ITALY AND GERMANY.

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13275, 2 September 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

ITALY AND GERMANY.

Following 011 an editorial article in the "Xew York Times," under the heading "The Strangest Peace," dealing with the non-declaration of war between Italy and Germany. D1 1 Vittorio Racca, a wellknown Italian professor, sent in a long letter explaining the position from an Italian point of view. .Some extracts from the missive ioilow : First-of all, it is asked. "Why did not Italy declare war on Germany?" It is very easy to answer this question. The treaty of the Triple Alliance did not consist of a singlt document, but of three separate treaties one of Germany; with Austria, one of Germany with Italy, and one of Austria with Italy. When the European war broke out Italy saw in the conduct of Austria a violation of her treaty with Italy. Therefore she started negotiations to have the treaty respected, or to receive some compensation. The treaty with Germany was out of question. Furthermore, at least as far as it was ppssible to see, Germany stood by Italy against Austria, and lip to the last moment seemed to exert a pressure 011 her in order to have her grant more concessions to Italy. When Italy saw that Austria was not willing to surrender she denounced her treaty with Austria, and declared war on Austria. Italy did not then follow a similar course as regards Germany, because she did not then have any ground for such an action. But she broke her diplomatic relations with both Germany and Austria. And she expected that Germany would declare war on her. since Italy was at war with her dearest ally, and since the Triple Alliance was void for the very simple fact that, being a pact binding three partners, it could not have any more value after one of them had stated, in due form, that it did not want to have any more connection with one of the other two, and Germany w.n the pivot of that alliance. It was Ger many then, who had to declare war 01 Italy. But, in spite o! the fact that ii Germany they called Italy's course "trea son," that declaration of war. to th amazement of Italy, did not come. It i Geimany who tried to lie devilish!; shrewd, but it is Italy who is blamed. This and no other is the reason wh; Italy at the moment of her joining th Allies did not declare war upon Germany All other explanation is wrong, unwai ranted, or malicious. The fact is. as

me ot ius speeches before the Reichstag; .In l fact that Italy is at war against all the allies of liennany; the more and :iore intimate relations* between Italy and aer Allies fur the prosecution of the war -0 a complete and speitly \iclorv: the Vngl.v Italian commercial alliance. ' (to be{in with) aiming at destroying the lieraan et-.-nomic domination in Italy, and ist, hut not least, the requisition of Gettan merchant ships, notwithstanding the ict that that same action on the pait f Portugal was immediately followed by i declaration of war from Heilin. I'tit what is the secret reason whv Gernany < Imgs so desperately to her'pea<-e----ul relations with Italy V It is very sim ue. Geiiuan investments of everv kiixl n Italy are climated to be about' C 600.XXJ.OOO. Sooner or later this enormous •.mount ot money would be lost if Geinany were at war with Italy. On the .'untraiy. it by a miracle of equilibi imn it •vere possible to preserve it till after the •var, not only Germany would be that ■nuch ) k iier. but. if not politicaliv, .she .vould he able to still dominate Itaiy e< o loinically. And we must never 'tin get that it was because Geimany had been •hrewd enough to take Italy* to her side uul to make her do what jierlin wanted hiougli the complete economic domination of Italy, that Germany was able to lominate Europe and the world dininc -lie last forty years. Finally. Germany is not in the least in :onveniencecl by the fact that she is not at war against Italy; the two countries are aot contiguous, and Germany can perfectly well use Austria any time that she leems it necessary to strike at Italy. In •pite of this she cannot conceal that in tact she is at war with Italy. On .March 17. Dr Karl Helfferich, Secretary of the Imperial Treasury, spoke before the Reichtag of the "daily war expenditures of the nemy, inclusive of Italy. It is prrtertly tine that only recently Italy broke off her commercial relations vith Germany; but only the form of the neasure, and not its contents, is importnt. Italy has long done all that she •ould in order to prevent Germany from laving, through Italy, any goods necesary for the welfare of the population or he prosecution of the war. Having earned months ago that many of the ;oods exported from or passing through taly, and apparently directed to Switzerand, were, in fact, transhipped to Gernany, Italy stopped that evil, in spite f the energetic protests of Switzerland, vhich at a certain moment threatened to ■ever her relations with Italy. As for '.he direct commercial relations between r taly and Germany, though expressly not irohibited, they are reduced to almost nohing by several depositions of the Italian Government forbidding tho exportation of all goods needed at home either by the nation or by the military administration.