ITALY AND FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17361, 7 January 1920, Page 6

ITALY AND FRANCE.

The exfitence since November, 1002, of a diplomatio agreement pledging Italy to neutrality in the event of an unprovoked attack on France , has lor the first time been brought within public knowledge by the publication of its text in an official Green Book. Whether the discovery will occasion any surprise in the Foreign Offices of the Great Powers is, however, doubtful, and the disclosure has now chiefly an academic interest as a link in the historical evidence of the growth in Italy's friendship towards Franca. The Triple Alliance, which was accomplished by Italy's adhesion to the treaty. between Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1882, was a typically arbitrary arrangement by Bismarck. His single purpose was the isolation of France, and having encouraged the latter to occupy Tunis, he thus inflamed Italian suspicions into open resentment, and prepared the deiired atmosphere for the conversations between Rome f and Vienna that led to the signing of the treaty. At the outset it seemed that Italy had gained certain advantages in protection from further aggression from Austria and in the support of powerful allies in her relations with France. The treaty was renewed in 1837, 1891, 1902 and' 1912, but in each case under changed conditions, while from the time of Bismarck's disappearance from the stage of European politics, the antagonism of the Italian view towards Austrian policy and its sympathy with France ' were repeatedly displayed. The 1 1902' agreement with Franceconcluded within four months of the renewal of the Triple Alliance treaty throws new light on Italy's refusal to support Germany in the Moroccan crisis of 1905-6- but it does not seem to have been an active factor in the declaration of neutrality by the Italian Government in August, 1914. Italy had consistently opposed Austria's plans for adventures in the Balkans, and had flatly refused to countenance an attack on Servia, which, according to a statement by Signor Giolitti in December, 1914, was proposed by Austria on August 9, 1913. She'maintained the same firm attitude during the preliminary discussions that culminated in the outbreak of war. When Austria sent her ultimatum to Servia, Italy took action at once. As early as July 5, tho Italian Ambassador in Vienna was instructed that as the Triple Alliance provided for mutual defence against unprovoked aggression—and the threatened outbreak was due to "an act of aggression and provocation on the part of Austria"—"ltaly is under no obligation to help Austria." Moreover before the first declaration of war Italy had warned Berlin and Vienna that if Austria proceeded to destroy the equilibrium in the Balkans, "the Triple Alliance would be irreparably broken." Austria had used the brutal methods of Bismarck, but lacked his cunning, and Italy was at last able to escape from the bonds he had cast about her.