16 DECEMBER 1911, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

IN the region of foreign affairs there is not much of special importance to record. The war news from Tripoli is practically nil, a sign in all probability that the Italians are preparing some considerable movement. A significant fact is the continued campaign against Italy which is kept up in the Austrian Press. Count Aehrenthal's well-known desire to continue on friendly terms with Italy is made the subject for attack, and he is accused of neglecting the defences of Austria on the Italian frontier. The state of repair of the Triple Alliance may be gauged from sentiments of this kind. The diplomatists will have to coin a new phrase : "The hostile and allied Power to which we are bound by special obligations of friendship."