The times., 1901-04-01

pose fresh war burdens upon her peo-
pie.
Both England and Germany have the
deepest cause for perturbation in the
prospect that Italy will shortly with
draw from the Triple Alliance. and, for
saking Germany and Austria, ally her
self with France and Russia. The
Triple Alliance, as is generally known
has been milestone around the neck
of Italy for years. 1t has compelled her
to maintain an armament greatly out
of proportion to her resources. The
consequence is that the Italian people
are taxed to the limit Of endurance, and
there is universal suffering and dis
content among the lower classes, while
the national treasury year by year
slips into deeper water. Formerly there
were compensations in part. in the form
of tariff concessions, which permitted
the importation of many Italian prod
ucts-especially into Austria-on the
free list or under a very low rate OF
duty. Nearly all these benefits have
been Cancelled. while of late France
has been Offering the most liberal in
ducements to Italian commerce.
The reign Of Victor Emanuel II, at
its very beginning Is marked by de-
cided tendency to depart from the ira
ditions and policy of the past; and the
published views of Count Zanardeili.
the new Italian Premier leave no doubt
that desertion of the Triple Alliance is
-,
Should Italy finally act upon that
apparent intention, and take advantage
of the approaching termination Of the
treaties of alliance, to dissolve the old
compact, it is obvious that the stability
of the balance of power in Europe
would be at once and rudely shaken
Italy in alliance with France and Rus
portant factor in the worlds politics
than she is under present conditions.
AS a Mediterranean naval State, favor
able to the designs of Russia in Tur-
key, and Of France in Egypt and
Morocco, Italy would step into a posi-
ton OF respect and dignity which is
not now hers. The Encouragement
N0uiQ leave AFfl many NlAlAObN AhS PO1-
sibiIity Of first class alliances save with
England and Austria, and the advan-
tage. at least for some time TO come,
would be distinctly on the French-Ital-
Russian side England, as we have
seen, is preocaupied and practically
crippled. lille in Austria it is believed
that the status quo can only be main
tained during the lifetime Of the aged
Franz Josef. Upon his death the Aus
Hungarian Empire seems destined
to fall IN pieces.
With such revolutionary changes i'm
minent, it is not surprising that the
Western Powers should act with the
greatest caution and self-repression;
nor that Russia should be correspond
ingIy independent and determined TO
pursue her policy and course Of Asiatic
conquest L Is even safe to assume
that the situation as viewed from Lon
don and Berlin is grave enough to
cause the British and German Govern
ments to exert the strongest pressure
upon Japan in order 70 keep that Power
from precip.laung a war, the conse-
quences of which could not be meas
ured.
Reviewing all the considerations We
have presented it would appear iSees ,s5a,csiii- ',ss5a,csii-
able % conclude that. in all human
prohh3ointy, the Manchurian Conven-
zion viii be signed today or tomorrow.
and that, unless japan breaks all
bounds. the partition of China Will be-
come a fixed fact before the end Of the
-.-.l-