THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.
EXTRA
HONGKONG, SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1915.
Italian towns of Trieste, Pola, and
ITALY AND THE WAR,
Fiame, and the coast of Dalmatia,
SOME PROPHETIC UTTERANCES.
WELL-KNOWN LONDON JOURNALIST'S VIEW,
We reprint, to-day, the fol ustria. He suggested to the lowing artiole which appeared Court at Vienna the necessity of in United Empire, the Journal in Austro-German alliance to of the Royal Colonial Institute, ward off" the Russian peril, and It is from the pen of Mr. J. Ellis om un Austro German alliance Barker, whose" work" in welt was concluded. known to all gonders of the Austria and Italy are historic London reviews and the better enemies. At the Congress of class daily papers. Mr. Barker Vieans, in 1815, Austria split up is peculiarly qualified for hand. I aly into a number of artificial ling matters connected with the Juntes, brought the whole country present war, for he was born under her domination, and divid and educated in Germany, ed it against itself. She abolish Though Italy had not actually ed the political reforms which had entered the "war at the time beeu intro luced in Italy in the
about
Monsieur A. Bilict, who from 1890 and 1897 was the French Ambassador-in Rome, wrote in his memoire:
a
with the Entente
that she might at last feel oom- Italian shore alending may easily by Austria which
at present would be fatal to their country. pelled to make war upon Italy and be effected. The eastern shore of threaten Italy's security, but they Italy has not joined in the War which are retained by Austria- he asked the Prince whether, in the Adriatic contains innumerable might receive as well valuable before дот for Hungary. In Roman times and that event, Germany would have excellent harbours. The coast is oplonies in the Mediterranean and reasons.
important in the time of the Venetian Re- any objection to Austria taking very mountainous.
Huge hills elsewhere. Italy has staked out of the War the Italian army was At the beginning public flourishing Italian settle possession of part of these protect the numerous natural in-claims on the cost of Asia Minor, not ready, Italy was ill provided ments were founded on the eastern Italian Provinces which had been lets, and in front of the Austrian about the port and bay of Adalia, with modern artillery. A large sbore of the Adriatic, Italy has Austrian and which Austria had shore lie innumerable islands where she has secared railway number of her troops and much strong claims to Trieste, Pole, and lost to Italy in 1852 and 1886. crowned with lofty mountains, concessions. The Italian aphere of her artillery ware in Tripoli. Bad Fiame, and to some of the Bismarck hesitated a moment and The eastern or Austrian shore of of interest in Asia Minor is extre Her reserves of arms and ammasi- Dalmatian coast towas, for both then answered: "No we would the Adriatic is a huge naval base mely fruitful; it is very thinly tion, which had been insuficient, historial and racial reasons, not raise any objectione. Italy is of the greatest defensive strength, populated at present. It is rich has been still further depleted by Austria-Hungary retained after none of our frisade." About the whence attacks may be made upon in minerals, and millions of people the warfare in Tripoli, Italy re- the war of 1886 valuable territori- same time the Papal Nuncio the easily accessible Italian shore may make a living there under quired time to get ready for war. 83 peopled by Italians, whence inquired whether Germany would opposite, and whence large armies good Government. she could easily invade Italy, and object to the re-establishment, or may rapidly be thrown into the
Italian statesmanship naturally aidered that the country should Moreover, Italian statesmen con- the douger of an Austrian attack at least the partial re-establish centre of Italy. Not annaturally, follows the policy of security and join in only at the paychological was all the greater as the great ment, of the Pope's temporal the Italians have watched with the expansion. "Italy's security and moment. They wished to join in length of the Italian Peninsula and power, and he received extetly the gravest concern Austria's attempt her possibility of expansion de he general attack when France, the paucity of railways made a same reply. These utterances to control-Albania,......
pend not merely on her control of Russis, and England were ready. rapid concentration of the Italian showed Germany's sentimente to- The Adriatic has a narrow open some positions which dominate for their spring campaign. Lastly, Army in the north extremely diffi-warde Italy."
