Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-19
| COMPACT WILL STAND
Italian Minister Says Triple Al
lance is Not Weakening.
AN INSTRUMENT OF PEACE
The Country's Interest to Prevent
Anglo German Conflict.
WAR MEANS BANKRUPTCY
WAR MEANS BANKRUPTCY
Signor Tittoni Emphasizes Italy's
Loyalty to France and England's
Advantages of the Driebund.

ROME December 1a-An important state
ment of Italy's foreign policy, with many
incidental statements concerning the rela-
tons of the Europe"1 powers, was made
. in the chamber of d . lies yesterday by the
foreign minister. Signor Tittoni. He con-
firmed previous statements regarding the
permanency of the triple alliance and the
good relations existing between Germany
and Italy and Austria and Italy, said he saw
no probability of a conflict between Ger
many and Great Britain, and assured the
house that the most friendly relations pre-
vailed between Italy, Great Britain and
France.
Referring to the triple alliance, Signor Tit
toni said
81 am pleased that my statement fol-
lows the remarks made by the German i'm
perial c,.cncelor, Prince Won Buelow. as 1t
enables me to associate myself in his cor
dial eulogy of the triple alliance and those
who made it. The triple alliance will con-
tinue to form the basis of our policy, and
this is sufficient to show that those who,
from simple appearances, think they see a
weakening of the triple alliance and pre-
dict its approaching end are mistaken.
"It has been said that the triple alliance
has been modified. or transformed, and that
it has become essentially a peaceful al
lance.
A Peaceful Alliance.
THE alliance has always been peaceful.
It's most precious feature is that it is an
efficacious instrument of peace, and the
more since it's existence has been gen.
orally known. But this does not prevent
the most friendly relations with outside
powers Doubts have been cast the adj
vantages which Italy received from the
triple alliance In this connection it may
he pOjOt ed that if the triOle AL
lance which allowed us TO follow an indie
pendent policy and thus saved us from the
bitter surprises which many nations, in
Guiding the Italians, have had when iso-
lated.
The foreign minister classed as imagi-
nary allegations of German interference
with Italian interests in Tripoli and Ger
man Jealousy of the Anglo-Franco-1talian
convention regarding Abyssinia, the text of
which had been communicated to Germany
before the domument was signed.
Effects of War.
IF war should break out among the great
powers, continued Signor Tittoni. 1.-The con-
sequences may be summarized in the state
ment that it would result in the general
bankruptcy of Europe. Therefore, the pro-
gram of the Italian government is to main
tain and consolidate the triple alliance, and
maintain and consolidte her friendship with
France and Great Britain. The success of
we exercise the greatest loyalty in our rela-
lions with Germany and France. This state
ment is identical with declarations l have
made to representatives of those two pow
ers, without reserve. without concealment
and with no ambiguity.
"In Great Britain ambassadors of the pow
ers had occasion to see how the name of
Italy is sympathetically received in token
of the solid friendship felt for Great Britain
in Italy. The position occupied by our am
bassador in Great Britain enabled me to
have the honor of approaching frequently
the British sovereign, who is protiting by
the immense popularity which he enjoys at
home and throughout the world to distin-
guish himself as a most noble apostle of
peace.
Some persons had remarked said the
minister, that the danger of political and
economic antagonism between Germany and
Great Britain was creating an untenable
position for Italy. The powers who form
the triple alliance took into account in the
interests of Italy the necessity for con-
stantly maintaining friendly relations with
Great Britain, but in the event of an Anglo
German conflict Italy would not be the only
one in a delicate position. Austria, having
relations of cordial nature with Great
Britain dating further back than those of
Italy, would also be preoccupied. Friend
ship with Great Britain had been the con-
slant basis of Austrias policy since the
eighteenth century.
Must Avert Conflict.
1T was in the supreme interest of both
Italy and Austria to do everything posi-
BILE to prevent an Anglo-German conflict,
and this places them to the fore in faciltat-
ing the movement which seemed likely to
bring about a rapprochement between their
ally, Germany. and their friend, Great Brit
ain This movement had the support of all
the eminent statesmen in Germany and
Great Britain, whose opinions had been pub
licly expressed, which was a certain index
from which to judge present relations be-
tween the two nations and also to predict
future developments. That the relations
between Great Britain and Germany were
improving could be seen in many incidents,
including the recent meeting between King
Edward and Emperor William
1T was not true that Germany had asked
Italy to assist her in preventing the inter-
vention of other powers at the Algeciras
conference. He did not wish to dwell upon
the passing clouds at Algeciras, as Chan
cellor Won Buelows statements had done
away with the necessity of any discussion,
showing that Italys agreements with
France did not conflict with her ohliga-