Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-14
GERMANY AND ITALY
Treating Relations With So
briefly and Wisdom.

cuse the tone OF some OF the newspape
articles which have appeared In the Italian
| newspapers and which, have reflected the
Francophile inciinations of the largest sec
! ton Of the italian people. In moderate
and middle of the road article the Cologne
Gazette admits the provocation, but recalls
It's German contemporaries to a sense Of
political fairness as well as of political ex-
pediency.
Neither in Italy. nor IN England nor In
France will the augmentation of the Rhen-
ish organ be adopted without reserve. but
it at least pays tribute to the straight
forwardness OF the italian government,
| which. when the conference was first pro-
posed. at once called the attention OF the
Berlin foreign Office to the character of
the Mediterranean agreement OF Italy with
France and pointed out that certain pro-
visions OF this agreement would render 1t
dlfhcult for Italy TO give Germany her I'M
reserved support at Algeciras. Indeed, this
situation was appreciated on the German
side, and in the light of the facts the atti-
tude and action of the Marquis visconti
Venosta was justly regarded as that of one
who wished to mediate in the interest of
peace. In German authoritative quarters
the Italian delegates conduct was never
unfavorabiy criticised, although it must be
admitted that a large section of the Ger
man press after endeayoring to make out
/ that Italy would and must support Ger
many, gave vent to its unintelligent dis
appointment in the harshest accusations
and reproaehes.
Absence of Sympathy.
1t is this German press campaign rather
than the telegram of Emperor Will
liam to Count Golouchowski which has re-
yived the anti-German polemics in Italy,
and has led. not only to an unfavorable
Interpretation of the telegram itself, but
also to the belief that In the highest and
and in many other German quarters there
has been an inexplicable absence of SYM
pathy on the occasion of the Vesuvius
disaster. Since then there has been an Off
cial expression of sympathy, and money is
being collected in Germany as elsewhere
for the relief of the sufferers. 1t would
indeed be monstrous. it is argued, If on the
one side or the other the political situation
should be regarded as checking the elemen-
tad feelings of humanity. The Cologne Ga
zette. however cannot resist the tempta-
ton of suggesting that If section of the
Italian public or press feels hurt it can
only be because their conscience is not
altogether clear. The hope is expressed
that in view of the unexceptional attitude
OF the Italian government this section of
the press will endeaVor to treat political
relations in spirit Of greater sobriety and
wisdom.
A more interesting though perhaps far
less authoritativ article appears in the
Frankfurter Zeitung. 1t points out that
when Italy in the year 1881 associated her.
self with the Austro-German alliance con-
cluded three years before, she was infiu-
enced by two great reasons-the increasi
power of clericism in France and the
French occupation OF Tuns. Both of these
reasons have now been completely elimi-
mated French clericism has been van
pushed, and, 1t is argued, can hardly ever
again hope to influence French policy
against the kingdom of Italy. The Medi-
terranean agreement between Italy and
France has entirely healed the wound
which was inflicted in Tun!s and has per-
manently settled the relation of the two
powers in respect Of north African ques-
lions.
Opinion Of Most Italians.
In the opinion of most Italians Germany
whatever other securities for Italy the
triple alliance has afforded and may con-
tinue to afford. cannot or will not helm
Italy in her colonial policy or facilitate the
exercise of what she considers her legiti-
mate influence upon the destinIes of the
Balkans. The desires of the Italians may
be unwarranted, but 1t is pointed out that
those Germans who expected Italian sup
port at Algeciras are equally unreason-
able. The Frankfort Journal goes SO far
as to declare: IF any of us really expected
impossible services from Italy, or IL any
OF us made gross mistake in estimating
the play of diplomatic forces, such people
have only themselves to blame. Wrath is
tendency to count upon gratitude"
Finally, with regard to the present po-
sltion of Germany, the Frankfort Journal
INDUCES in the following pessmistic warn
ing: Germany cannot face the new as
pect of affairs with very brilliant antici-
pations. The emperors telegram seems to
point out the idea of drawing our alliance
with Austria Hungary still closer But If
this be all we have saved from the wreck
or the triple alliance 1t is really very lit
tie. We can hardly face the new century
arm in arm with Austria Hungary alone
France Showing Interest.
France has been taking some interest in
the situation, as has been demonstrated
by the following statement made by IAN
old liberal parlianeEtarian" to the Berlin
correspondent of the Petit Parisien He
says:
The dispatch of William II is blunder,
which If the chancellor had had previous
knowledge of 1t he would surely have not
allowed him to commit This telegram is
in fact, gratutously disobliging for Italy.
need not tell you what think of Italy,no
whether l consider that she acted well or
otherwise toward us at Algecras, italy
is our ally, and as long as the treaty of
alliance shall not have been denounced or
shall not have expired we are bound to
keep a reserved attitude toward her, which
Is inconsistent with a telegram of the taste
of the kaiser. That / am sure Is Prince
Bulows own view, and 1t is also that of
the immense majority of German citizens"
1t Is everywhere argued that the question
Is one OF great interest In Great Britain
If only on account of the well-known en-
tente between Great Britain and Italy for
the maintenance of the status quo In the
Mediterranean and adjacent seas. If not
as much talked about as the triple aff-
ance and the Franco-Russian alliance 1T
might In given circumstances prove scarce
ly less important. Italy will never indorse
a policy hostile to Great Britain. which.
moreover, would be little short of suicide.
Even had she no engagement toward
France, 1T Is likely that her position to-
ward Great Britain would all the same have
led her to assume the attitude she did at
A1geciras, which, notwithstanding the as
sertions of the German press, did not in
volve any lack of loyalty to the triple al
lance. When Count Golouchowski first
assumed office and proposed to Germany
that the two allies should extend to the
field of diplomacy the spirit of the Austro-
German entente. which in reality Is of an
essentially military character Germany
showed little disposition to do what she
now reproaches Italy for not doing.
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