The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-06-05

MIDDLE GROUND
TAKEN BY ITALY
Friendly to British Peace Pro-
posalS, but Remains True to
the Triple Alliance.
Won BUEL0W AT RAPALL0
CONFERENCE WITH THE FOR
EIGN MINISTER.
Won BUEL0W AT RAPALLO

Rome, June 1.-The situation of Italy at
the second Hague conference, and espe-
ciaily her attitude in connection with the
limitation OF ornaments, has a peculiar
Importance because no other country is so
directly affected by the struggle for su-
premacy which is going among the
leading European powers.
Germany and Austria exact the support
of Italy because she is their ally under
the triple alliance, England because of the
affinity of their views and their tradi-
tional friendship, and France because of
the commercial and economic interests
binding them.
Tittoni's First Impulse.
The people and government here have
always followed with interest and approv-
al every move tending to abolish or at
tional army conflicts. The Italian min
lister of foreign affairs, Signor Tittoni.
was strongly influenced at the outset by
his previous service as Italian ambaSSa-
dor at London. While there he had heard
the statement of the British premier. Sir
Henry Campbell-Bannerman. in favor of
reduction of ornaments, and later the
official announcement by Sir Edward
Grey favoring diminution of military ex-
penses. When, a few weeks later, Tit
toni was recalled TO become minister OF
foreign affairs, he announced to the
chamber of deputies that, as foreign min
lister, he adhered to the humanitarian
British ideas which, as ambassador he
had previously approved in London. He
added: The government will give its
representatives to The Hague the mis-
sion to support and second the English
initiative"
Alarm at Berlin.
This declaration awakened considerable
apprehension at Berlin. where it was
pointed out that Italy, although a mem
Der of the triple alliance, was pursuing a
policy which the other members of the
triple alliance, Germany and Austria, op-
posed.
The situation suddenly changed as
consequence of q meeting between Signor
Tittoni and the German chancellor, Prince
Won BuelOW, at Rapallo The two states
snen were together nearly three hours,
entirely alone and without notes being
taken of their conversation, so that there
is no evidence as to the arguments dealt
with From what has leaked out from
different quarters, il seems, however that
Prince Won Buelow, although acknowl-
edging that the situation of Italy was del
tcate and difficult, and that Signor Tit
toni was very able in steering the shoals
complained that the Italian government
whenever a question of International char
Rcter arose. did not think it necessary to
show united front with the other men,
bers of the triple alliance.
Grounds for Complaint.
Several instances were cited to support
TINS contention, beginning with the Gre
tan questiOn.-in which Italy joined Rus
STA. France and England while Germany
and Austria refused to enter the group of
the protectors of that island and ending
with the still sore subject of the Alge-
clras conference, where. according to
Germany, Marquis Nisconti Venosta and
Henry White. with the greatest diplo-
matte tact, ended by isolating Berlin and
Vienna
At the time of the Rapano meeting. it
was reported that Mr.. White. who had
just gone as American ambassador to
Paris a few weeks before, had the mis-
sion to bring France around to the views
OF America and England with regard 10
the limitation or ornaments, which would
have meant again the isolation of Ger
many and Austria.
Middle Course Plain.
The arguments of Prince Won BueIow
were not without weight from the point
of view of an ally to an ally, so that Tit
toni had the idea of a middle course.
which would save the susceptibilities of
all powers concerned. by proposing sucn
a procedure in the discussion of the linn
ftation of ornaments as to be acceptable
to all. Prince Won Buelow agreed so
Immediately after his return to Rome
Tittoni made to the great powers the
proposition which he thought would set
tie the matter, but unfortunately 1t was
not accepted. not only by England and
the United States (the answer of Secre-
tary Root being cOuched in very court
e0us terms), but by Germany herself It
appears that Prince Won Buelcw had mis-
understood the proposition when laid be-
fore him at Rapallo
italy's Final Stand
The struggle which had been going on
TO secure Italy's support finally led to
Signor Iittonis statement IN the cham
Der OF deputies May 10. This may be
taken as Italys final stand and in sub
stance 1T reflects a, conservative middle
course, by which Italy maintains her
friendly attitude m prit
proposals. and at the same time renews
her loyalty to Germany and Austria by
sharing their reservations on the imprac-
ticability of the immediate realization of
the British plan.
while 1 today reaffirm," said Signor
Tittoni 1.-THE statement that the Italian
government is in sympathy with the most