While Lord Cranborne was talking about Italy and . our foreign
-relations in the Commons, M. Delcasse was making an important statement as to French foreign policy in the Chamber of Deputies which was also specially concerned with Italy. His references to France's southern neighbour Were, we • aTe 'glad to say,' most friendly, -and 'she' inilliated 1. that France had had assurances' that the renewal Of the Triple Alliance, as far as Italy is concerned, was by no means a menace to the Republic. "The King's Government had itself taken care to clear up the situation, and make it precise," and had shown " that in no case, and under no form, could Italy become either the instrument or the auxiliary of an aggression against our country." Italy's explanation showed, in fact, that "nothing any longer impedes the development of a friendship that has already had fertile consequences." This is a most important declaration. The Times correspondent hastens to dot the " i's " by showing how the most recent trend of French foreign policy is to abandon her former attitude of submission in regard to the lost provinces and to make her reassert her claims. But France has determined that in doing this she will not plunge all Europe into war. If and when the struggle comes, it must be a duel with Germany alone. Therefore the primary aim of France is to isolate Germany and to assure other Powers that no aggression against them is intended. France wishes to spare Europe a general conflict, and only asks that if the duel proves unavoidable, Europe shall make a ring round the combatants. But it is surely also to the interests of Britain to see Germany isolated, and therefore we ought not to oppose French aspirations in this direction, but rather assist them. Germany isolated, and watched in that isolation by France, would have far less time on her hands for vilifying all things British and for doing her best to i3ew discord between us and Russia and America. The telegram to Mr. Kruger would never have emanated from an isolated Germany.
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