ing, the Strait of Otranto. Here, the country, but also, and chiefly, the Italiane wished to settle be calt. As long as the Treating is
in Albanie, lies the large and on the balance of power in Eur forehand all diplomatic and ter in Austria's hands, Italy feels
excellent harbour of Valons, the ope. Eugland and Italy are citorial questions, so that their threatened by Austria, which on
Gibraltar of the Adriatic, Austrin equally strongly interested in the participation in that their sapies a wide breach of the
has endeavoured to acquire that preservation of a European not lead to unpleasant misunder- mountain wall which protects the "Italy's hesitation to join the precious position, but some time equilibrium. Both are equally standings country towards the north. Feel- Austro-German Alliance wae over after the commencement of the strongly interested in the freedom Powers after its conclusion ing that she had Italy in her come by alarming the Italian present war Italy occupied it of the seu. Italy cannot feed when the article was written, revolutionary era and at the power, Austria bas treated ontra- Government. Germany pretend- under a transparent pretext. Yet herself, and her very life depsads prompted Italian statesmen not A strong seues of caption it will be seen that Mr. Barker ime of Napoleon. She regeously the Italiane under her ed to be favourably inclined to Austria did not venture to protest. on her foreign trade. Her citizens only to abstain from intervention has not been out in his stablished the monasteries which rule, and endeavoured to dens wards the Vatican, and took open- For her security Italy requires the are as dependent upon the sea before the Entents Powera were conjectures,
had been suppressed, crippled tionalise them by every means at ly stops towards a reconciliation control of the principal Adriatic borne trade su are those of the ready for the principal campaign Italy seems on the point of en-education, and handed it over to her command. She endeavoured with the Pope. Thus Italy was harbours which are now in United Kingdom. That may be but likewise caused them to be tering into the War. By the time Church. All Italian professors 10 Germanise them in the Tren- trapped into an alliance of which Austria's hands and the possession seen from the statistics. this article is in print she may dismissed. The Press was muz. into Slave in Triests, in the that Italy would be guaranteed
suspected of Liberal views were tino, and she tried to convert them the first advantage was to be thie, of the Trenting.
If Germany and Austris should might give rise to misunderstand. sitate until all questions which have actually begun hostilities
Tae economic position of Italy be victorious in the present War, ings and friction had been de Peninsula And either with Austria, or with Tur-zied. Free speech was destroyed. Istrian
in against attempts to restore the is a curious one. Italy, has an Italy's independence would be fin tely settled, by settling Slavs temporal power of the Pope, a excellent climate, but the country gone, even if the two Central difficult questions that of the or with both Powers.combin.All Italians suspected of Liberal Dalmatia
Among these key, ed. Naturally, moay people or patriotic leggings were spion among them, by suppressing the policy which was favoured, or at is naturally exceedingly poor, Powers should give to Italy not Eastern Adristic shore is particn throughout the British Empire upon, imprisoned, or hounded out Italian language Bad Italian least not disapproved of by The country is covered with bar- only the Trentino and the larly interesting and important. are inquiring: Why is Italy at the country. Italy was ruled schools, and she continned towards Germany."
ren mountains, and abounds in harbours on the Adriatic, but The foregoing extracts should fever-stricken swamps. Only a Corsica, Tunis, Malta, Egypt, and Adriatic there are ancient Isslian along the Austrian shore of the tacking her ancient ally? Why by terror. The country swarmed her Italian population the same has she not taken part in the War with police agent, spies, and in-tyrannous policy which she had suffice to show that Italy did not comparatively small portion is Nice as well, as has been promised. settlements, but the whole Hinter hafore now? What are Italy's
formers. The Austrian prisons pursued to wards the Italiane in join Austria and Germany volan- suitable for agrisaltare, and An enormous Austro-German land is Slavonic, Servia urgently interests and national ambitions, were filled with Italian patriots. Italy before she had been expelled tarily, but was forced by thraa ta agriculture is hampered by fre- empire, stretching not merely from requires a free and ample outlet and what are her feelings towards be leading Italian poets, authors, from the country. Naturally, the to enter the Triple Alliance. quant drought. Agriculture and Hamburg to the Adriatic, but towards the Adriatic. If the Great Britain, and the Dominions?nd saientists were treated as con- inhabitants of the Italian kingdom Moreover Austria did nothing to manufacturing industries are far from Antwerp to Aden and far in present war should end in a These questions will be answered spirators and common criminals. hated the nation which suppressed ingratiate herself with Italy. She thermore impeded by the absence to France and Russia, a State decisive victory of the Entente in the following.pager.
