Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6054, 13 April 1881, Page 4

The Tunisian difficulty may beconv an European question, but it is no likely to lead to a conflict. The Frencl Government has played a high game but whilst avowing its determinatioi to exercise supreme control in thii appanage of the Turkish Empire, am supporting it by the despatch of 10,00( additional troops to Algeria, announce: that it does not contemplate annexa tion. The last stage in this matter i: the protest of the Bey against th( violation of his territory and his appea to Europe for protection. . The out come of the affair will very mucl depend upon the • course pursuec by Italy, the only Power vital lj interested. England has also consider able interests involved, but, whilst sht must incline to Italy, will probably b( quite disinclined to magnify the im portance of the step taken by th< French Government. It may be, how ever, that Germany and Austrn anxious to bind Italy to their side a: against ITrance and Russia, may although not interested in the question give her a firm support. But assuredly neither will encourage her in anj warlike action, because neither car be disposed at the present time foi a conflict with France. The policy ol the new Emperor of Russia has yet tc be declared,. and, pending that, thej mil be disposed whilst giving Italj their diplomatic support not to proceec further. Inasmuch as France will have opposed to her the public opinion of al the Great Powers, with the exception probably, of Russia, she is not likelj to take any course that might brim the British and Italian fleets on th< scene, because it is* probable that Eng land might not assent to the annexatior of Tunis, although, having occupied th< Island of Cyprus, she cannot com* into Court with clean hands. As for the violation of Tunisian territory, and the protest and appeal fO2 protection of the Bey, they will hardly receive much notice. "We shall probably hear that for the violation of territory France has made the amende honorable, and that the Great Powers will content themselves with her disavowal of any attention to annex. The role of Italy will be the most dim cult, because the new Government may be pledged to energetic action, and Parliament may compel it. It may be expected, however, that in such a case Germany and Austria will interfere, and be assisted by the personal influence of the King. For Germany and Austria the squabble is a great gain. The relations of France and Ttaly have been very dubious for some time, and the present contention will throw Italy more entirely into their hands.