New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-02
Italy Now Has to Choose Between
Drifting and Acting.

eleut evidence that ltlllan Statesmen low iehIi@V
that Italy cannot adhere much longer TO the policy
OF drifting. The government at Rome has uu-
doubtedly Jagged behind public sentiment in trying
10 preserve the attitude of strict neutrality which
it adopted at the beginning of the European war.
That attitude has made the people OF Italy impa-
ticot. since they recognize that their natural az
fllution in the great European struggle is with
Great Britain, Trance and Russia, aud since they
feel iustincivey that their national uerests can
Lot be barnlcpized at auy poDt With the national
interests OF Austria Hungary.
United Italy was created ut the expense of the
Austrian oppressor 1t was Austria which kept
the Italian states weak divided and in subsection.
Only the breahin: Of the Austrian power enabled
CaYour aud Victor Emmanuel 10 re-establish Italy
as nation. And the process Of reconstruction is
still incomplete 90 long Us Austria Hungary holds
TreDtino aud Trieste aud controls the eastern
shore Of the Adriauc
taly, as a whole. is eager to redeem her alienat
Cd yet still loyal provinces. But the states
men who control her policy have been figuring on
The question Of cost and wondering whether Ita!y
could not again induce other nations 10 fgbt her
battles and through their favor acquire new terri
tory which would otherwise he purchased at too
great Il sacrifice. France fought Austria Hungary
in 1859, recovered Loubardy for Victor Emmanuel
aud enabled the latter to incorporate Naples and
the middle Italian states iuto his kingdom Prus-
sa defeated Austria-H ungary i'll 1856 and forced
the restoration 10 Italy Of Ncnetia. The Franco
German War of 1910 allowed Victor Emmanuel to
occupy Rome. The union Of Italy was due more
TO foreign ala than 70 internal effort 1t is only
natural therefore Tor Italian statesmen, studying
the fortunate condolences OF the past to speculate
OH the possibility Of smother territorial vndfall
following u war ia which Italy had been of some
negative service to the winners By remaining ueu-
iral
Tue policy of neutrality has been based on the
theory that it might bring certain gains without
tbc cost and losses Of actual fighting. In recent
article by Signor Marco de Albertis in the "RiySta
Politica Parliamentary" reproduced in "Thc Ro-
man Review of October = this interesting forecast
was made Of tie changes i'm The map Of Europe
likely to follow the present war. If Germany aud
Austria hungary should win: savoy. Nice and
Corsica to Italy as the reward Of her neutrality
which. If it has helped Frauce and her Allies. has
not less helped the Two central powers II Great
Britain, France aud Russia should win: "Ihc COS
in az h.. of Tro~ twin
err Dalmatia and tie islands adjaccut TO Italy
which helped the Allies 50 greatly Icy her neutral
iy.'
Tuis beautiful plan 81 playing middle against
both ends must have recommended itself highly to
mauy Of tue political leaders at Rome Such Iii
plomacy Of equilibrium would be 10 novelty there,
since Italy has Known how TO balance the Triple
Alliance. of which she was member against the
Triple Euteote, Of Which she was cordial well
wisbcr She obtsiDed free hand TO auucx Trpoli
by securing 10 advance the approval Of Great Brit
ain aud France aud then compelling the unwilling
acquescence Of Germany aud Austria.Huugary,
diced through war Of spoliaiiou waged by mem.
Der Of the Triple .Nliauce against Turkey, the
Triple Alliances chief satellite aud protegt.
Undoubtedly the Cabinet which has just gone out
Of Office has worked 10 quiet tie natural antago
nism of the Italian people TO Austria. Hungary and
10 steer clear OF complications which would drag
Italy into the 1t is evident that preparations
Tor war have been mace only halfbeartedly and
that the gorrumeut sdn SHRUBS from taking Up
the burdens, financial aud other. which vur would
saddle upon il. But e1cuts are breaking down tuis
attitude Of cautious detachment Tue eutry OF
Turkey into tue conflict ilDpers talys interests il
the Essteru Mediterranean aud makes iuacti,ity
more than ever policy of iinprudeucc.
Italy can hardly afford TO abstain from, Il coudict
which will raise the question of disposiug Of Al
bauia aud partitioning Asia Minor The hope OF
Cunning Savoy, Nice and Corsica iD case Germany.
Austria Hungary aud Turkey win is no offset to
fbc hope Of bcucltius from further dismember
meut Of the Turkish Empire. To accept spos at
the cost Of France and Great britain would only
la, t Law ,tp 1lcy ocrasiOus for war willie 10 slIarc