(See the Summary reference document for brief comment on this treaty of alliance)
CONSIDERING that Their Majesties the German Emperor, King of Prussia, and the
Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, must esteem it as their incontestable duty as
sovereigns to take care in all circumstances for the security of their empires and for the
tranquillity of their peoples;
Considering that the two monarchs as in the previously existing confederation [viz., the
Germanic Confederation] will be in a position, by a firm alliance of the two empires, to
fulfil this duty more easily and more efficaciously;
Considering, finally, that an intimate accord between Germany and Austria-Hungary can
menace nobody, but is, on the contrary, qualified to consolidate the peace of Europe
created by the stipulations of the Treaty of Berlin [i.e., the treaty of July 1878 that issued
from the Congress of Berlin of the same year in which the powers halted what was
perceived by Austria as Russian expansionism in eastern Europe] ;
Their Majesties the German Emperor and the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary,
promising one another never to give any aggressive tendency in any direction to their
purely defensive agreement, have resolved to conclude an alliance of peace and
reciprocal protection. . . . . . . .
ARTICLE I. If, contrary to expectation and against the sincere desire of both the High Contracting Parties [i.e., Germany and Austria], one of the two Empires shall be attacked [by] Russia, the High Contracting Parties are bound to assist each other with the whole of the military power of their Empire, and consequently only to conclude peace conjointly and by agreement.
ARTICLE II. Should one of the High Contracting Parties be attacked by another
Power, the other High Contracting Party hereby engages not only not to assist the
aggressor against his High Ally, but at the least to observe a benevolent neutral attitude
with regard to the High Contracting Party.
If, however, in such a case the attacking Power should be supported on the part of
Russia, whether by way of active co-operation, or by military measures which menace
the attacked Power, then the obligation of reciprocal assistance with full military
power, which is stipulated in the first article of this Treaty will in this case enter
immediately into effect, and the conduct of war of both the High Contracting Parties
shall be then also in common until the joint conclusion of Peace.
ARTICLE III. This Treaty, in conformity with its pacific character and to prevent any
misconstruction, shall be kept secret by both High Contracting Parties, and it will be
communicated to a Third Power only with the consent of both Parties, and strictly
according to a special agreement.
Both High Contracting Parties . . . . . hope that the preparations of Russia will not
prove in reality to be a menace to them, and for this reason they have for the present no
occasion for a communication. But if, contrary to expectation, this hope should prove
a vain one, the two High Contracting Parties will recognize it as a loyal obligation, to
inform the Emperor Alexander [of Russia] at least confidentially that they must
consider an attack against one of them as directed against both.
In witness whereof the Plenipotentiaries have signed this treaty with
their own hand, and have affixed their seals.
Done at Vienna, the 7th
October, 1879.
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