Powerful fortifications were con- their brothers. The Italia Irred- not only unceasingly persecuted of large navigable rivers, and by possessing considerably more than Powers, a Greater Servis will
tracted in the. Italy has been a member of a
Lombardo rents arose, a muvement to acquire the hundreds of thousands of the fact that the country, though 200,000,000 inhabitants, would arise. The Austrian Provinces Venetian kingdom. Taey were unredeemed Italy" the terri Italians under her rule, but many rich in stone, is devoid of valuable control and dominate all Europe, bordering upon Servis, such a Triple Alliance since 1882. Than alliance was renewed only a short alled with Austrian soldiers, and tories occupied by Italians sighing of her leading mea preached a minerals and of timber. Italy and if the Austro-German Alliante
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dalmatia, time ago. At first sight, it seems Austrian troops began to act as under a foreign yoke. Taerefore, war of revenge against Italy, and produces very little timber, and should
1
have defeated Great Croatia, Slavonia, and Carniolaars that an attack, upon her ally is an executionera even in the non-while the Italians in Italy were the re-conquest of the Italian practically no coal and no irón | Britain as well it would not only Slavonic, are Servian. A Greater set of the blackest treachery, a trianand nominally independ- little concerned their Provinces which were formerly ore. She produces less coal in a rule the Continent but also the Jervis, having from 10,000,000 However, we must remember thatent Stites of Dialy. Popular ris-brothers who lived under French held by Austria. Among the year than dosa Great Britain in a
882. Such an enormous empire to 12,000,000 inhabitants, mut come allianese are entered upongs of the outraged people were and English rule, they passionate most determined advocates of single day. Although waterfalls would absolutely dominate the be able to reasons, t voluntarily, and are true alliances ferociously suppressed. After re- ly desired to free their brothers such a war of revenge were the provide cheap electricity in some fate of Italy. Italy would exist would obviously be very unwise in the full sense of the word, peated unsuccessful revolts, the from Austrien tyranny and op- late Archduke Francis Ferdinand, parts of the country, water-power merely on enffarance. Austria if staliu genuine partnerships among us.
Italians raouvered their freedom preasion.
and some of the most influential can of course in no way replace hates Italy not only because she advantage of their opportunities, tious, while there are others which ad unity in the wars of 1859 and
Whon Bismarck concluded the military men of the Dual Mo-coal, iron, and timber which the was driven out of the Peninsula, should abuse them and should, on may be called sham alliances, into 1860.
alliance with Austria be feared narchy. In the Balkan Peninsula country lacks. Although Italy is but also because Italy has seized historic or other grounds, ad- which nations have been forced to
The Italian people have not that Italy might join Austria's Austria-Hungary pursued deli agriculturally, industrially, and upon Valons, the port, which doeavour to obtain so large a share outer against their will. The forgolten their suffering under the snomies and at the time of a barately a policy bostile to Italy. commercially extremely unfavour-minates the Adriatic, Austria of the east coast of the Adriatic alliance between Italy and Austria Austrian rule. The older men European war take from Austria She endeavoured to secure there ably situated, she has a very dense and Germany hate lialy because as virtually to exclude dete was of the latter kind. Besides, keenly remember the tyranny the territories peopled by Italians. positions whence she could threa- and rapidly increasing population, that country left them in the from that sea. If they should do there are defensive alliances and under which the country enffered Even if Italy should remain neu- ten not only Italy's commercial Per square mile there are 1008 lurch at the outbreak of the pre- that they would take up towards alliances for both defence and for decades. Moreover, the hatred tral Austria would not be able to interests but her very existence. people in Spain, 1912 in France, sent War. If Germany and the Servians the same stude offence. The Triple Alliance was of Austria was kept alive after the act with her whole strength again. In the year 1906 Signor Pellegrini, 311 0 in Germany, 313.5 in Italy, Austria should be victorious it which the Austrians have so of the former kind, and specifically war of 1886 by Austria's folly. at Russia, for she would be com an eminent Italian publicist, and 372.6 in the United Kingdom. would be only human and natural ed, towards the Italiane adopt excluded at war arising about the the ware of 1850 and 1866 the polled to station very considerable wrote in his important book Per equare mile the population is if they should take their revenge past. Balkans, Italy was therefore andertalian States of the Peninsula military forces on
They would, therefore, the Italian Verso la Guerra ? II Dissidio 50 per cent. greater in barren upon Italy. Not only would the create serious differences between no obligation to support her allies we eat last united, but a consider frontier. Hence, Bismarck desired for I'italia e l'Austria. Italy than it is in fertile and Adriatic become an Austrian sea, the two States, in the present war.
