What did the meiji reformers want to retain, despite their quest for modernization?

(d) rivers.

explanation:

civilizations developed around rivers because their waters provided places to hunt and fish. also, as the rivers flooded, the lands around them became fertile. this allowed them to support farming. this is especially true of the nile river, which flooded the same time each year.

the triple alliance. germany and austria-hungary were already allies by 1879 when, worried about a threat from russia, they formed the dual alliance. italy joined the group in 1882. there was a concern about a possible attack from france and the alliance needed powerful friends to defend it.