The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-04-30

means. She sees the crumbling of the
structure of the Ottoman Empire-a struc-
ture which has been bolstered ND to fur
Their the selfish purposes Of the European
powers. The fate of Turkey in Europe and
OF Turkey in part of Asia is being sealed
by the allies. Italy must recognize a new
situation and act on it, which practically
IS to act in accordance with it. Not to
do this would be to blind herself to her
interests as a Mediterranean state, and SUI
plnely to adopt measures of self limitation
There are many side complications for
Italy, principally those with Greece Ital-
ian and Grecian interests are in many
ways antagonistic, if not irreconcilable.
The AEGEAN Islands and the Asiatic Litto-
raj have tempted Italy as we'll as Greece,
and the latter's gain in island possessions
has been noted at the Quirinal in a spirit
OF silent protest, if not of actual disfavor
The Greeks, on their part, do not, as
nation, regard Italy kindly No love is
lost between the Greek and Italian peo-
pies, whoever holds the reins of govern
ment at Athens. But if the allies use a
strong hand in guiding affairs, there is
ground for the belief that difficulties may
be composed. Greece essentially is a trad
ing nation; Italy wishes to be more of an
exploring nation. Italy's commerce car
riers would multiply with the realization
of this aim, but not, so far as can be seen,
to the detriment of Greece There ought
to be room enough in the Near East for
the normal expansion of both nations
And statesmen at Rome and Athens should
be aware of the fact that any expansion
which, in the broad sense, is not normal is
very apt to bring trouble in its train.
Italy, it is believed, is closer now to
Ron mo -
any other Of the Balkan States. 1t is be-
heved, moreover, that Italy would not OBJ
Ject to some extension Of Russian political
influence in the Balkans, if she could have
guarantees as to her own commercial ex-
pansion there, with political compensation
in Albania and elsewhere to the south
east. She Is, in effect, content to let Great
Britain and France do what may be neces-
sary to curb Russia politically She re
serves to herself the right of acting with
or against Great Britain and France in
this matter, as occasion demands Appar-
emily Italy is not worrying lest the final
disposition of Constantinopjle affect her
interests adversely.
Gain in trade is the substantial thing
which Italy hopes viii accrue to her out
of the European tragedy. Italy imports
much more than she exports She wants
to what may be an unequaled opportunity
for such increase in the situation resulting
from the war when manufacturing country
after country must be more or less Grip
pied. She sees, in particular, new trade
routes opening up to her in northern
Africa, in the Balkans in the Near East
She has shown in Tripoli what she can do
in trade DEVELOPMENT
In all Of the directions mentioned ITALY
realizes the advantages Of being on friend
" terms with the allies. Put in another
way, Italy has come to understand the dis
advantages, tradewise and otherwise, of
not being ON friendly terms with the al
lies
Italy would rather be- on friendly, than
hostile, terms with Germany and Austria
Hungary. The question, nevertheless, re-
solves itself into a choice between groups.
Anything Is possible in wartime. and there
still may be some sort of alliance, if only
an agreement involving continued neutral
ity between Italy and Germany. But the
cards have favored the allies almost from
the beginning of the war
Italy undoubtedly desires expansion of
the special spheres Of her political infiu-
ence. The allies recognize this desire, and,
as in the instance of the Avlona occupa-
ton have given evidences of encouraging
It, certainly not of depressing it, if it is
kept within reason. The Salandra cabinet
seemingly intends to keep it within reason.
But ltaly's claims in redistribution of ter
ritory, and especially in the matter Of
commercial progress, viii be pushed all
the more vigorously because they are con
sidered to be reasonable.
OF course. Italy would not object to tax
ing territory, provided she thought she
could handle it. incidentally, she is Just
now much more interested in certain
Aegean islands and the Asia Minor coast
than she Is in negotiations over SItala
Irredenta' Trieste and the Trentino.
Summed up, her aspirations (and her bar
gains) are in line with commercial devcl-
opment, and not merely to satisfy senti-
ment, especially sentiment with risk at
tached to it.
For the present, it is commercial advan-