The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-04
FRANCE AND ITALY
FORMER ENEMIES PA YCoURT TO
EACH OTHER.
FETES AT T0UL0N NEXT WEEK.
PRESIDENT LOUBET AND DUKE OF
GENOA To MEET.

The Festivities VIII BE Brilliant.
France Apparently Trying to Coax
ItnIy Away From the Triple ALI
ance, Though This Intention Is De-
nfed-BeIieved That an Era OF
Good Feeling Between the Two
ed.
Paris, April 3.-The Franco-Italian fetes
a, Toulon next week are now the chief
,onic of interest in the French pvess, and
the subject is much discussed in politi-
caI and diplomatic circles. Spectacularly
the festivities will be very brilliant, while
if is generally conceded that the occasion
will rank as one of the most important
historic events since the Franco-Russian
demonstration at the same port.
Although there is no question of an al
lance between the two countries, yet the
meeting of President Loubet and the Duke
of Genoa viii be an incident of the first
value. because it will officially mark the
opening of a new era of good feeling be-
tween France and Italy.
Italy" said a French diplomat who is in
close touch with the official relations OF
the two countries.
The Franco-Italian demonstration at
Toulon does not imply that at all. We
have no reason to expect that Italy will
detach herself from the triple alliance. On
the contrary, we have every reason to ex-
pect that she will renew her adhesion.
The great significance of the coming
event lies in the fact that it indicates that
the irritation felt by Italy towards
France. which was aroused by the French
occupation of Tunis and which, ranking
in the minds of italian statesmen, has
done so much to injure our mutual rela-
tons. is now entirely removed, giving
place to a desire of better understand
ing between France and Italy.
I'VE shall now be able to discuss the
questions that are pending between the
two countries, notably the political stu
alton in the Mediterranean with better
disposition on both sides and brighter
prospect of a satisfactory understand
ing.
THE triple alliance is closely bound up
with the commercial conventions of the
three partners, conventions which at pres
ent are very favorable to Italian trade
I'm Germany and Austria-Hungary; but
Italy will apparently find considerable
difficulty in getting those countries to re-
new such articles in the commercial con-
ventions as favor the import of Italian
products. Therefore with view of
widening her commercial and improving
her political relations with France, Italy
may decline to renew certain clauses of
the compact bearing upon her military
and other contributions. Any such relief
10 Italy's obligations must necessarily be
of advantage to the military position of
France in Europe
Thus" concluded the diplomat, while
the meeting of NJ. Loubet and the Duke
of Genoa, together with the Franco-Ital-
IAN naval demonstration, must not be
taken as a prelude to the withdrawal of
Italy from the triple alliance, yet it may
herald a noteworthy modification of the
International situation. We do not wish
for written convention with Italy. We
believe the re-establishment of thorough
ly sympathetic relations between the two
peoples will prove of greater worth than
any existing treaties