Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-21
THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE WEAKENED

The war of words which Is being
waged just now between the journals OF
Vienna, Berlin and Rome
Breakup is an indication that the
affairs of the triple alli-
ance are going from bad
to worse, and that a breakup in that
family is imminent. The Nuova Anto-
logia. the principal review in Italy, in its
February number describes Italy's polit-
zeal situation from the Italian point OF
view and formulateS three principal
grievances against Austria-the annexa-
ton Of Bosnia Herzegovina. Austria's at
titude after the riots between students
at Vienna and the creation of an italian
law college at Vienna in place of the
hoped-for university at Trieste.
The author of the article in the Nuova
Antologia develops the grievances Of his
Italian compatriots on various subjects
and points to the growing animosity
against Austria, which has developed
into animosity against the triple alliance.
To-day why should we keep silent?''
asks the author. I'm what way does
the triple alliance benefit Italy? In OBJ
serving Austrian policy we may acquire
the conviction that Austria acts as if
it were quite Indifferent to her whether
Italy was part or not of the triplice.
If this feeling is shared al Berlin. then
the moment has come to denounce this
pact which Crispi terms a marriage of
interest and which might have become a
marriage of sympathy"
Germany has shown Indifference to
these just reclamations. and a German
journal finds it grotesque that NJ. Tit
tom should be asked to resign because
of question concerning the interior
policy of a foreign nation.
The German newspapers comment with
marked bitterness upon what they de-
nounce as simplicity in Italy's preten-
sions to interfere with Austria's interior
affairs.
The Secolo Of Milan writes: "It is time
TO change the route. 1t is time to come to
a radical decision. To undertake to pro-
long by some days or months the life OF
the triplice by artificial respiration or In
iectfons OF caffeine is ruinous loss of
time which compromises our most vital
interests. What are we waiting for?'
The Temps of January 81 contains an
article on Italy and Austria which has
aroused considerable feel
France ing in the press of Italy.
which accuses France, as
manifested in the article
in the Temps, of GOODNESS and indiffer-
ence. The Temps wrote:
These quarrels are affairs which be-
long to the triplice family and do not in
terest France except by their repercus-
sion. We are not to be consulted. We
occupy a situation in Europe which is
satisfactory. We do not dream of en-
circling' or fsolating' any one. If there
are people not far from us who are i'll as
sorted we will not go to them to renew
the famous scene of the doctor in spite
of himself Nothing would be more silly
or more imprudent than for us to mix our
selves in the rows which happen outside
of our windows. We are spectators. and
we propose to remain such"
The Tribuna of Rome and the Mattino
of Naples reproach the Temps for it's cold
ness. In the first place. these two jour
nails, according to the Temps which re-
plies February in an article entitled
France. Italy, AUSTRIA are not friendly
to France. But in any event France has
no part to take in this family quarrel. The
Temps has avoided any suggestion con-
trary to the dignity of Italy and has fully
and amicably respected her liberty of
action.
Read again. says the Temps. the
seances of the Italian chamber in De-
vi.
NJ. Tittoni were one after another ap-
plauded. NJ. Forts launched against Aus
tria and against the triplice a forfnida-
BILE arraignment. The entire chamber
howled with joy. The next day the same
chamber, including NJ. Forts, approved
NJ. Tittoni. who expressed sympathy for
the triplice! The Temps would not re-
proach the Italian chamber with such
manifestations-such things happen to all
parliaments. But it is not possible to alb
stain from meditating upon the lesson it
conveys.
Italy, it is plain, is not in love with the
triplice. but she remains. Italy has no
longer sympathy with the
Italy'S powers of central Europe.
but prefers those of
western Europe. Between
these radical solutions she hesitates to
act. she tacks and conciliates. 1t is her
right to do SO. But it is a reason why
France should not appear as inviting
her to do something she is not ready to
do. France should not be more Italian
self to the charge of meddling with things
that do not concern her. France is a
friend of Italy, but she feels that she
would be guilty of lacking in one of the
duties OIL IrleHuSHlp II she ala not respect
Italy'S liberty, il only the right to refiec-
ton and to hesitation.
M. Francis Charmes, in the Revue des
DeuX Mondes, raises corner of the cur
tain which concerns the triple alliance
He cites the fact that Austria, having OBJ
tanned the acquiescence Of the porte to the
possession of Bosnia-H Herzegovina may
ask the powers to what they object
On the other hand, the taking has
raised claims on all sides. among these
Servia and Montenegro: Servia more than
any other. because Austria's act would
seem to take from Servia forever the hope
of her patriotism. Montenegro is on the
sea in contracted conditions, but she may
breathe. Servia is encirced. and when
this unhappy country cried out that size
was being strangled, 1t was a fact. At
the present moment we have seen. it
is Italy which has arisen against Austria
not against Austria alone, but against
the triple alliance.
In Italy Nj. Tittoni is accused of having
been duped. deceived and rdiculed by
Baron dAehrenthal. who promised many
things in exchange for Bosnia HerZe-
govina, but gave nothing. NJ. Charmes
sympathizes with Italy in her rage, but
what about Austria. whom it is proposed
for fact TO dismember? Austria would
willingly establish a university of Italian
Italian law students. That is not how
ever the case 1t is in reality to give to
''irredentism' an arm which would be
quickly turned against Austria. who nat
urally heSitates. Austria has promised
things to NJ Tittoni. but at the moment,
when asked TO deliver the goods, she
throws Italy off on a wrong scent. And
NJ. Charmes adds:
There are not today two countries in
H. 1T Il -, AL,