EDITORIAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11359, 10 April 1915, Page 7

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The reports from Rome this morning Austria's position are pregnant with groat Tito vitiUition in Aust i i;t is fa'-t becoming critical and tho rumour from Vienna that the Government has opened pourparlers to members 'of vls Trip'o f-'tt-tente if it is not oiiii-i.iliy true probably voices tho wi.-.h of tho common people. Tho Austrian looses in the Carpathians, it' wo are to ere. lit the Hitman commuuuiuo, haw ii-'eii immense. The communique further shows that the ammunition, factories fire unable to cope with the demand for munitions. Au>i.ria 1m hem described as tho Achilles heel or Germany anil everyihing noisus to a dramatic confirmation of thU view.

Tt now appear* that llaU ha- ivm worked her little emtio of 1 >U;rev-lit-cvy from Austria a> a bribe for her neutrality. Austria has proved obdurate. From the outbreak of the European oonflagration Signor Umlitu. ftn ox-Italian premier. and hi- uartv urged the Italian people to remain neutral since all that was wamod from Austria could be luul through diplomatic negotiations. In this policy t.iolitti was supported by many Italian newspapers, and a great many arguments were published in the* Press proving what Italy might expo*'! from Austria by remaining neutral.

The pill offered to Austria, however, proved too nauseating to swallow, and an Austrian journal, the " Freindeitblatt," itated that unless Austria found herself reduced to tho position of a fifth-rate Power* she would not yield oven art inch of territory to Italy. The immediate effect of this categorical and obviously inspired statement was the complete cessation of the pro-neutraliay campaign in the Italian Press. Commenting on Italy's position in regard to her probable participation in tho war on the side of the Allies tho "New Age" says:— It need not be assumed that the Italian war parties—and- thero are several groups of them, from the most reactionary Conservatives to the most rabid Progressives—are planning a war of conquest similar to tho German raid on Belgium. If part of England had been overrun by, say, Ck-rntant. in the middle of the last wmury, i;,wi if the comities? of Norfolk and Suffolk, still populated almost entirely ov Englishspeaking people, wore ruled over by the enemy, we might cherish feelsimilar to those of the North'lhi and Central Italians when they ■think of their " unredeemed M provinces. The advocates of small nationalities and their rights hare always earnestly advocated tho restoration of Trieste and the Trerftino, if not part of Dalmatia, to Italy; hut tho Austrian Government, supported, of course, by the German Government, haii invariably refused to consider- such proposals' as practical politics. Tim Italian-speaking provinces ot Austria were take.n by the sword; and if they are to be retaken it must, h-e by the sword. That, is tho clear answer of Vienna to the efforts ol those who wish to seo a. peaceful restoration of t-errit-ory. No a,mount of discussion will settle the question. Xo arguments, even if the attachment. or rather passion, of the Italian for land and people which, by all the principles of language and race, they regard as belonging to Italy proper.

Apart from the sentimental considerations there are strategic reasons why Italian statesmen are looking anxioufiv towards Trieste aud Dalmatia. Itis a standing strategic maxim tht Italy i.> not safe as long as these provinces are in the hands of a potential enemy. Ihe Romans at latex stages in their history always made a point of securing the command of these two provinces before embarking on a great campaign. Austria, on tho other hand, was never designed to be a maritime Power any more than Biwaria; and all her efforts to reach the sea—directed. let it bo remembered, largely from Germany—have taken her through territory which has always been utterly alien to her. Trieste and Dalmatia belong as naturally to Itely as they belong unnaturally to Austria. NEWS FROM EGYPT. The " Star " will be pleased to receive for publication letters which have been sent by soldiers serving with the Expeditionary Force to their relatives and friends at home. Manuscript will be carefully copied and returned to the senders Immediately.

THK SULTAN OF EGYPT. Who.-,< assassination v.as atiet;iiurd on Thursday. An Etv>ptiau iived a revolver nt him as ho was leaving ihe i'alace, hut tho bullet missed its mark.