to assure himself of Italy's sup We have to oslculate in the prolific France and somewhat but Italy herself would become Italy on the west of the Adriatic Alter the Franco-German War mained outside the Italian frou- port, or at least of her benevolent future with the fact that the larger then in industrial Germany. once more an Austrian satellite, if and Servin on the east of that nee of 1870-71, it was Bismarck's prin tiers. Tacre aro largo Italian neutrality. Nations do not readi- Austro-Hungarian Empire, though As the population increases very not an Austrian possesion. Italy's are obviously equally strongly cipal object to ieolate France, and settlements са the French ly attack an ally. Bismarck de- nominally our ally, is our deter- rapidly, the nation is poor, and independence would be gone, «
interested in maintaining the to strengthen the position of the Riviers, near Nice, in that part of sired to attach Italy to the Austro- mined enemy in the Balkan enormous numbers of the people Italy depends for her existence freedom of the sea, and the status New German Empire by powerful Switzerland which is nearest to German Alliance.
Peningals. Therefore it is mest fare forced to emigrate. In 1912, upon her sea-borne trade. She alliances. immédiately after the I aly, in French Corsica, in Malta,
Italy did not join the Austro- that we should enter into more 711,446 Italians loft their country. can find adequate outlets for her which will be created at quo in South-Eastern Europe sanguinary rising of the Faris and in the Austrian Dominicas. German Alliance voluntarily. She intimate relations with Rusia, Italy has by far the largest population and industries only by the fature Congress of Peace. Commune, ho suggested to the The French, the English, and the was forced to join it by menaces, the only nation which, in co emigration in the world, but the acquiring colonies overses. Last, Moreover, Italy and Servis Emperors of Russia and Austria Swies, have treated their Italian Italy was threatened by external operation with Italy, can act as an Italians are so fond of their home but not least, Italy is most vulner ought to be the best custo on alliance against the Forces of citizens with justice and these and intoras dangers. While adequate counterpoise. Only land that vast numbers return. able from the sea. Nearly all the of one another. Servis could Revolution, and soon afterwarde have no reason to complain of Austria threatened her in the thus can we sepure the mainten- Hundreds of thousands of Italians most important Italian towns lie supply Italy with the food and the Three Emperora Alliance was living under spon-Italien Govern- norib, strong foreign and Italian sues of the threatened balance of go every year abroad to gather on or close to the shores, and the raw materials she needs, concluded. Desiring to weaken ment. Ou
other head, influences threatened her with the power in the Balkan Peninsula." the Harvest Italian hervesters Italian main lines of railway hug could provide Servia with the Russia, he encourager at Austris, filled with hatred and recreation of the Pope's temporal These words were written ten travel temporarily as far as Wes the shore and are carried over mannisciared goods she country to make war upon Turkey. resentment at having been expell power, with the transference of years ago. Since then Austria tern Canada and the United innumerable viaducts, bridges, Being neighbours, they ought to requires. When, in 1877, a Russian army ed from the Italian Peninsula, Home and of the old States of the has shown still farther her hos States, Argentina, and Brazil.
