ALLIANCE

The relation or union between persons or families contracted by intermarriage. In international law. A union or a ociation of two or more states or nations, formed by league or treaty, for the joint ·prosecution of a war, or for their mutual a istance and protection in repelling hostile attacks. The league or treaty by which the a ociation is formed. The act of confed• erating, by league er treaty, for the purposes mentioned. "' If the alliance is formed for the purpose of mutual a.id in the prosecution of a war against a common enemy, it is called an "offensive" alliance. If it contemplates only the rendition of aid and protection in resisting the a ault of a hostile power. it is called a "defensive" alliance. If it combines both these features, it is denominated an alliance "offensive and defensive." ALL IS I ON, The running of one ve el into or against another, llll distinguished from a collision, '- e., the running of two ve els against each other. [s. 66]