Heffter, -- 92--Geffcken in Holtzendorff, III. pp.

115-139--Ullmann, -- 82--Bonfils, Nos. 871-881--Despagnet, No.

459--Merignhac, II. p. 683--Nys, III. pp. 554-557--Pradier-Fodere, II. Nos. 934-967--Rivier, II. pp. 111-116--Calvo, III. ---- 1587-1588--Fiore, II. No. 1094, and Code, Nos. 893-899--Martens, I. -- 113--Rolin-Jaequemyns in R.I. XX. (1888), pp. 5-35--Erich, ”Ueber Allianzen und Allianzverhaltnisse nach heutigem Volkerrecht” (1907).

[Sidenote: Conception of Alliances.]

-- 569. Alliances in the strict sense of the term are treaties of union between two or more States for the purpose of defending each other against an attack in war, or of jointly attacking third States, or for both purposes. The term ”alliance” is, however, often made use of in a wider sense, and it comprises in such cases treaties of union for various purposes. Thus, the so-called ”Holy Alliance,” concluded in 1815 between the Emperors of Austria and Russia and the King of Prussia, and afterwards joined by almost all of the Sovereigns of Europe, was a union for such vague purposes that it cannot be called an alliance in the strict sense of the term.

History relates innumerable alliances between the several States. They have always played, and still play, an important part in politics. At the present time the triple alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy since 1879 and 1882, the alliance between Russia and France since 1899, and that between Great Britain and j.a.pan since 1902, renewed in 1905 and 1911, are ill.u.s.trative examples.[935]

[Footnote 935: The following is the text of the Anglo-j.a.panese treaty of Alliance of 1911:--

The Government of Great Britain and the Government of j.a.pan, having in view the important changes which have taken place in the situation since the conclusion of the Anglo-j.a.panese agreement of the 12th August 1905, and believing that a revision of that Agreement responding to such changes would contribute to general stability and repose, have agreed upon the following stipulations to replace the Agreement above mentioned, such stipulations having the same object as the said Agreement, namely:--

(_a_) The consolidation and maintenance of the general peace in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India;

(_b_) The preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by insuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China;

(_c_) The maintenance of the territorial rights of the High Contracting Parties in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India, and the defence of their special interests in the said regions:--

ARTICLE I.

It is agreed that whenever, in the opinion of either Great Britain or j.a.pan, any of the rights and interests referred to in the preamble of this Agreement are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully and frankly, and will consider in common the measures which should be taken to safeguard those menaced rights or interests.

ARTICLE II.

If by reason of unprovoked attack or aggressive action, wherever arising, on the part of any Power or Powers, either High Contracting Party should be involved in war in defence of its territorial rights or special interests mentioned in the preamble of this Agreement, the other High Contracting Party will at once come to the a.s.sistance of its ally, and will conduct the war in common, and make peace in mutual agreement with it.

ARTICLE III.

The High Contracting Parties agree that neither of them will, without consulting the other, enter into separate arrangements with another Power to the prejudice of the objects described in the preamble of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV.

Should either High Contracting Party conclude a treaty of general arbitration with a third Power, it is agreed that nothing in this Agreement shall entail upon such Contracting Party an obligation to go to war with the Power with whom such treaty of arbitration is in force.

ARTICLE V.

The conditions under which armed a.s.sistance shall be afforded by either Power to the other in the circ.u.mstances mentioned in the present Agreement, and the means by which such a.s.sistance is to be made available, will be arranged by the Naval and Military authorities of the High Contracting Parties, who will from time to time consult one another fully and freely upon all questions of mutual interest.

ARTICLE VI.

The present Agreement shall come into effect immediately after the date of its signature, and remain in force for ten years from that date.

In case neither of the High Contracting Parties should have notified twelve months before the expiration of the said ten years the intention of terminating it, it shall remain binding until the expiration of one year from the day on which either of the High Contracting Parties shall have denounced it. But if, when the date fixed for its expiration arrives, either ally is actually engaged in war, the alliance shall, _ipso facto_, continue until peace is concluded.

In faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorised by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement, and have affixed thereto their Seals.

Done in duplicate at London, the 13th day of July 1911.]