Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-02
What Nation Next7

After Turkey what next? WIN
Italy await for you first my dear Al
fonso?" Or, will Greece grasp the OPP
portunity to square some old scores
with Turkey? How long can some or
all of these nations remain neutral!
Much interest in America attaches to
the attitude of Italy. In November
Review of Reviews, T. Lothrop Stod-
dard says:
The question now remains whether
Italy will remain neutral or Whetner
she will join the Allies. On the whole,
sound policy would seem to dictate
continuance of Italian neutrality. In
the first place neutral Italy occupies an
unrivaled, diplomatic position as the
one great European power free from
the scourge OF war; herself intact while
her neighbors are tearing one another
to pieces. Every day that passes
leaves italy both relatively and abso-
lutely stronger, and this increasing
prosperity will enable her to liquidate
the heavy Tripolitan legacy and TO al
lay that acute internal crisis which
only last June brought Hci WilAii GA
ace of the social revolution.
Again, it is difficult to see what
moral right Italy would have to begin
an unprovoked attack upon neigh
Dor still technically her ally. Those
Italians now clamoring for a war Of
spoliation against Austria would do
well to remember that national good
faith is not only a virtue but most
valuable political asset as well. A
wanton attack upon Austria would be
a diplomatic bankruptcy which would
ruin Italy's credit in the alliance
market of the world. OF course the
Allies would receive her with open
arms-yet with those mental reser-
vations always extended the traitor,
whether simple soldier or powerful ma
ton.
And then, disregarding all internal
or moral considerations, is it so GER
tain that Italian interests would be
best served by the entire overthrow of
Germany and Austria? It is quite
clear that Italy would expect nothing
less than Trentino, Trieste and AL.
bania, yet it is by no means so clear
that she would actually get the last
two. Trentino, Of course, would be
hers; this compact group of 100000
Italians just across her border would
clash with no other allied interest. But
1t Is by no means impossible that Italy
will get Trentino by simply sitting still.
The loss of this bit of South Tyrol
would be no serious blow to Austria,
and it is not at all unlikely that Vienna
may agree to cede 1t as the price or
Italian neutrality.
Finally, looking at the larger politi-
cal and economic aspects of the
problem, is it SO certain that Italy's
future is bound up with the decisive
triumph of the Allies? Whatever else
the present war may signify, 1T means
as far as the Western protagonists are
concerned a struggle between con-
tented and disconnected powers;
grapple between nations largely salts
fed with the economic and colonial
present and nations which (come late
into the world) desire a larger place
In the SUM-" But Italy has also come
late into the world: she also desires
outlets for her products and her teem-
ing population; she also has her Ma
tionalists," whose calls for aggressive
foreign policies and complete race-re-
union are as imperious as those of the
most extreme section of the Pan
German league. True. Italy cannot
wish for decisive victory of those
Teutonic powers her keen rivals in thu,
past; nevertheless, it is doubtful
whether she should desire or further
that triumph of the Allies which will
fvet and perpetuate their present
commercial and colonial prepcnder-
ance upon the world.