somewhat recuperated from its defeat by Germany in 1871, it was
quite natural that Italy should look to Germany for an alliance to
counteract France's colonial policy. The seizure of Tunis by France
in 1881 undoubtedly was more responsible than any other single
factor for Italy's decision to ally itself as closely as possible
with Germany. Inasmuch as the latter country in the meanwhile had
arrived at a very close understanding with Austria-Hungary, there
were considerable difficulties in the way of an Italian-German
arrangement. For not only was it difficult for Italy to forget its
old struggles and quarrels with Austria, but the southern kingdom
felt very keenly on the subject of the retention on the part of
Austria of territory inhabited by Italians, even though this
territory was comparatively small in extent. This attitude of Italy
toward Austria may be called typical of one nation's attitude toward
another. It shows clearly the unreasonableness of national
sentiments. For even granting that Italy had a good cause for
resenting Austrian rule over Italian-speaking people, the necessity
of possessing this particular strip of country was much greater to
Austria than it was to Italy, giving, as it did, to Austria the only
seaport available, whereas Italy stood in no need whatsoever of
additional opportunities of this nature. However, Italy finally
reached the decision that, between the danger of having to face
alone the further extension of French power in north Africa or
burying the hatchet with Austria, the latter proposition was the
easier and more advantageous. As a result of this decision a treaty
was arranged finally between Germany, Austria, and Italy in 1883,
and this new alignment of three central European powers has since
been known as the Triple Alliance. We must not forget, however, that
in spite of this arrangement Italy never really has been a sincere
friend or well-wisher of Austria, and it is this fact which formed
the basis for the final disruption of the Triple Alliance and the
entrance of Italy in the war of 1914 on the side of the Triple
Entente.

The arrangement with Austria and Germany enabled Italy to enter upon
a colonial policy in Africa in the vicinity of the Red Sea. As has
been the case of all other colonial powers, this undertaking was
wrought with a great many difficulties. It forced Italy to fight
wars in distant countries, expensive in money as well as in human
life, and though, in sp