The Washington times., 1915-03-15
BARTER WITH ITALY

IL 10 nd1 u pOSlllOil III "lllCll lIdl
finds herself at this time, pressed
by both sides in the great war; each
side offering almost anything she
may ask to get her support or even
the assurance of her neutrality
Bound by treaty to support Ger
many and Austria in certain con-
ditions, the circumstances of the
present war have relieved her from,
that obligation; and the overwhelm-
ing sentiment of the Italian nation
favors the allies.
Two great objects Italy has to
gain by whatever course she may pur-
sue in this juncture. She wants to
recover those ancient Italian prov
inces around the head of the Adri-
attic which Austria has been able to
keep away from her; and she wants
to keep the Mediterranean balance of
power so adjusted that there will be
the least possible measure of any
combination being formed for the
crushing of Italian independence.
For Italy to side with Germany
and Austria, in program whose
success inevitably would mean the
extension of the united empires
straight through from Baltic to
Black and Egean, is manifestly i'm
possible. Italy would be over
shadowed in the near east if the
Germanic federation should accom-
plish such a purpose. 1t can hardly
be doubted that, if the triple alliance
of Germany, Austria and Turkey
shall win, Turkey will merely post
pone the day of its doom. 1t will
be, in that case, merely matter of
waiting for new occasion. a new
preteXt, when Austria and Germany
may turn against the Turk and
crowd him off the map. He hasn't
a chance; he doesn't deserve one;
and he seems the only figure in the
whole situation incapable of under
standing that this is the case.
Now, if Turkey is crowded out of
Constantinople by Austria, then
italy must fear Austria and Germany
in the Mediterranean. If Turkey is
overthrown by the allies, and Russia
gets Constantinople, then Italy must
fear Russia in the Mediterranean.
There is just one safe course for
Italy, and that is to snuggle up close
to Great Britain and France, to
keep a clear understanding with
them, and to be at all times a party
to the Anglo-French understanding
FOR the protection of mutual inter-
ests in the Mediterranean.
1t is not easy for Italy to be sure
which way the cat is going to jump.
The war is going on; England and
Russia are at the moment allies.
England cannot enter into deal
with Italy, guaranteeing Italy that
Russia shall not be allowed to hold
Constantinople; such a deal might
'orfeit Russia's adhesion to the cause
If the entente. Italy's game is to
make the best terms possible before
she throws in her fortune with the
lilies; and that really means to make
he best pos sible terms with Russia.
The wars deadlock cannot be
broken. apparently, until some more
powers are brought into it. Italy,
Ireece, Roumania, Bulgaria, are the
obvious countries which the opening
If spring most likely may bring in.
After that, Holland, Denmark, the
scandinavian countries; but these
are not SO imminent. 1t is not quite
possible to imagine any one of these
countries becoming the partisan of
Germany and Austria. In every one,
public opinion is anti-German; in
very one, German diplomacy is max
ng desperate effort to counteract
his manifest condition. Every in
fuence that dynastic relationships
'an bring to bear in Holland, Den
mark, Roumania, Greece, is being
employed by the Germans; and it
S not to be doubted that the wide
Xtended affiliations of the Hohenzol- |
erns with the royalties of these mill
" states are serving Germany en-
.eedingly we'll just al this moment.
Meanwhile, Italy sits tight and
waits, Sha In not going To make