THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11884, 21 January 1914, Page 4

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Some time ago some of the French newspapers raised a question as to the Mediterranean obligations of Italy towards the other members of the Triple Alliance, and vice versa. This resulted in an important statement on the subject in "The Times." That paper declares that there is no reason to believe that the said obligations, "or absence of obligations,'' was changed when the Triple Alliance was renewed fifteen months ago. As regards the treaty engagements of Italy towards her allies, the Mediterranean situation is the same as it has been since the renewal of the alliance in .1902. The occupation of Morocco by France and of Libya by Italy have, it is true, modified, by fulfilment, the older FrancoItalian conventions in regard to the Mediterranean, but "The Times" believes there to be no obstacle, in the form of treaty engagements between Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Germany, to a revival of the cordial and confidential relationship that exists between Italy and France before the unfortunate incidents connected with the Italian campaign in Tripoli. Those incidents were settled in such a manner as to give ample satisfaction to Italy. The identification of Italy with the standpoint and aspirations of one, at 'least, of her allies in the Greco-Albanian question has tended to obscure the fact that in other respects the position of Ttaly is unchanged. There is no reason why it should be beyond the power of French and Italian diplomatists and responsible publicists gradually to remove whatever misconceptions may have arisen in regard to the reciprocal positions of France and Italy in the Mediterranean, mid thus.to prepare the way for mature consideration of the issues arising out of tho new situation in North Africa and the imsettlod situation in the Aegean. It will be readily recognised that this statement, apart from the particular questions referred to, has an important bearing upon the balance of power in Europe. If Italy should eventually become, detached from the Triple Alliance the effect would be far-reach-ing, j