The speech as a whole seems to have been well
received by all parties. Certainly the friends of Italy, such as we are glad to count ourselves, have nothing to find fault with in these general expressions of Italian policy. Italy is quite right to do the utmost she can for herself in very trying and dangerous circumstances. As to the best way of applying these agreed principles opinion will no doubt differ. The Italian Government, we may feel sure, have carefully con- sidered and determined what issue of the great contest will best suit Italy's interests. Therefore the immediate problem for them is—" Is it safe simply to await passively the development we desire, or ought we to help to hasten that development by action, even though it may demand great sacrifices P " In other words, how far can Italy afford to rely upon the proverb, " Everything comes to those who wait," and how far must she temper this by remembering the other wise proverb, "Providence helps those who help themselves "? We can only express the fervent hope—and we are sure it is the hope and desire of the whole British people—that the decision of the Italian Government, whatever it may be, will end well for Italy.
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