Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-07
THE AUSTR0-ITALIAN CRISIS.

Austria and Italy are allies. but the al
lance is as thin and nonresident as the
paper on which the pact
a Frau Is written. The political
Partnership. conditions. besides. are
aggravated by the racial
animosities. which are implacable. and the
recent outbreaks at F1ume and lara be-
tween Croitians. Austrian Hungarian sub
jects. and Italians are characteristic and
q constant source Of alarm for the govern
ments at Vienna and at Rome. That the
danger of a conflict is imminent the recent
events on the Istrian coast Of the Adriatic
are the apparent storm signals. But. aside
from these. there are other notes Of warn
ing from Vienna and from Rome.
A cable, dated Vienna. October 2. declares
that the minister Of national defense an
nounced in the lower house OF parliament
| that day proposition to increase Austrian
armament by the creation Of fifteen new
field and fourteen fortress batteries, but
that the credits would not be asked until
1t was ascertained whether Austria and
Hungary would bear the expense In COM
mon. and II both should not increase their
artillery. The significance Of this action Ia
| manifest In view of the troubles in Flame
and in lara. both largely composed Of Ital-
Ian settlers. In the former clay the Aus
AO-NEOitiduS cdcheQ the mouse Oh ire mayor,
| an italian. and pillaged villas. To this ag-
gression the Italians replied by cries Of
'Fuori Croati'-"Out with the Croitians'-
and there were pistol shots and bloodshed.
The excitement at Vienna and Rome was
great.
i
journal at Turin, the Stampa, pub
fishes an article dated Rome. October 2.
| which is interesting because
The italian Of Its semi-ohicial character.
View. THE italian minister OF
foreign affairs. M. Tittoni.''
says the Stampa, has refused the invita-
| ton to take part in the proceedings of the
International peace congress which was
recently held at Milan. It was impossible.
TOR fact, for our minister OF foreign at
fairs to join with those who come to preach
peace In Italy. when we are breathing air
that II anything but pacific on the Austro-
Italian frontier. Such action ON the part
OF NJ. Ttttoni would have furnished arms
to Italian socialists for their anti-militarist
propaganda.
Besides. It IL reported from absolutely
well-informed sources that M. Tfttoni will
address Count Goluchowski an official note,
complaining of the aggressive acts of the
Croitian population Of Fiume and lara
against Italians and demanding reparation.
The Italian government may not make dip
lomatic claims against the want of tact Of
our Australian ally for the warships which
came to maneuver so near the italian coast
that the bathers at Bellovia were endan-
gered. But at Fiume and lara Italian
subjects Of King Victor Emmanuel have
been shorn of their rights Of person and
property. and as soon as the italian consul
shall have made an official report at Rome
the minister of foreign affairs will send
his note to Vienna" And the Stampa adds:
For long time Italians have been aware
OF the gravity of the situation. They know
| that the arming Of Austria-Hungary is d.
Ina ag,,cf Tfa1ry &c cot q
Vienna. 1t is true that they have little con-
| fidence in the stability of the Italian min
| istry and they fear that the war party may
come suddenly in power and make trouble
But Italy fears that Austria. in increasing
her ornaments against Italy, hopes to re-
duce her to immobility and inaction in an
ticipation of the day when Austria is ready
to march upon Salonica.
However this may be, the hypothesis OF
possible conflict with Austria remains the
great menace Of the hour. and it is certain
ly not the moment to make a propaganda
of naturalization by fine speeches in the
international peace congress at Milan"
**
On the other hand one might imagine
that the millennium of peace had already
arrived. judging by the unanim-
Peace .ity with which the peace con-
Talk. gress at Milan approved on Sep
TENDER 10 motion to the effect
that all nations should form popular fed
erations and unions to be united in one
great International federation. And this
resolution was given emphasis by tele-
gram from the popular and sympathetic
Victor Emmanuel King Of Italy, greeting
the congress and c0ngratulating 1t on its
sublime aspiration for universal peace"
These manifestations for peace are high
ly creditable to the participants and doubt
less serve in many ways, not Immediately
clear. the interests of mankind. So long as
the human heart is sinful and above all
desperately wicked" and daily contact
with the most approved human species in
dicates that it will be thus to the end of
time. war will continue to be a necessity.
The writer in this connection recalls an in
cident. He was seated In a cafe in Alex
andria, Egypt one day when two persons
engaged in angry colloQuy entered and sat
near by. The question at issue between the
disputants terminated in this wise: Know"
said one who was the stronger. that in this
world there are only wolves and sheep;
robbers and robbed. You say I am rob-
Der; that you are the robbed. I grant it.
glass of wine and let us drink that you may
have better luck" and he added sarcasti-
cally, that you may be a wolf" The VIC
tim accepted the wine. remarking that at
was the best he could do or words to that
effect. Whenever the writer reads of war
and peace conventions the recollection of
the conversation between Greek and Ar
menian arises as an object lesson Of the
The Italian government, recognizing the
gravity of the situation. has done whatever
1t could to mask the actual
A Dangerous conditions and with this OBJ
Situation. ject in view sent to Vienna
recently on friendly mis-
sion the chief Of the general staff of the
Italian army. Gen. Soletta, which act
proves that while the diplomatic relations
between the two governments are correct,
the popular relations are most hostile and
dangerous. La Tribuna referring to certain
anti-Austrian manifestations at Florence.
announces that the authorities In conse-
quence suspended on the 18th instant the
public concerts. which were to be given on
the Place Victor Emmanuel in honor Of the
anniversary Of the crown prince, lest at
that critical moment the public might seize
the occasion to insult the Austrian flag.
The Queen Dowager Marguerite 10 travel
ing incognito in an automobile in France at
this moment under the name Of Countess
slapingi, accompanied by q lady in walt
ing and q chamberlain. On the Both ultimo,
while forty officers of the garrison of