WHY ITALY WILL FIGHT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2466, 20 May 1915, Page 9

WHY ITALY WILL FIGHT

THE GARIBALDIAN INFLUENCE

EFFECT ON BALKAN STATES

DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN

The reasons why Italy must enter the aiena of war and tight on the side of the Allies, and also some of tho probable effects of her decision, were discussed in an interview given to a Dowmos reporter yesterday by Mr. H. G, Balakian, an Armenian merchant, now visiting Wellington. Mr. Balakian has been 18 years a resident of Melbourne, but he is a close student of European politics bo far as they affect the Near feist.

"My opinion is that Italy will fight 011 the side of Great Britain and France, as it is wholly in her interests that she should do so," said Mr. Balakian. "Bismarck, long beforo 1882, thought to form the Triple Alliance in order to realise his great dream of a paramount Germany. At that time, howover, he saw no_ inclination 011 the part of Italy to fall into line. In 1882, when France annexed Tunis, Bismarck, taking advantage of the excited state of Italy at France's action, approached tho Court of Roma, with a promise that Germany would take Algeria and Tunis from France, and Tripoli from Turkoy. He offered also to cede the whole of North Africa to Italy if she would become a member of the pre-planned Triple Alliance.

Trlpiloe and Entente. "Italy, forced by her fear of Franc© concerning the annexation of Tunis, accepted the proposal, but, with diplomatic foresight, insorted a clause providing that she should help her partners, Germany and Austria, only if they were, attacked by other Towers. It was to be a defensive alliance on her part. Through the admirable statesmanship of King Edward, the Entente Cordiale was formed with France, a wise step indeed for Great Britain. Great Britain gave France clearly to understand that their mutual. interests in the Mediterranean Sea demanded that they must be on good terms with their natural ally, Italy. Of course, the principal object, to a good understanding between France and Italy was Tripoli. France, strongly advised by Great Britain, stretched out her hand to Italy, saying, "Come, _ let us be friends. We have mutual interests in the Mediterranean Sea, and, at the same time, we are sister nations." Italy replied, 'Yes, that is all very well; but what about Tripoli?' 'If you {jot. a chance to take it, well, take it,' nnswercd France. Immediately tlio friendship was cemented, and it has never since cooled.

The Next Socne In the Drama. "In consoquence of this understanding, in the course of tho Algeciras conference Italy expressed her great sympathy with Great Britain and France concerning Morocco. This not only eurprised and annoyed Germany, but from that moment Germany's reliance on Italy as an ally began to weaken. Ever since then she lias looked with a certain amount of suspicion upon Italy. The next scene in this world's drama shows Germany making secret bargains with Turkey to get Tripoli. Great Britain and France urged Italy not to miss the chance of seizing Tripoli, and once more Germany's equilibrium was upset when Italy went to war with Turkey. She said bitter words to Italy, but the answer came: 'You supported Austria in 1908' to get Bosnla-Herzogovina. To even things, support me to get Tripoli.' _ Thus Germany had a taste of Italy's independent spirit, and sho did not at all relish it. All the same, Italy, after the war with Turkey, gained Tripoli.

The Balkans. "Let us now look at Italian and Austrian interests in Albania. They aro absolutely irreconcilable. Austria brought about the Albanian disorder to open up the pathway to the coveted harbour of Salonika, ivhich Greece won from Turkey in the recent Balkan war. While Austria was trying to crush tho Balkan Slav, Italy was protecting Albania. which borders the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea. Here, at once, were sharply antagonistic interests. To make matters more complicated, Italy began to build fortifications along the Austrian frontier. She has been doing' it for several years past. When Austria occupied Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, in the most open manner, showed great interest in the territory lying along the eastern part of tho Adriatic Sea generally, and in Albania in particular. Russia, seeing the deep interest of Italy in part of the Balkan peninsula, and observing her ill-concealed antagonism to Austria, which is traditional since 1866, when Austria conquered Italy and took Trieste and Fiume and surroundings, went in for a little well-timed diplomacy with excellent results. The Tsar paid a vTsit to the Court of Rome. Ail understanding was arrived at that Italy and Russia should mutually assist each other to oheck Austria's extension in the Balkan Peninsula.