Evening star., 1909-06-27

The visit Of Emperor William to Brin-
disi and Vienna was inspired by the
necessity of Strengthening
Williams the very fran tie that binds
Italy and Austria. An un-
sAoiI' fortunate incident. the re-
fusal of Baron Won Aehrenthal to accept
Italy's invitation to Austria to partici-
pate in the exposition of fine arts. which
is to commemorate Italian unity at Rome
and Turin in 1911. has efaced the good
effect of the official interviews ana
caused old wounds to bleed afresh Italy
is in i'll humor.
Hungary, too, is in ill humor. Former
ly the kaiser was very kind and gra-
cious toward the Magyars, but since the
Austro-German coup in the matter oi
Servia and the annexation of Bosnia
Herzegovina all is changed. Bes1oes
was not Hungary assured that Bosnia
and Herzegovina, when annexed. shouia
be joined to Hungary" Hungary is rag
ing smad against Austria. There are
thus two members of the triplice who
may be classed as irreconciable macon
tents, Italy and Hungary.
The National Review in it's latest po-
litical summary mentions the TerHiai'
eInperor's efforts to soothe the lrrlta-
1
purpose and emphasize their newly ac-
quired authority in European. questions
Emperor William and Emperor Francis
Joseph, on the formers arrival in Vienna,
May II, sent the following joint tele-
gram to King Victor Emmanuel:
Our meeting affords us fresh occasion
to greet our august ally and friend. and
to address to him cordial expression oi
our unalterable friendship"
Under the circumstances the King oil
Italy, who recalls the caustic reference
Of the kaiser to Italy's 'unfaithfulness
at Algeciras, may exclaim in the words
of Racine that he had neither meriteo
that excess of honor nor that injustice
Nevertheless King Victor replied
Il am very grateful to your naJesty
who has, with the emperor. our JOINT
ally and friend, SO kindly sent me the
expression of his unaiterable friendship
This friendship is very dear to me. and
1 assure your majesty that 1t is sincere
ly and fully reciprocated.
Such Is the language of diplomacy
which is defined tersely as the Science
OF interests
Meanwhile the effervescence in Italy
has been augmented rather than dimin-
ished. Austria's refusal to
italian participate in the conmem-
orative exposition in 1911
Eeinen'' included also, and for SEN
timental reasons, the ceremonies held at
Solferino, June "a, in honor of the ltal-
ian soldiers who fell at Solferino In 1859.
The Austrian government. however, In
view of the adverse criticisms of the
Austrian press, changed its mind Snd
Count do Lubzofs, it's ambassad0r at
Rome, was instructed to assist officially
at the ceremonies.
Because Of the tension in the Nrela-
tions Of Italy and Austria and tha cer-
tain independence of action which tnar-
acterized the policy of Baron Won Aeh-
renthal, Austria's abstention was ot
altogether unexpected. Informed a. Year
ago Of the fetes and the assumed par
ticipation Of the Austrian government.
Baron Won Aehrenthal replied to~&s
Duke d'Avarna. negatively. " had
been decided" said the Austrian minis
ter, that Austria-Hungary would not
participate officially for an indefinite
reason of the little enthusiasm of her
industrial subjects" In truth, the Aus
trian government did not care to take
part in what was to 1t Calvary. Cele-
brate the conquest Of Lombardy, the
annexation Of Venice, the absorption of
the occupation Of Rome! Austria could
not submit to such humiliation. The
response of Baron Won Aehrenthal was
kept secret, being divulged only few
days ago.
The news created as much emotion in
awoke the latent hostility which, it
may he remarked, is as intensely racial
as national. 1t was another incident
added to the Sandjak railway in che
Balkans, the annexation of Bosnis :
Herzegovina and the refusal to permit
the establishment of an Italian uni
versity at Trieste. Besides, Italy saw
in Austria's decision another form OF
protestation against Rome capital of
Italy. Francis Joseph / had never con-
sented to visit the King of Italy in
Rome. It was certain he would never
change. and 1t was equally certain tha.
the archduke, heir to the throne, Fran
els Ferdinand. more strictly Catholic
than his uncle, would follow his policy.
The personal relations between the two
sovereign families were destined, there
fore, to become more and more distant.
The maritime armaments of Austria
also. in disproportion with her interests
in the Adriatic, was an
Austria's other source Of Italian
uneasiness. Finally the
AS"Sy' military measures adopt
L
are OF such a nature that they denote
rather preparations for invasion than
precautions for defense. The period of
commemoration of historical events,
battles and annexations is calculated
to envenom and embitter the relations
that already, perhaps, are past mend
ing.
The Austrian press, the semi-oficial
included mas violently criticised the
attitude OF the government at Vienna.
The Zeit remarks that it would cause
the loss of all the efforts which had
been made to establish friendly relations
between Vienna and Rome. The Nou-
velle Presse would live with the living
and 60 forward with the strong
The official organs of Ballplatz FOUND
difficulty in justifying the government $
refused They based their defense on
the ground that the Italian invitation
was an act of simple courtesy. and that
the cabinet of Rome did not expect them
transmitting the invitation, insinuated
so much, he would have translated wnat
was In the minds of some political men
who foresaw that the presence of Aus
trians at the fetes in 1911 would be EN-
barraSsing.
Now, for a fact, the Austro-Hungarian
monarchy Is no longer what 1t was in
1859. It Is composed actually of two
parties, which were pitted against each
other in 1S4S when the Austrian Field
Marshal Radetsky conquered Charles
Albert at Novare in 1S49. In 1889 the
Mayxars were heart and soul with the