so interfering with the liberties of Poland. Turkey followed these Christian examples in Greece, an apt disciple, the Greeks being supported by Russia. At the Congresses of Troppau and Laybach in 1820 and 1821 the then parties to the Alliance decided to assist each other in carrying out the Absolutist policy. In 1827 the United Kingdom came unexpectedly, almost unconsciously, on the scene on behalf of Greece and with its fleet at Navarino destroyed the Turkish forces. The Holy Alliance came then to an end as a formal institution, but, as represented by Austria and Prussia, has ever since, particularly under the thin disguise of the Triple Alliance (which was founded by Bismarck in its original form in 1875 with the avowed intention of maintaining the principles of the Holy Alliance), persisted as the champion of despotism and the determined foe of the rights of peoples. Russia abandoned the Alliance very soon after its creation.
The war now just commenced is the latest, and for the sake of political freedom it may be hoped is the last, effort of the forces of despotism against constitutional government.
As against this principle of the Holy Alliance, Great Britain and the constitutional and lesser States have relied upon another principle, equally fundamental to them. This principle is known as the maintenance of the Balance of Power.
Since the days of Henry VII., except for a period more or less contemporary with the Stuart occupancy of the English throne, the balance of power in Europe has, as an historical fact, been generally held by this country. It has often proved itself to be our great bulwark. The term itself has always spelt "self- defence " to England. At the same time its operation has necessarily involved the support of the weaker European States. And again, almost necessarily too, that support has been afforded when such States were in extremis or nearly approaching that condition. And so, by force of circumstances, this country has become the great "Saviour-State" of Europe.
The maintenance of the balance of power, though through circumstances historically associated so profoundly with the foreign policy of England, is not an obligation solely resting upon this country. It is a principle which has been followed by all the States of Europe which have had occasion to oppose the undue extension of the characteristic ally absolute and despotic States. Generally speaking, it is the right of third Powers to watch over the preservation of the balance of power among existing States, whether by preventing the aggression and conclusions of any one Power, or by taking care that out of the new order of things produced by internal revolutions no existing
