New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-06
Italy and the Bernhardi- Bethmann'
Hollwes Theory of Treaties.

of p1per' find themselves driven into some very
awkward corners Bernhard, foreSceins the de
STABILITY Of violating Belgian neutrality in case Of
war with France laid down in his book. Germany
and the Next War" the principle that treaties may
he ignored whenever it is convenient 10 ignore
of its own action" BethmannIIollweg,
finding that Great Britain was going to make
caxus bcij of the Ke>er's reputation of his treaty
obligations regarding Belgium bitterly reproached
The British government for going to war with Ger
many over mere form of language.
In order to excuse an act of bad faith toward
Belgium and toward the other powers which joined
with Prussia in guaranteeing Belgiums neutrality
and independence most partiSanS Of Germany have
been willing to adopt Beruhardi's theory as the
last word in international law But when Italy
failed 10 conStrue the treaty on which the Triple
Alliance rested as ObGing her To 90 to the support
If Germany and Austria Hungary Bernhard and
the Belgian precedent were pretty generally over
looked in the first flush Of the excitement. The
Kaiser is credited with having sent this message
to the King Of Italy: Germany successful or de.
featcd will never forget your pcridy." The mes
sage is probably apocrypha hut it represents what
was and is. the general feeling il
Germany. Il was the natural. instructive recoil
from policy which seemed to put selfish national
interest above the fidelity expected of an ally.
The Kaiser would have been pardonable if h"
Italy even at the cost Of exhibiting thereby glar
ing inconsistency. II is only human nature to be
inconsistent when a bad example comes home 10
roost Yet il is interesting to see that there are
some German iuriScOnsus above such weakness.
\ perusal Of the Hon Herman Riders war column
in the "Staats-Zeitung" would seem to show that
lardi scrap Of paper" theory and is willing TO
apply it even in a case in which it worked enor-
nously to Germanys disadvantages Mr.. Edder
hews his osic stemly to the line let the chips fall
where they may, when he says
The terms of the treaty that underlying the Triple
Alliance were plain enough. They required that
italy JON forces with Germany and Austria IN the
present war, just during the whole life OF the
document they had required such service in the case
ci any European coalition against one or more OF
The allies. By every sane Interpretation OF the
treaty Italy was called upon to throw her lot with
those who for over thirty years had stood ready
TO do the same for her. And yet | say Italy was
PC rfecty justified in declining to do
Italy wanted the potential fruits of the Triple
Alliance much did Austria or Germany. She
1eaped her share of them. The time arrived, how
Nchp
by a powerful combination, the outcome of which
highly predetermined. Italy had only am en-
.angling alliance" to draw her into it. She did the
wise thing, and kept out In doing so she consulted
not her promises they stood IN black and white
over the signatures of her penipoentares, but her
own present interests. THESE lay with peace rather
than with war The right OF choice was gwen her
hv every rule of international conduct, hlstorical
and present, and she exercised II Tor the good oil
Italy.
We do not think that Italy will be conplimentei
hv being thus singled out for praise an en-
,husiastic convert to the Bernhard philosophy.
She has all along conended that she did not break
her treaty with Germany aud Austria Hungary.
If that treaty provided for defensive alliance as
Italy says it does she apparently adhered TO il in
letter il not in spirit In the punitive expedition
against Seryia Austria. Hungary took the aggres-
SNe. she Also dCltu III SeCItl - ldI rs lldIN WAS
concerned since neither in Berlin nor in Vienna has
il ever been claimed that Italy was consulted about
the terms Of the high handed ultimatum to Servia.
The Italian government could not have approved
the utimatum. aud that was a sufficient reason
for the failure of the other two allies 10 take Italy
into their confidence Austria Hungary declared
war on Servia in disregard Of ltalyS wishes and
interests. aud that declaration lcd within a few
DAYS to Germany'S declaratot,> Of war ON Russia
and France
Technically and loo reality the war was an
offensive one on the part Of \ustria-Huusary and
Germany, and the laundering diplomacy Of Vienna
aud Berlin left Italy absolutely free from any oh
legation to 90 TO the support Of her allies. The
opinion of the world has not held her culpablc of
Il breach Of faith in declaring her neutrality. and
she would probably Scorn to indor>e the sinister
apology for her inaction now offered by Mr. Ridder
and the other BeruhardiStS.
Some skcptics who stud, that apology will he
disposed to think that it is merely intended to
impugu naIfs houor while apploudius her alleged