The Nome daily nugget., 1915-01-13

hemism as "a precautionary measure in view of the disturbed condition of Albania" may draw Italy into the war, and Italy almost certainly would turn the scale for or against Germany
 Where and what is Avlona and why should it's occupation suggest such all embracing consequences?
 Avlona is nearer the Italian shore than St Joseph is to Chicago That is tho important thing about Avlona Also it is the best harhor in Albania but the fact that makes it of especial con sequence to any power that holds it ranto. the narrow neck of the bottle which is the Adriatic sea. From Ot- ranto. on the heel of the Italian boot to Avlona, on the Albanian coast is little more than forty miles. Avlona's bay would harbor a squadron which would make the AdriatiC a closed sea. lake-Italian, Austrian, Greek, accord ing to the flag flying over that squad ron.
 What Italy now calls a 'precaution" may become what statesmen call fait accompli--an accomplished fact which we accept and dismiss from con- sideration That will depend upon the outcome of the war and the part Italy plays. at least in the politics underlying it if not in the military phase of the conflict
 study the map of the Adriatic and Itafy's interest in the east shore be- comes apparent Most of the good har- hors are on the east coast, and. as has been said, the command of the sea in war depends upon a good base near the straits With Avlona in Austrian hands or in hands too weak to preserve neu- trality Italy's position would be sei- ously weak In Rernhardrs "Germany and the Next War" he argues that Italy would do well to relnquish her interests in the Balkan region in favor of Austria and take compensation from France in north Africa. but the bargain does not strike the disinterested reader Ias a safe one Aside from the fact that there are many Italians along the east 1 shore and strong sentimental and his- toric considerations. the establishment | of Austrian power confronting her 1 across the narrow sea could hardly be counterhalanced by colonial possessions across the Mediterranean. even without taking into account the price to be paid for the latter in the form of the lasting enmitv for the latter in the form of lasting enmity of France and the jealous hostility of Great Britain.
 Italy's imperial tendencies, therefore quite apart from her desire to regain the Trentino. seem to bring her into unacceptable conflict with Austrian am bitions and to compel her to east hr sword into the scale on the side of the allies. Yet it is on this path eastward
  Greek ambition If Italy does not wish Austria established along the east coast of the Adriatic. neither do Servia nor Greece wish Italy to absorb that littoral. Thus against Slavic and Greek . expansion Italy and Austria have worked together, as in the establish l ment of an independent Albania. That l compromise is simpler between Greece, l. ScrVia and Italy than between Austria and Italy would seem probable and al- ready may have been reached. Unques- tionably, if necessary, strong pressure will be brought by the allies to bear upon Greece to induce her acquiescence in Italian plans in Albania, while com pensation could be found for her at Turkeys expense if the ports has joined Germany y.-Chicago Tribune