File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎157v] (312/450)

Thus, the “ Stampa” (18th) prints a long article from its Petrograd correspondent,
Virtdnio Gayda, urging that the Government should lose no time in coming to an under
standing with the Allies on the question of Italy’s interests in Asia Minor and the
Balkans. Gayda makes the following main points :
1. England and Pussia have twice discussed, and apparently have now settlec^
their Eastern and Near Eastern relations. On both these occasions Italy
seems to have been absent.
2. The Eastern question is, then, approaching its solution. Italy is the Ally of the
Powers that opened it, and who are now about to solve it. ^ She ought to
have from her Allies an explicit recognition of her Oriental interests.
3. Salonica is almost certain to be taken aw r ay from Greece and internationalised,
and Italy must have her part in the matter, t here is also question of the
southern limits of the new Serbia—again of interest to Italy. _ ^
4. Finally, there is the question of the Straits, of Constantinople, and of Pussia s
entry into the Mediterranean, with which is involved the question of Asia
Minor—of vital importance for Italy. Before the war four Powers
England, Pussia, France, and Germany—had reached a definite agreement
by means of reciprocal concessions. This agreement is important, because it
provides a ready-made scheme for the new agreement under discussion
among the Allies, which is to substitute actual possession for concessions of
influence in Asiatic Turkey—Germany’s share now apparently being
assigned to France.
Italy came late to Asia Minor, and only obtained a conditional concession from the
Gulf of Budrum as far as Adana. And even this was contested by her neighbours—by
the Germans and Austrians, and, moreover, by the English, vdio wished to keep Italy
out of the Gulf of Budrum, and who talked of a plot on the part of the Triple Alliance
to get command of the Eastern Mediterranean.
It seemed that there was no place for Italy in Asia Minor while she formed part of
the Triple Alliance. But now the position is changed. Italy has taken her part in the
war, and has a right to her part in the settlement. England was very liberal in her
offers to Greece earlier in the war, and Italy ought surely to rank before Greece.
The correspondent concludes by again urging that Italian troops should be sent to
Salonica, as a symbol of Italy’s interest in the Eastern question. (This article was, of
course, written before the Salonica landing was made public, and was followed by the
editorial note to which reference has already been made in the last Summary. It was
also published in the “ Mattino ” (Naples), which shares the “ Stampa’s” news service.)
On the 20 th the “ Corriere della Sera ” followed with an article by Senator
Leopold© Franchetti:—
In view of eventual peace negotiations and of the attempts which are sure to be
made to create trouble between the Allies, it is to be hoped that a stable settlement
may early be reached, which will leave no question open that may be a source of danger
to peace. To this end the claims of all parties should be clearly made known, so that
Governments may have public opinion behind them.
Italy’s legitimate aspirations are modest in comparison with those of the other
Allies, for any expansion outside the lines of her natural development would exhaust
rather than strengthen her power.
For Italy’s right in Libya and Erithraea and Benadir, Dr. Franchetti refers his
readers to his own pamphlet on the subject, adding that it would be only reasonable
that the zones of influence to which Italy’s right was recognised by Great Britain m
the protocols of 1891 and 1874 (Kassala) should be restored to her, and that French
Somaliland (a small strip of territory, originally occupied as a menace to Italy—-a
purpose incompatible with present Franco-Italian relations) should be ceded to Italy m
exchange for some fair equivalent.
As regards Asia Minor, the parts which the Turks would continue to occupy would
become “ zones of influence,” the rest possessions of the Allies.
The lines of eventual partition were clearly indicated. Russia could have Armenia,
i the Asiatic coast of the Black Sea, the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmora, and the
Dardanelles. Enaland would take the nnrt ni Alexandretta. to he the terminus of the