The Star. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1913. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10684, 3 February 1913, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1913. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Judging from a recent lottor from Rome, Ttnly is not happy as a member of the Triplo Alliance. Tt is distinctly unpopular, and the Roman newspapers ninko very adverse comments on tho recent renewal of tho Alliance, especially in viqw of their belief that their Government was forced by Gorman) 7 and Austria to tako this stop, knowing that it was to Italy's detriment. Tho dissatisfied writers point out that in 1902 it was decided to withhold tho announcement of the Alliance for six months in order to enable Italy to improve her relations with Franco and Britain, and to sign special conventions with these Powers regarding tho Mediterranean and Africa. Germany, however, paid no heed to tho Italian wishos and prematurely announced the renewal of the Alliance, and this tho writers assert was a proof that Italy was really obliged to follow the foreign policy of her allies. Something similar has happened now. It was agreed to announce the renewal of tho Alliance only after the Balkan matter had been settled, but Austria was in a great hurry to inform Europe that Italy had again been obliged to follow her- two Teuton associates. There can bo no doubt as "to' the aim of the Alliance. It is obviously aimed at France and her ally across the Channel, and Italy's freedom of action by it is limited. Her critics, therefore, cannot understand why Italy consented to renew tho Alliance seven months before it expired. Until quite recently tho Italian Government had made it officially plain that Italy's intervention in the conflict betweon Austria and Servia would be limited to diplomatic action only, and that her own interests in Albania were opposed to those of Austria. Now, however, this is stultified by the renewal. It certainly wards off the danger of Italy getting into any conflict with Austria, but it weakens her relations with the Latin peoples. It is to bo regretted _ that the traditional friendship with Britain, the improved relations with France,, and the support of Russia, who form the Triple Entente —all of which were so advantageous to her during her recent war with Turkey—should be sacrificed to the Triple Alliance, which can have only the effect of diminishing Italy's prestige and independence. In consequence of tho adverse criticisms Of the-Roman Press, the Italian Government has hastened to announce that the treaty was only renewed for six instead of twelve years, but the assurance does not satisfy the critics, who contend that,.she. could very well have done without the Allianco at all.