The results of action by Italy such as we have
sketched could only be described as tremendous. The consequences for Italy must also be tremendous. She could be expected to take such a course only if she received from Britain, Russia, and France the most absolute guarantee that they would never desert her, and that they would protect her fully from Germanic and Austro-Hungarian aggression now and in the future. This may seem at first sight too perilous for Italy, but, after all, would not such a guarantee be better than the present precarious guarantee that Austria-Hungary will "go on loving her " P—for this in reality is all that Italy has got. Italy cannot forget that the Brenner always lies open, and that the growth of Austro-Hungarian sea-power is a terrible menace to her as long as she is grouped with the Powers hostile to those who command the sea and who could therefore protect her. This is a danger infinitely greater now that Italy has Tripoli than it was a year or two ago. Italy's position is necessarily one of terrible anxiety, but as her friends we believe that if she bad the courage to strike the blow for peace which we have indicated she would not only achieve her end and secure peace, but would raise herself to a position of the first importance and power. She would have laid the world under an obligation. We shall be told, of course, that our view is fantastic, and that Italy will never dare to do anything of the kind. V 'That may
be, but that is not a reason for our refraining from pointing out what she might do, could do, and must succeed in doing if she had the nerve to undertake the task.
