The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1915. WAITING FOR THE PROPITIOUS MOMENT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2447, 28 April 1915, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1915. WAITING FOR THE PROPITIOUS MOMENT

Has Italy definitely decided to entor the fighting arena ? The' Italian Government has hesitated so long that many people will' not bo convinced that it Ims really made up its mind to take part in the struggle until it has committed the first act of war. But if what appears to bo an officially-inspired Note which has been published in the Echo <lc Paris is to bo believed an agreement providing for Italy's intervention is nearing conclusion. Quite a number -of recent happenings have indicated that Italy has been making her final preparations for war. It is now stated that Germany has practically abandoned her attempt to reconcile Austria and Italy,_ and that the German Ambassador is making ready to leave Rome. It certainly looks as if the number of belligerents will soon be increased by one at least, and probably by more than one, for it is generally understood that Italy and Rumania have decided upon concerted action, and public opinion in Greece is undoubtedly strongly in favour of giving active assistance to the Allies. It is foolish to gird at Italy or to blame her for her hesitation. She has a perfect right to consult her own interests, and attempts to force her hand may do more harm than good. She must be the arbiter of her own destiny. The refusal of tho Italian Government to 00-operate with the two other members of the Triple Alliance was a great disappointment to Germany ana Austria. Finding' that threats were useless the authorities at Berlin endeavoured to induce Italy to maintain &• neutral attitude by offering her portions of Austrian territory. Austria very naturally objected, but she is in a desperate predicament, and seems to have so far yielded to German pressure as to make certain offers regarding the future _of her Italian provinces, but according to latest news her proposals fall far short of Italy's demands. The Rome correspondent of The Times states that Italy's position is difficult in the extreme, and the difficulty is reflected by the uncertainty of public opinion. There are very many Italians, and their numbers are increasing, who wantItaly to throw all her weight on the side of the Entente. They believe that this is the only way to secure a fitting place in the new Europe. Others hold that Italy ought not to abandon her neutrality. "The issue lies between those who dream and those who dread—those who dream of a greater Italy and those who dread the pricc." Four Republicans recently asked the Premier (Signor Salanbka) how much truth there was in the rumoured diplomatic negotiations apparently derogatory to the country's dignity and interests. He refused to answer, but the Colonial Minister subsequently approached the Republicans and remarked: "You assume that we are playing German music because Sionok Sai.andju has visited Sionor Oiomtti and Phince Bulow has visited Siaftoß Sat. and ha. I assure you there is no truth in the rumour circulated." If Italy can get all she wants without fighting she is Jiardly likely to go to war'; Out it is almost impossible for Austria to concede all her demands, and it has been pointed out that an agreement with the Entente Powers is nccessary to secure her Mediterranean interests. She has also to take into consideration the fact that the opening of the Dardanelles will cmts otiifcp mUmUm w gs-rclt m Mcaitwft»ea»- ■

The aims and aspirations of Italy are summed up in the following extract from an article in the Giornale (Vltalia

Italy has a frontier problem which has oppressed her like a yoke, and is due to the unfortunate war of 1866, which forced her, when she took the Venetian provinces, to accept a limit, which for nfty years has been a threat. Now that tile configuration of Europe, and perhaps of a great part of the world, is about to be decided, we must, and will, obtain by every means a frontier which, politically, and from a military point of view, is not absurd and a danger, and this independent of the ideal patrimony which we must defend at any cost. An anti-Italian policy in' the Ttalinn provinees within her borders was Austria's fatal mistake, which cannot, and must not. continue. Those Italians, must be saved from destruction. Besides, a nation of thirty-seven million inhabitants, almost entirely on the sea, a great exporter of men, and constantly developing in Hie agricultural, industrial, and commercial worlds, needs expansion beyond the seas, especially in the Mediterranean. It is reasonable to assume that these desires were embodied in the claims which Italy has made in response to inquiries from Berlin. But we are told that Austria, and Germany regard them as preposterous, whereas the Entente Powers arc said to have recognised Italy's claims regarding Trent, Trieste, and the Dalmatian Archipelago, and it is reportod that the only question still unsettled is that relating to Italy's interests in the Aegean Sea and Asia Minor. The intervention of Italy would certainly compel Greece, Rumania, and Bulgaria to reconsider their position. A cablegram which appeared in yesterday's issue of The Dominion stated that reports from Brindisi declare that Greece is abandoning her neutrality' and joining with tbe Allies, but no date' has yet been fixed for the commencement of hostilities. M. Venizelos, the ex-Premier of Greece, recently expressed tbe opinion that the new Cabinet would very soon be forced by the course of events to take part in the conflict. He Baid that Greece must assist in the dismemberment of Turkey, if for no other reason than to put an end to tbe sys-. tematic persecution of the large Greek population in Turkey, which is throwing upon Greece the serious financial burden' of supporting .v million destitute refugees. M. Venizelos is of opinion that if Greece .joins the Allies Bulgaria will be forced to follow her example. There can be no doubt that tile attack on the Dardanelles is giving the Governments of Italy and the Balkan States much food for thought. The capture of Constantinople and the fall. of the Ottoman Empire would involve extensive rearrangements of territory and_ spheres of influence. Italy, Htimania, and Greece are becoming more and more inclined to join in the fray, but there is much doubt as to Bulgaria's attitude. Efforts are being made to bring about a reconciliation between Servia and Bulgaria. If Bulgaria would agree to act in concert with the other Balkan States the wa-y for decisive action would bo made clear. The "propitious moment,'' for which the Greek Foreign Minister says his Government is now waiting, would then arrive.