h would be certain to
sow the seed for future wars. This is, I believe, the view taken by
most deep-thinking Italians. The Italianization of the Adriatic's
eastern seaboard would result, moreover, in raising a barrier against
the legitimate expansion of the Balkan Slavs and would end the Serbian
dream of an outlet to the sea. But the statesmen who are shaping
Italy's policies are, I am convinced, too sensible and too far-seeing
to commit so grave a blunder. Were I to hazard a prophecy--and
prophesying is always a poor business--I should say that, no matter
how conclusive a victory the Allies may achieve, neither
Austria-Hungary nor Serbia will be wholly cut off from the salt water.

Events in the less remote theatres of war have prevented the Italian
occupation of Albania from attracting the attention it deserves. The
operations in that region have, moreover, been shrouded in mystery;
foreigners desiring to visit Albania have met with polite but firm
refusals; the published reports of the progress of the Albanian
expedition--which, by the way, is a much larger force than is
generally supposed--have been meagre and unsatisfying. The Italians
figure, I fancy, on making their occupation as extensive and as solid
as possible before the Albanian question comes up for international
discussion.

If Italy's ambitions in Dalmatia bring her into collision with the
Slavs, her plans for expansion in Albania are bound to arouse the
hostility of the Greeks. The Italian troops at Argyocastro are
occupying territory which Greece looks on as distinctly within her
sphere of influence, and they menace Janina itself. Though Italy has
intimated, I believe, that her occupation of Albania is not to be
regarded as permanent, she is most certainly on the eastern shore of
the Adriatic to stay, for her commercial and political interests will
not permit her to have a Haiti or a Mexico at her front door. So I
rather fancy that, when the peacemakers deal out the cards upon the
green-topped table, Albania will become Italian in name, if not in
fact, under a control similar to that which the French exercise in
Morocco or the British in Egypt. And it will be quite natural, for
there is in the Albanians a strong streak of Italian.

The settlement of this trans-Adriatic problem is going to require the
most cautious and delicate handling. How far will Italy be permitted
to go? How far may Serbia come? Shall Austria be cut off from the sea?
Is Hungary