The Washington herald., 1920-01-07
Backgrounds of Fiu1,,e
Old World Politics In
Hands of DipLomaniacs
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land throughout the war both in
trigued to unyoke Austria from
Germany and induce her to a sepa-
rate peace. These manoeuvres,
which took little. if any genuine
count of Austria's oppressed ma
tionalities. were generally carried
on behind Italy's back or over Italy's
protest.
The French would frankly tell
you that they were not fighting the
Austrians. They characterized
Frances sympathy for that crazy
picture puzzle of an empire as an
''Imponderable." Vienna was called
the second Paris and the Vienese
were hailed as the Parisians of Cen
trail Europe. The fact that the Pact of
London gave Italy the Dalmatian
coast and Trent and Triest had
small effect on the sentiment and
inner direction of French foreign
policy.
Afterward. the Yugoslavs were look
ed upon as the heirs of Austria and
the friends of France. The Quai dor
sal made desperate attempts to put
over" a Danubian Confederacy.
Eliminate Like Sentimental Fringe.
Such French feeling for Yugoslavia
was in reality nothing more substan-
tial than sentimental embroidery. 1t
served to camouflage Frances pro-
French or anti-Italian politics. The
ruling class Of France and even large
sections of the French masses have
no real friendship for the Italians.
wish a great and powerful third
Italy.
When imperially expedient, England
too. used her well-filled bag of diplo-
matte tricks against Italy. From an
economic viewpoint. the nationally
undeveloped Yugoslavs would be
more advantageous to John Bull than
the more progressive Italians. The
English foreign office was not throw
ing away any opportunity to god
father" a new and inexperienced ma
tion's trade and politics.
Besides. England was beginning to
have real worries about her control
of the seas. All ambition to sea pow
er on Italy's part must be nipped in
the bud.
Original ItaIa-YugosIay Relations.
The Italians and the Yugoslavs
would have settled their problems
long ago. had England and France
set them an ideaIistic example and
let them alone. Yugoslavia undoubt
edly is and should be a distinctive
national unit. Italy does not deny
this, but admits it as a first principle.
Servia, of course, was an ally and the
Italians consider has as such. They,
however, make a certain distinction
between her and the wartime Jugo-
slavia of the Austrian army and
fleet
The Italian and SIav nature is es-
sentially democratic. In fact, the
Italians and the Slavs are the in
stinctive democrats of the Old World
Bluffs and snobs are as unknown in
fugoslavia as they are in Italy. In
pre-armistice days one heard little or
nothing in popular Italy about the
southern Tyrol, Fiume and the Dali
matian coast. Gorilla, Trent, Trieste
and Wilsonianism were the clarion
calls to perseverance and victory.
In the late summer and fall of 1918
the Italians and the Yugoslavs were
interlocked in friendly intrigues.
Carthage delenda est" had given
place to Austria delenda est'-"Aus-
tria must be destroyed" The Con-
gress of Rome had been held and
principles rather than selfish policies
promised to guide and color the rela-
tive Yugoslavia-
Suspicious of YugosIays.
1t is true that Sonnino, the Italian
minister of that period, was
suspicious of the Yugoslav movement
and opposed the dissolution of the
Austrian Empire. He argued that
must be preserved
as a barrier against Germany's pos
sible approach to the Adriatic. He
was an old-school diplomat, stubborn
y convinced that he knew his Europe,
not only the past but the future Eu-
rope as we'll Small, oppressed ma
lions did not mean as much to him
rs a third and greatest Italy in a new
balance of power.
Sonnino's attitude embarrassed Or
ando. the former Premier. and hin
Tered his more moderate undertake
ngs. Orlando invited change in the
'pirit and letter OF the Pact of Lon
Ion, giving an open ear to the politi- |
al sermons from the White House )
Mount. The Sicilian statesman only
wished to be assured of the demo-l
ratio good intentions of England and
france, before committing himself to
iefinite and specific action.
During September and October, 1915. |
'ervia was the fulcrum upon which |
certain Italo-Yugoslav intrigues were
,perating against the Hapsburgs. At
nat time. Montenegro was the ma
ional wall flower, unlimited to the |
lance. Once despised Montenegrfn |
'iements are today fused with Italian |
lements. On the other hand. Servia |
requently spurns Italy, limiting her
essential defense and friendship to |
he Southern Slavs.