Italy On The Sea.

New York Times 100 years ago today, September 29, 1912:
German Paper on Concentration of French Fleet in Mediterranean.
    BERLIN, Sept. 19,— In the course of an article dealing with the concentration of the French fleet in the Mediterranean, the Frankfurter Zeitung says:
    "The French newspapers which are convinced of the high political significance of this measure have, with their wonted frankness, betrayed against whom it is directed. It strengthens the Triple Entente against the Triple Alliance.
    "We know that the latter falls to be renewed next year. From various reports it may be inferred that Italy, as a condition of the renewal of the alliance, has asked that her interests in the Mediterranean should be guaranteed. She must consider the balance of power there threatened when she is concerned for its defense.
    The growing cordiality between Great Britain and France, and now the concentration of the French fleet in the Mediterranean, have evidently perturbed the Italian Government, which appears to fear that, the Mediterranean may be transformed into an Anglo-French sea.
    ''Its proposal that the Triple Alliance should be extended to the Mediterranean is said to have been favorably received in Berlin, and according to one newspaper Germany herself made the proposal. " Germany is not a Mediterranean power, but her position as a world power has necessarily drawn her into the policy of Mediterranean interests. The aim of Italian policy, namely, the freedom of the Mediterranean and the maintenance of the balance of power, can and must be approved by Germany. Austrian policy has evidently the same object. Whether Germany, however, should go so far as to guarantee this object, i.e., to carry on, if need be, a great war on its behalf, must be carefully considered by German statesmen.
    "In our opinion, the apprehension of the Italian statesmen, if not unfounded, is yet exaggerated — for the present, at least. The concentration of the French fleet in the Mediterranean seems to us merely designed to prevent Italy from renewing the Triple Alliance, and transferring to it the defense of its interests in the Mediterranean.
    "Italy is to remain by the side of Great Britain and France; this is the warning intended to be conveyed by the action of France. That a threat and then its execution should follow the warning is incredible, for too many important interests are at stake for Great Britain and France. It will not be easy for Italian statesmen to find the richt answer to the step taken by M. Delcassé."