ITALIAN ACTIVITY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16744, 28 December 1914, Page 6

ITALIAN ACTIVITY.

There is a strong temptation to l>elieve that Italy will not remain long out of the war. Indeed, ever 6ince the reconstruction of the Cabinet the indications have pointed in the direction of intervention, and just now it looks rather as if the Government were seeking for an excuse to quarrel with Turkey. However, the warlike activities of the nation are limited at tho mo ment to the policing of Albania. Marines were landed at Valona, on the Albanian coast) during October in '»rder to restrain the turbulent Albanians and to protect the foreign residents of tho city. The Prince of Wied had withdrawn and there appeared to be no probability of peace being established in tho country, and if Italy had not stepped in Greece would undoubtedly have seized the excuse for establishing herself at Valona. Following on this development an Italian force occupied the little island of Saseno, which dominates the approaches to Valona harbour. Saseno, by the way, was grouped with the lonian islands until quite recently. It was under the Britisa protectorate established in 1815, and was transferred to Greece in 1861 When tho formation of a new and independent Albania was under consideration an objection was raised to tho Greek occupation of an island that dominated Valona, and finally Saseno was taken from Greece and transferred to Albania. This was arranged in tho protocbl of Florence in December vi last year, and the Greek garrison was withdrawn only in June of this year. The Italian occupation is stated to he for the purposes of preserving orde." only, but it is clear that if the Austrian campaign against Servia had progressed favourably it might have beeu followed by Austrian intervention in Albania, in which case the Italian position would have been an important one Presumably the Italian occupation of Valona has. been made with the approval of Greece, which is the other Power most intimately concerned. Italy would be glad to have a footing on the coast, but it is difficult to believe that the interests of Montenegro and Servia, as active allies of the Entente in the war, will be overlooked in tlie final settlement and the outcome may well be to give Servia an outlet to the seat at Kavala or Valona. If Italy comes into the war she will seek her compensation at the head of the Adriatic and concessions in that direction would probably induce her to waive her claim to a voice in the settlement of the Albanian problem. It is too soou to discuss these problems, but there is a feeling that the whole question of the Balkans will be reopened, and British opinion is believed to favour the view that the extension of tho Servian territory to the coast, the inclusion of Scutari in Montenegro and the transfer of Janina to Greece would facilitate an arrangement of boundaries more acceptable to Bulgaria. Jn the meantime Albania is in a state of chaos, and both Italy and Greece are busy protecting their special interests in the country.