New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-22
Italy and the Balkans.

J. UClpaLlOn IN NNe AAlcu operations III INC
Balkans are of minor Importance now. 1t
is interesting to know that to the huge
army of Serbs, French, British and colo
NAL troops there is now added an Italian
contingent, but, knowing nothing Of its
numbers, it is impossible to discuss the
effect it will have in the general campaign.
On the political side, however, the ar
rival of Italian troops in the Balkans has
a real meaning. We do not know in what
fashion the Allies have by their agree
ments divided the Near East. We do
know that Serbia is to he restored and that
Russia is to have the city of CONSTANT
nople and both shores Of the Straits, if the
Allies win. We can assume that Italy has
been assured the possession Of Valona,
protectorate over all Albania, save for
Scutari and perhaps a pairing Of Northern
Epirus, which may remain in Greek hands,
but the question of Asia Minor remains
open.
The best information that has come
from Europe indicates that Italy will be
permitted at the end Of the war to hold
the island Of Rhodes and the surrounding
group, which she occupied temporarily"
during the Tripolitan War. But it is
equally authoritatively asserted that the
Allied bargain includes the possession Of
Smyrna and the Egean coast of Asia
Minor by Italy and the occupation Of Syria
and the coast from the Gulf Of Alexan-
dretta to Jaffa by France.
Italy, France, Russia and Britain have
unquestionably agreed to settle the East
ern Question in such fashion that Austria
and Germany shall permanently be ex-
cluded from the Balkans. They have
agreed that Serbia shall have Bosnia,
Herzegovina, the coast Of Dalmatia south
of the Narenta and a corner Of Northern
Albania. It is certain, if the Allies win,
that Montenegro will be Joined to Serbia
and that the Bulgarians will be excluded
from part Of Macedonia.
But all of this is contingent upon vic
tory; therefore, if Italy is to be able to
claim a share in the Eastern estate she
will have to claim it on the basis Of her
participation in the campaign that defni-
lively drives llt 0tlllltl OAb VI CllS ocl-
kans and the Turk out of Europe. 1t will
not suffice for Italy to occupy Gorilla or
even Trieste; even her possession of Va
Iona will not count; it is in Macedonia that
the decision will come.
The thing to be remembered is that what
is now taking place all through Europe is
not one campaign or many campaigns in
war, but deliberate, systematic attempt
to abolish the German influence outside of
German frontiers. The economic alliance
of the Allies aims at making tariff wall
against the Germans, surrounding all the
nations now fighting the Germans. The
military campaigns and the naval cam
paigns, outside of the main field of oper-
atoms in Russia, Austria and France, aim
at destroying the bases Of German political
and economic influence in the future.
The campaign in German East Africa,
now approaching an end, will put a crown
on the efforts of two years in the matter
of German colonies. OF the considerable
edfce which existed before the war there
is left nothing now but a little kernel,
which is bound to disappear in the next
few weeks or months. Germany beyond
the seas will then be memory. And
since Britain has used her colonial troops
to conquer these German colonies, it will
be for the colonies to decide whether they
shall be returned. The answer is known.
But more important than Germany's
colonies were her financial and economic
bases in the Turkish Empire. Turkey
had become in a sense a German ward, and
the Bagdad Railroad was only one sign of
the German expansion through the Near
East Through Turkey Germany men
aced the French, Italian and British colo
MES in Africa, and through the religious
primacy of the Sultan Of Turkey in Islam
she threatened the peace Of India, Egypt
and French North Africa.
The Allies are now agreed to put per-
manent end to this menace by transform
ing conditions in the Balkans. Serbia is
to be made a strong state, at the expense
of Austria Bulgaria will be beaten pres
emily, her king will lose his throne and it is
quite as certain that Allied success will
cost Constantine Of Greece his throne.
Bulgaria freed of Austro-German control
and royalty, may receive a portion Of
Macedonia and her old lands in Thrace.
Greece, once Constantine is gone, may get
Epirus. but the total elimination of leu
tonic influence is resolved upon.
The Triple Alliance ultimately broke
down because Of the rivalry Of Austria and
Italy in the Near East. Italy almost de-
serted Austria at the time of her Bosnia
annexation. Austria nearly attacked
Italy at the time Of the Tripoltan War
Now, with the present war, Italy has def.
nitely taken her stand with the Mediter
ranean powFs. She purposes to take the