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

I
foreign Ministers have from first to last
encountered this antagonism. not only
in mob outbreaks In the Trentino and
Venice, and even in Rome, but also In
the Tribune OF the Chamber of Depu-
| ties. "1rredentsm," hatred Of the Aus
TRAN, II bred in the bone and the blood
OF the Italians. Ii is a natural feeling,
quite understandable. so understand
able that even Americans who depre-
cate the corresponding hatred OF Eng
land among their own countrymen
rather approve of II and admire 1t in
Italy's case. We all have our incon-
sstencies. This Italian historical patri-
otism must be taken into consideration
| in all speculations concerning Italy's
future course In this war. The other,
the higher patriotism, may not he able
to control II. although, unless ! am
much mistaken, the Italian Govern
ment will II necessary employ force
to suppress II. For even to-day the
Kingdoms interests lie with Austria
Hungary. not with Russia. in the Bal
kans: with Germany. not with Eng
land and France, in the Mediterranean
and Asia Minor.
Is It likely that Italian statesman
ship. which has proved itself 80 far
|
kingdom entered upon It's foreign pol
icy--is II likely, / ask. that Italian
Craftsmanship will aid England ana
France to complete and seal her own
isolation in the Mediterranean. her own
exclusion from all voice in its control?
| doubt II. Ict that IL what would he
the inevitable practical result IL she
gave free rein TO Irredentist passion
and listened to the lures Of the Triple
| Entente and the advice of Germano-
pnobic neutras Already she finds her
self in the centre OF an Anglo French
! lake. with no place In the sun be-
| yond her own domain except the Tripo-
| l!tanian shorefront whose hinterland
| will cost her milliards before il will
make the slightest return. And Trip
oil she seized. as we we'll know he
cause she got wind Of secret CONVEX
sations between the British and French
governments concerning spheres OF in
fluence there with Russia predom-
nant in the Balkans her interests in
Albania would be worth no more - her
than to Austria-liungary herself And
a Russian advance through Asia Minor
to the coast would inevitably follow
What guarantee finally. would she
have with Germany and the Dual Mon
potence. that the two Governments
controlling the north Of Africa would
not AZ some near date agree TO divide
her small share Of It as well?
These are such obvious consdera-
tions tina; l venture to repeat the pre-
d elton / made az the beginning Of
this war. that Italy will most proOahly
remain neutral til the end hut that,
II this becomes impossible. her lntor-
ests will counsel her TO fight. however
unwillingly, on the side OF her Old AL
les. A war OF revenge and conquest
against Austria would benefit not her
sell, but uiIe Triple Entente IN the BAL
kans and the Mediterranean.
She would. no doubt. get back her
italia Irre6enta"-the Trentino and
Trieste-but she would find them poor
compensation except from the senti-
mental. the historically patriotic point
OF view. This return TO the Italian flag
would. moreover. cost Trieste most
dearly Of all. for here there enters into
the matter a straight business consid-
Grafton with which the bankers mer-
chants. manufacturers and working
, men OF that city are perfectly familiar
With them. whatever their allegiance
at heart. however great their desire for
union Win ltdIy, u ~ question or
commercial life or death.
Trieste, as in we'll known, ts Austr!a's
one and only seaport. For fifteen years
the Austrian Government has fostered
its interests In every possible way Il
has enormously extended the cauac!ty
OF the harbor. and. what is more i. has
built railroad lines as far north as Ro-
hernia in order TO enable Trieste TO
compete successfully for the empires
export trade II subsidies steamship
| lines the Austrian Lloyd has its ship
yards there. and, OF course, the Aus
TRAN navy yards are maintained there.
The entire emisrant traffic of the EN-
pire has been officially diverted 10
! Trieste as the only point OF sailing:
and, furthermore, a great deal OF the
German trade with the Mediterranean
and India Is shipped from It's docks
Trieste Is prosperous; n has far sur
passed Venice In the bulk and the value
OF It's annual trade. and Il owes this
prosperity entirely 20 Austria as Aus
trials only port.
But, transferred TO the Italian flag.