Evening star., 1923-09-02
KEY TO GENERAL WAR
HELD BY LARGE POWERS
Creco-ltalian Situation Dangerous Only
In So Far as France and England Strive
to Uphold Own Interests.

troll of valuable Albanian ports on
the Adriatic by either Jugoslavia or
Greece would have been a direct chal-
lenge to italian aspirations. AS other
larger powers of Europe have done
in times past, Italy acted when. what
she deemed her rights were endanger-
ed. However, in the strife that result
ed from attempts to fix Albanian
boundaries. hatredS We're famed anew
and it was not until the council of am
oassadors. sitting in Paris. named a
commission to bring about the fixing
of Albanian frontiers was the danger
OF actual immediate conflict avoided.
Jealousy Grows Apace.
During the period this commission
has been functioning the rivalry and
jealousies of other Balkan peoples in
regard to the Albanian territories
have grown apace. The Italians,
though once assailed by the Alba
mans, who still desire recognition of
full and separate integrity, neverthe-
less soon became looked upon as the
protectors of Albanian interests. That
they firmly intended to see that the
Albanians were protected was indi-
Gated by the insistence of the Itdlian
commissioner. Gen. Tellini, that a.
least twenty-five towns in Epirus all
claimed b. Greece be made part Of AL
bania. Gen. TeIlini paid for this with
his life last Monday, according to
the claims of Rome.
The present situation IS the OUT
Of rod bN-
pin priclks. continuing ever since the
peace conferences in Paris. Only one
who has visited the regions involved
can appreciate the possible numerous
sources OF irritation that can arise.
With the centuries old hatreds and
conflicting interests OF peoples, eX
pertS who have studied the conflicting
aspirations in the Balkans. territorial
and otherwise, often wonder how
conflict has been avoided since the
Paris parley.
Whatever the attributed causes for
the present trouble. it, nevertheless,
may involve the larger powers of Eu-
rope sooner or later. 1t is for this
reason that during the week England
and France both made strenuous ef-
forts to avoid conflict. inopportune as
il appears to them, in view OF the per-
picking issues that yet must be solved,
in so far az Germany is concerned.
Rivalry for Mediterranean.
italy always has dreamed Of con-
trolling the Mediterranean, which she
regards as a rightful and logical posi-
ton, in view of her geographical sit
uation. France, likewise, has sought
to hold the same position, in order
that she may preserve her communi-
cations with colonies in Africa. Great
Britain, who holds the SueZ canal,
likewise. constantly has sought to
preserve her interests, though during
the period of closest entente with
France she gracefully permitted Paris
to ostensibly dominate the situation.
Neither England nor France has
taken Italian aspirations seriously in
this regard. but with full Italian con-
troll of the Adriatic, such as would
come with an Italian naval base at
Corfu and Italian control of the Doda-
cred in All respects.
The Italian action, If successfully
carried forward to the complete ca
pitulation of Greece in actual warfare,
would be direct challenge to France.
Owing to the hatred of the Italians
for the French as a whole, the foreign
office in Paris could not view the new
Italian position with equanimity. Par
ticularly is this true because Of the
-1yip haS
France. Jugoslavia and the little en-
tente.
The other members of the little
entente are not nearly so interested
In combating extension Of italian in
fiuence as in Belgrade. The sores
Of the Fiume incident have not heal
ed.
Would Use Jugoslavia.
II is believed that if the French are
seriously inclined to combat the ex-
tension Of Italian influence in the
Adriatic and the Mediterranean
through their complete control Of the
former body of water, they would
strike at Italy through Jugoslavia-
But inasmuch as Italian support is
desired by France in settlement Of
major questions more directly bearing
on the interests Of France, namely.
the Ruhr. Jugoslavia may be held In
leash. On the other hand, If there is
chance of completely undermining
Italian influence, it would be possi-
BILE to use the Balkans TO accomplish
this purpose. In case of Italian de-
feat the only power challenging
French dominion throughout south
eastern Europe would have been elm
mated and the French cause would
reign predominant for decades to
come. These are some of the mo-
tives that have been attributed to
France by those Italian interests who
have seen in France the chief STUN
bling block to realization of Italian
aspirations for the last hundred
years.
Position of England.
Though England may be expected
to do everything within her power to
bring an end to the present dangerous
conflict Of interest, it is not believed
that England can safely act without
endangering her future political Sit
uation on the continent, one which
in the past few weeks has taken Italy
into friendly consideration. How
ever, both France and England stand
guarantors for Grecian autonomy and
finance, and the situation becomes in
volved by virtue of this very circum-
stance. Likewise England stands
sponsor for THE perpetual neutrality
Of Corfu