and through hundreds of tunnels be the best friends and customers, stood before the gates of Con- continued to treat with injustics Church from the King of Italy to tility to Italy both in the Balkans Italian statesmen naturally desira which
"camily be However, if Italian statesmen stantinople, Austria and England and oppression the numerous the Pope. The Marchese Cap and elsewhere. Besides, if am not only to increase the security destroyed from the
seu.should unfortunately create a opposed Russia's progress. Bus-Italians within her borders. pelli, a former Minister of Foreign our may be believed, Germany of their country by acquiring the Italy ie, therefore, clcably concert feeling of resentment among the sia wa exhausted. Peace between A glance at the map shows that Affairs of Italy, wrote in his book has endeavoured to paralyse Italy threatening strategical positions ed not only in the maintenance Serviane, their future relations Russia and Turkey was made at Italy is protected towards the La Politica estera del Conte de by raising the natives in Tripoli which are at present held by of the balance of power in Europe might anffer, to the lasting harm the Congress of Berlin, over which north by immense mountain walla Robilaut,
in revolt against the Italians. Abstria, and which are largely but also in the freedom of the sea. of both nations. Both Italians Bismarck presided. At the Con. which convert that country into a "None koow batter than Count The policy of nations is deter- peopled by Italians, but also to She is the natural ally of a liberal and Servians should remember greas Russia was deprived of the natural fortress of the greatest Robilant how much we were mined by their needs. The prin- obtain lands outaids Italy where fruits of her victory, while Anatra strength. However, there is a isolated and how great was the oipal needs of nations are two- Italian emigrants may settle, was given control of Bosnia and dangerous opening in that moun danger arising from the hostility security and prosperity. Italy'le where the Italian industries may Herzegovinu. (They were not sin well. When withdrawing which certain Powera displayed security is threatened only from find the raw produce they need as actually incorporated in the dual from Italy, Austria retained the towards us. When Prince Bie- Austria, and it is threatened in well as outlets for their manufac- monatohy till 1903) Naturally Italian Trentino. Of the inhabit-marek went to Vienna in 1879 in two directions. It is threatened turers, and where Italian com- Russians were incensed at the at-sats of the Southern Trentino connection with the conclusion of in the north, where Austrian merce and finance may find a field titude of Germany and Austria, about 95 per cent, are Italians, the Austro-German Alliance, the troops, occupy s wide bresch in for profitable employment. Feel for they had saved Prussia from it is a purely Italian land, and it Ambassador was the only Ambas the Italian mountain walls, and it ing the need of outlets, the Ita- extinction at the time of Napoleon is of the greatest strategical value, asador. in Vishna who was not is also threatened in the Adriatic, lians have acquired at rainous I., and had enabled her to defeat As long as Austria occupies the visited by the Prince. That was A glance at the map shows that cost Erythres, Somaliland, and in her heroic struggle for freedom editor wrote Brother, don Austris in 1866 and France in strongly fortified Trentino Italy's not the only evidence of Ger the western shore of the Adriatic lately Tripoli. So far, Tripoli and independence. Blop your paper just because you 1870 by their friendly attitude position is insecure. Austria many's attitude towards Italy, is Italian, while the eastern shore alone has cost them the enormous Although Italy in vitally inter- dou's agree with the editasyo and by promises of support. commands all the mountain val-The Austrian Minister of Foreign belongs chiefly to Austria sum of £80,000,000. If the estod in the victory of England last cabbage you sent me didn't Desiring to establish Germany's leys right down into the wealthy Affaire, Count Andrassy told Hungary. The westerndr Italian Italians should join in the War and of the Entente Fawers, and agree with us either, but we didn't security by means of a powerfal Italian plain, Part of the pelebrat-Bismarck that Austria had been shore is fat and sandy and is on the side of the Entente Fowers, although the majority of her drop you alliance, Bismarck immediately ad Lago di Garda is Austrian, constantly provoked by the agile devoid of good harbours suitable they might secure not only the statemen TSWAT that the list on that account, Gorton releed the Russian spectre in Towards the east of Italy lie the tion of the Italian Irredentiate and for naval warfare. On the dst valuable strategical positions held victory of Germany and Austria Transcript
"
able number of Italians still re-
the
41
con
statesmen, taking
, and Italy
nation which dominates the sea, the virtue of moderation, and che Hence Italy's interests and those proverb that one hand washes the of Great Britain are identical oiber, which existe both in the Moreover. Italians are attracted Italian and Servian languages. towards Englishmen by a natural offiuity, by a democratic spirit common to both nations, by a longing for liberty, and Italians have not forgotten the sympathy which England showed to Italy
J. ELLIS BARKER.
Between Friende. A country
from our subscription