A recent speech by Signor Prinetti in the Italian Parlia-
ment has spread abroad two ideas,—that Italy is abandoning the Triple Alliance for the sake of better relations with France, and that France in return has agreed that Italy shall be regarded as the reversionary heir of Tripoli, and may take any means of establishing her direct authority over that dependency of Turkey. It is added that Great Britain has agreed to this arrangement, and that the Sultan has strongly remonstrated against the use of indiscreet language with reference to a Turkish possession. We greatly fear that matters are not nearly so far advanced. It would be decidedly to English interests to interpose Italy—who is compelled by her geographical situation to remain our friend—between French Africa and Egypt, but there are many considerations to induce Italy to hesitate. It is not safe for her to abandon the Triple Alliance unless Russia and France will accept her as a full partner, and it is doubtful if her strength is ade- quate to the conquest of Tripoli, which is the last stronghold of Mussulman fanaticism in North Africa. The wish to acquire Tripoli, and with it security for Sicily, is no doubt strong in Italy, but the result of the adventure on the Red Sea gave a great shock to Italian opinion. Italians wish for expansion, but not at the price of years of terribly expensive war.
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