It is a horrid business governing. Lord Salisbury thought he
had satiafied everybody by his African agreement, and now the Italians are ready to bite both us and the French. They have always hoped to secure Tripoli when Turkey falls in, and now they say Tripoli will go the French, who already obtain its hinterland. There are to be great debates in Rome, and perhaps efforts to excite the jealousy of the Sultan against the agreement. We always wish Italy to have what she wants, but we really do not see how Great Britain is to secure to ber claims which have not accrued. Are we to let the French and English quarrel simmer till Turkey has passed away ? We have left the door open by an agreement that we shall not advance to the west, nor France to the east, and with that Italy must be content. When the expected contingency arrives, which may be next week or a century hence, Europe will either fight over the Turkish heritage, in which case an Italian alliance will be valuable, or Europe will sit in con- ference over it, in which case Italy will have as good a vote as any other Great Power. To worry both England and France, while admitting that Tripoli is not affected by the African agreement, is foolish.
