The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-27

- post of Ambassador at Rome Is
of exceptional importance. not
only on account of the fact that as
former Chancellor Of the German EN-
pire he for a number Of years directed
its foreign policy, but also because he
is far and away the most able Of Teuton
diplomatists, towering above them all
by head and shoulders. This may be
considered faint praise in view OF the
particularly sorry showing which they
have made in recent years. For 1t is
owing to their aggressive bungling. to
their foolish intrigues to their tactless-
ness in sntagonizing instead of con-
cliatng and to their general lack Of
perspicacity which led them to furnish
their sovereign and their Government
with Incorrect Information that Ger
many now finds the greater part OF the
civilized world arrayed in arms against
her in a titanic conflict that must ulti-
mately result in her defeat.
Still another reason why Prince Bue-
lows appointment to the German Am
bassadorshlp, at Rome is deserving of
attention is because he has a more ex-
tensive acquaintance with Italian poll
tics, Italian conditions and the Italian
people generally than any other German
in official life. obtained In the many
years that he has spent In the Eternal
City, first as attache and secretary,
afterward as Ambassador and since his
retirement from the Chancellorship as
permanent resident OF the Italian
metropolis Moreover, his clever and
still wonderfully fascinating wife Is
Sicilian, a sister Of Senator Prince
Camporeale.
Her mother. Dona Laura Minehetti,
is the widow of that Italian statesman
and Premier who was responsible for
Italy's original inclusion in the Triple
Alliance. and her salon in Rome has
enjoyed for the last forty years inter-
national fame and IL centre OF very
powerful and far reaching influence
Dona Laura. with her daughter. Prin-
cess Buelow. and the latter's husband,
now reappointed to his former post of
Ambassador to Italy, forms very
powerful pro-German combination on
the banks of the Tiber and II will be
well to keep an eye on them and on
their activities. since the latter will
furnish the best clue TO the real trend
or Germanys foreign poicy-far more
so than any indication from Berlin.
AS for the object of Prince Buelow's
reappointment to the German Ambas-
sadorship at Rome il is so obvious as
to need but little explanation. As
every one is aware. popular sentiment in
Italy is very strongly and indeed over
whelmingly I'm favor OF a participate
by the kingdom in the conflict on the
side of the Allies against Germany and
Austria. Italy has already received
plenty OF warnings in the English,
French and Russian press that IL she
continues tn hold aoof from the fray
she cannot expect to receive any share
in the spOils of victory, and that should
Austria and Germany be defeated with
out her assistance Trieste and all the
remainder of the Italian speaking
provinces Of the dual empire-Itaia
1rredenta- would be awarded to Servia
IN recognition of the sacrifices which
she has made in connection with the
present war.
The Italians have taken these warn
ings to heart, as also the arguments of
the English. French and Russian news
papers that no matter whether Italy
continues TO remain neutral or sides
with the coalition against Germany
neither the latter nor yet Austria. will
ever forgive or forget her refusal to
draw her sword in their behalf in
August last as a fellow member of the
Triple Alliance. There seems to he a
general impression that II the Govern
ment at Rome has thus far resisted
popular pressure and has adhered to a
neutral policy it is because time was
required for the completion of the neces-
sary naval and military preparations.
and that, moreover, it would be prefer
able to postpone any participation in
the fray until next spring, 80 az to
avoid the hardships and the heavy cost
in life and treasure Of winter cam
paiEn
That Prince Buelow will succeed in
winning over King Victor Emmanuel
and his Government to such an extent
as TO lead them to cspouse the cause Of
Germany and Of Austria is not for one
moment believed even at Berlin. What
the Kaiser does hope, however. is that
Buelow viii manage To prevail upon
Italy to refrain from joining the Powers
of tho Triple Entente.
So long as Italy does not fight for
her former allies the next best thing
for them is that she should remain neu-
trail For in the first place IL would
avert the necessity OF Austria and Ger
many having to despatch large armies
10 defend their southern frontiers
against Italian invasion. And then too,
they feel that on the restoration or
peace, when even the Victorious Powers
VIII lie exhausted by the war Italy. II
she has remained a!oof with her mil
itary. naval and financial resources un-
impaired, will he in position to eXer-
else weighty influence as a mediator, In
securing more favorable terms for the
vanquishcd, that Is, for Germany and
for Austria, than they could otherwise
hope to obtain.
Prince l}uclow was a secretary OF the
German Embassy in Paris when | first
made his acquaintance in 1873, and dur
Ing the following three years | saw a
great deal If him on and off, in the Rue
oc Lille and elsewhere We often
llachcd and d.nod together as the
guests of Gnmhctta when the latter was
chairman OF the Parliamentary Budget
-:.!tt"c, afi'rward President of tn,
Chamber of Deputies, and then Premier
and finally when he was in quasi-re-
dromont al his house in the Rue st
D.d.cr
II Was with the full sanction and ap.