On Friday week Signor Tittoni made an important speech in
the Italian Chamber on foreign policy. He was apologetic and explanatory throughout, and showed how great had been the effect on the Government of the recent damaging criticisms. He confessed that in his speech at Carats he bad failed to express his opinion that alterations in existing Treaties, such as those introduced by Austria-Hungary, were inexcusable without the consent of all the signatories ; and that he had assumed too easily that the modifications in Articles XXV. and XXIX. of the Treaty of Berlin would be generally recognised as desirable. He had, in fact, displayed too much "'sincerity " in anticipating events. The Times correspon- dent says that Signor Tittoni's statement was received with coldness at first, but with more sympathy towards the end. The violent criticisms of Signor Tittoni's policy seem to mean, not that Italians wish to end the Triple Alliance, but that they do resent being asked to subordinate their interests to those of Austria-Hungary, especially when. that involves accepting her anti-European conduct as a matter of course. They desire to preserve their right of independent judgment, and it is one of the few happy auguries for the future of Europe that they should have insisted on this point. It was not till Signor Tittoni had blessed the principles of his assailants that the Government policy was formally approved by 276 votes against 134.
