New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-26
ANorHER IMPERL1L LYTERHIKW

of Austro- Hungary this week is one of those
bits of diplomatic by-play which the Italian
Foreign Office is constantly devising for Euro
pean effect. The meeting has been arranged
with theatrical abruptpess, and, SO far as the
world can judge, without adequate cause.
After the Congress of Berlin there was great
dissatisfaction in Italy over the meagre results
of the negotiations so far rs that nation was
concerned. Indignation meetings were held in
various towns, and the Ministry was denounced
for not securing the rctrOcessiOn of the Trentlno
and Trieste. This agitation has almost holly
subsidized, and the attention of the people has
been distracted by the French policy of aggres-
sion and adventure in North Africa. The
Italians are never without n foreign grievance
of some kind. but one cause of national resent
mcnt quickly Obscurcs another. The rcdemp
ton of the fragment that remains of Austrian
Italian territory has ceased to be a pressing
issue, and the relations of the two countries are
unclouded with suspicion or jealousy. The
meeting of two amiablc sOvcreigns, when there
has been no cause for arrangement and there is
no public necessity for reconciliation, is devoid
Of political significance. 1t has been arranged
with a view to magnifying the importance of
the Italian court The interview between the
Kaiser and the Gar at Dantzic was more than
a nine days wonder in Europe. The approach
ing meeting of the Gar and the Hapoburg is a
mystery of the Cabinets which may be fraught
with momcntOuS interests to the races of the
Continent. During the interval between these
two conferences llumbert follows the example
set by the beads of the most powerful rclgning
families. lie. too, solicits the favor of a per-
sonal interview with Il brother sovereign, aud
in this way imprcsscs Europe with sense of
the Importance of his realm.
Italian statesmen cannot bc expected to neglect
any opportunity for theatrical display on the
Continent. How did it happen that their little
state became a great kingdom Was it not
mainly because their diplomatiSts Interested
themselves in what was going on beyond their
borders, and brought their influence to bear,
often ohiciously and in n meddlcsome spirit,
upon the complex relations of the central
States? Cayour seemed TO be wasting the re-
sources Of little Piedmont when he sent a con-
tingcnt TO the East during the Crimcan war,
but lac secured thereby Il seat in tho Congress
of Paris, and was enabled to lay the Italian
question before the Powers. His successors have
been equally fortunate in ayalling themselves
of diplomatic cxigcncicS and foreign comblna-
tons. II has become a settled principle OF
Italian policy that the nation must constantly
force itself forward and exert an active inilu'
cncc on the European stage. II Ministry neg
lects to assert itself conspicuouSly i'll foreign
affairs, the Jealous susccpubiliteS OF the people
are excited, and the groups of the Chamber are
always ready to form new combination.
Premier cannot strengthen his political position
more cflectualy than by making his sovereign
a prominent figure in the household of Euro
pcan soycrclgns.
On the other hand, the exchange of courtesies
between the two royal families is not an episode
that will revive any sen,itiycness III the Dual
Monarchy. That State Of many races and ma
tons Is practically united all questions relat-
ing 10 the Italian frontier and court, and this
diplomatic conference will not cause renewal
of that strife of nationalitics which Is the
chronic evil. of Austrian diplomacy. Such
ROYAL visit is not bcsrt with the peculiar dill
cultics which render a meeting of the Car and
the Emperor so embarrassing to a Magyar Min
islry in Hungary and to u Coalition Cabinet IN
Austria supported by the Poles of Gaiica as
well as by Czcchs and Slays. With its Germans
and Magyar5 pulling in one direction, and its
Slavs in another, Austro-liuugary would be an
eouiyocal ally for either Russia or Germany, it
those States should become permanently
cstrangcd and its position in benevolent
league in which it forms n double barrier
against Pant cutonism and PanSlayism is
equally unstable. The combination Of the three
courts is, however, the strongest that is possible
on the Continent, and Italy by attaching itself
II "A Allianan
leave, the Western Powers without working
ally on the Continent. One of those Powers
cherishcs dcep-seated resentment against
Germany, while it is wasting its resources in
Mediterranean adventures which have already
caused distrust and alarm in Italy. The other
may ultimately find its road to India blocked
by a European combination.
A. 4