The delay in re-forming the Italian Ministry is believed to
have been due to the King's determination that the alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy should be renewed for five years. This determination, which was shared by S. Depretis and Count Robilant, but not approved by some groups within the Chamber, has at length been carried out, the Treaty having been actually signed. Its precise provisions are not known ; but it is understood that if any of the signatory Powers are attacked, the others will advance to its relief, and that in return the claims of Italy in the Mediterranean will be strongly sup- ported. It is calculated that the three Powers can resist Russia and France in combination, and the French Government is consequently most indignant at the ingratitude of Italy. Nations are never grateful ; but the French forget that their master took full territorial pay for his service to Italy, without completing his bargain ; that Prussia, not France, gave Italy Rome; and that for sixteen years the Italians have been subjected to every variety of mortification at the hands of France. In its present hands and with its present ideas, the French Republic has a perfect genius for alienating its natural friends, without acquiring any compen- sation either in influence or in fresh alliances.
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