Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-28
ITALY'S INTEREST IN THE BALKANS

the Berlin congress on this oriental
route and Austria unwittingly accepted
the ungraclouS and unwelcome gift.
Germany, Austria and Italy are not the
only powers which have bitten at this
oriental bait. France. England and Rus
STA nave bitten at the same hook. France
took over the Catholic protectorate. Eng
land exercised her maritime supremacy
Russia, whose goal was. Constantinopie
although set back by the treaty of Berlin.
has never lost hope, but Still dreams OF
passing the Bosphorus.
In 1897 Russia concluded an entente
with Austria. which, as We have seen,
created considerable noise in the diplo-
matte world. From the accord at Murz-
steg. which followed that of 1897. Italy
was given the appointment of Gen. de
Giorgis. who was charged by the powers
with the reorganization of the gendarmerie
in Macedonia. which was fiattering to
to Italian influence. The real masters in
Macedonia were Russia. Engian and
France. whose ambassadors at CONSTANT
nople had the ear OF the sultan. Italy's
interests i'm the Adriatic provinces in AL
bania and EpiruS were dominated by Aus
tria. Bulgaria meanwhile was won over
to the dual monarchy. During this time
Germany acquired an important place at
YildiZ Kiosk, while the influence OF
the French and Italian ambassadors. NJ
overshadowed by that of the German am
bassador Baron Marshall. Under such
circumstances Italy could do nothing.
Italy had always and by tradition been
united to England. but England had lost
her influence and had been supplanted
by Germany. The policy of Germany at
Constantinople was Bagdad and the con-
struction of the famous Bagdad railway.
whose present terminus was the Persian
gulf, but whose future terminus was
India.
Italy's policy was consequently a policy
of laisse faire. but in such policy what
shocks to her national
Italy's pride. An author in the
pol;or Nuova Antologia writes:
There is no nation in
Europe which may not have its provinces
to reclaim on the basis of common lam
guage and historic rights; but when a ma
ton is constituted and possesses a suff-
cient territory in which to exercise its
action it does not make a strip of land
the pivot of it's foreign policy
Notwithstanding the Nuova Antologia.
large part of the Italian nation has re-
manned attached to this strip of land,
which is Trentin and Trieste, and the fact
remains that it has become chasm be-
tween Italy and Austria. and is a per-
petuaI menace not only to the peace be-
tween Italy and Austria. but also to the
peace of Europe.
When the project of the railroad was
formulated by the Baron d'Aehrenthal
across the Sandjak of Novi-BaZar italian
public opinion was excited. Nj. Tittoni
endeavored to redssure the public. DC
tober 8, the day after the proclamation
of the independence of Bulgaria. in
speech at Casate Brianza he resumed
his habitual arguments, according to his
optimism.
NJ. Tittoni was interpellated in the
chamber December 4. 1905 on the subject
of -Austro-Italian relations arising from
the brawls at Vienna between Italian and
Austrian students. The minister. reply
ing, justified his Austrophile policy. AS
we know, it was due to the intervention
of M. Giolitt. president of the council.
and also to the speech of NJ. Fusinato,
that the chamber was wheeled about
from an overwhelming disavowal to an
approval by vote of 297 against 40. The
keynote was to maintain or disayow the
triple alliance. and NJ Giolitti. NJ Son
nino and NJ. Fusinato, as well as NJ. Tit
toni. are still partisans of the triple al
lance which binds Italy to Austria-Hun-
gary.
4. :.
NJ. Tittoni offered the salve that when
the conference met to solve the oriental
crisis Italy would demand
Future the suppression OF article
p.,ds % and the modification of
article 90 Of the treaty
of Berlin. both of which were hostile to
Italian interests.
The author OF the article in Questions
Diplomatiques ct Coloniales remarks that
cit is a miracle that until now war has
not arisen between Vienna and COnstan-
tinople or between Vienna and Belgrade.
Since October NJ. Isvolsky. In an in
terview published by the Temps. made
the following declarations: 1.-The double
violation of the treaty of Berlin (procla-
nation of Bulgarias independence and
the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by
Austria) cannot be admitted by Europe
without an abdication. That abdication
Russia, for her part, will not sanction.
Europe assembled has only the right to
undo what Europe has DONE"
The rupture of Austria and Russia was
the consequence OF the policy Of Baron
d'Aehrenthal; the rapprochemen& OF Italy
King Victor Emmanuel was the last to
reply to the autograph letter Of Emperor
Francis Joseph, who informed che king or
the annexation OF Bosnia-HerZegovina
The emperor's letter was dated October
3: that of the king was dated November
TO- The emperor was In the habit GER
tainly of receiving more courtesy from
his ally. A few days later the announce
mcQL OF the SlSllLtS u GIL AldilO-AeuSSidh
treaty explained Victor Emmanuel's tardy
response: Italy ceased to be the ally of
Austria in the Balkans; Italy had become
the ally of Russia.
1t is whispered in diplomatic circles that
the understanding between Rome and
St Petersburg is something more than an
understanding. and that a secret treaty
has been signed. The Stampa has given
this impression. and it afi1rms that at the
conference Italy will be found on the side
of Russia and openly against Austria
Russophilism. besides. has made rapid
progress IN Italy, not only because of
political rapprochement, but also from
the grand devotion and services rendered
by Russian sailors in the recent horrible
disasters in Sicily. Italian socialists who
have until now opposed the visit OF the
car to Rome are ready to welcome
Nicholas II with enthusiasm
Like Italy and Russia, England and
France have disapproved of Austrian pol
Icy in the Balkans. Baron d'Aehrenthal
has no ally except Prince Won BueloW.
who is not an enthusiast and who under
the circumstances is taciturn and almost
Indifferent.
Austria Il Actually in the Balkans in q