New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-16
POWERS AT THE HAGUE.
ATTITUDE EXPLAINED.
Signor Tittoni Tells Results Of
Recent Discussions.

Rome, May 1.-THE attitude of Italy at the
peace conference At The Hague was defined in
the Chamber Of Deputies to-day by the Foreign
Minister Signor Tittoni. The house was
crowded. among those IN he diplomatic gallery
being the American Ambassador, Mr.. Griscom
In brief. signor Tittoni said that the Italian
government was in favor of limitation of ar
rnanents. and would even take part in a dis
cussion of The question The Hague. but the
government agreed with the Austro-German
reservation on the subject. because of the diff
Guilty in finding a practical. acceptable solution
of the problem involved.
The Foreign Minister said that the British
government had not yet adopted a concrete
formula to be proposed to the conference. and
that its plan. if not considered acceptable by
the great powers, would be dropped, thus post
poning q discussion of the question without
causing resentment. Nobody could deny that
the British point Of view prudent and wise.
Those who spoke of the question embar-
RAISING the position of Italy showed that they
had q fantastic idea of the coming conference
Were il possible to find a practical method for
insuring limitation Of ornaments without in
5uring the interests Of any state, and without
placing any of them in a condition OF inferi-
ority to others, Germany and Austria would
agree to it. but they did not believe this 10 be
possible. and therefore they would not take part
IN the discussion. WOULD not De DOunQ Dy tne
decisions reached. and would preserve the most
complete liberty of action. The speech Of the
German Chancellor, Prince Bulow. in the
Reichstag on April 3. and the statement made
by the British Premier al Manchester on May 9,
had brought the powers considerably nearer a
solution Of the difficulty. The minister added:
Perhaps the British Premier has said his last
word on the subject, l believe that all will
agree that the question is difficult OF solution
and should be reserved for the future. There
fore, while l to-day reaffirm the statement that
the Italian government is in sympathy with the
most noble objects which suggested the broad
minded British initiative, we fully agree with the
Austro- German reservations on the subject OF
the impossbility Of Immediately finding prac-
teal, acceptable solution for the problem in
volved Between the points of view OF Chan
cellor BUlow, Baron Won Aehrenthal ana
myself there is no substantial diference- Inc
only difference is in regard TO the procedure.
They prefer not to take part in discussion or
the limitations Of ornaments, TO await the results
of such a discussion, if il lakes place. and ex-
anime and decide them with full liberty of ac-
ton. I believe that Italy can even take part in
q discussion of the question and reserve to her
self the same liberty of examination and judg-
ment without involving any contradiction OF my
former statements. II there is any contradic-
ton there must also be contradictions between
the statements made in President Roosevelts
message to Congress. in his letter to The Ma
tional Arbitration and Peace Congress at New
York and in his speech at the opening or the
Jamestown exposition.
the proposed discussion of limitation of arma-
rnents are animated by a sincere desire to con-
ciliate high ideal aspirations with grave, prac-
teal difficulties
Previous % his statement on the attitude Of
italy at The Hague Signor Tittoni, in reply to
interpretations, aid:
Ny interviews with Prince Bulow at
RapolIa and with Sir Charles Hardinge at Gaeta
showed that Germany and Great Britain were
always DESTROYS of improving their relations and
of settling any difficulties in a friendly manner.
While Italy can remain loyal to her alliance
with one of those powers without diminishing
her friendship for the other, and without arous-
ing suspicious the part Of either OF those
powers, cur policy consists Of unwaVering 10y
atty 20 the Triple Alliance, sincere friendship for
Great Britain and France and cordial relations
with all the other powers.
The coming visit of the Austro Hungarian
Foreign Minister, Baron Won Aehrenthal. 10
Italy shows that the relations between Austria
and Italy excellent.
The British initiative in proposing a discus
sion Of the limitation of ornaments at The
Hague is only following the Russian initiative OF
1898. and there is no reason 10 believe that the
British proposition will cause a dangerous con-
hict among the powers In 1898 the Russian
Initiative failed because II was not found TO be
practical and acceptable. The situation has not
changed The attitude of the British govern
rnent absolutely excludes the possibility Of its
proposition for the discussion of the limitation
of ornaments causing friction among the
powers