Gaetano Salvemini - La politica estera italiana dal 1871 al 1915

The Italo-Turkish War The "dance on eggs" would have lasted indefinitely had it not been abruptly ended by the very event all were trying to avoid - the war between the Balkan States and Turkey. In March 1912, the governments of Bulgaria and Serbia had formed- an alliance against Turkey. In the following May, a treaty of alliance was drawn up between the governments of Bulgaria and Greece. The accords were secret. But their effects became manifest in the three countries by a growing anti-Turkish agitation in the press and in politica! circles. Macedonia was in complete anarchy. With the return of Spring, the Albanians were once again in revolt. The Turkish Army was undermined by politica! rivalry be– tween various groups of officers and by discontent among the soldiers. However much they feared the unpopularity of peace with Italy, the politicians in power at Constantinople could not fail to realize that they must eliminate Italy from the number of their foes if they meant to weather the storm which was fast gathering on the Balkan peninsula. The national treasury was empty and the millions of indemnity which the Italians allow– ed them to hope for should they agree to peace, woud be more than welcome. In May, the German Government made the first move along the path of wisdom by transferring, from Constantinople to London, the ambassador Marschall von Biberstein who, during the preceding months, had incited the Turks to intransigence. Moreover, Berchtold gave Constantinople to under– stand that further prolongation of the war would mcrease the danger · for Turkey of a crisis in the Balkan peninsula. 6. T he peace of Ouchy In June, Constantinople and Rome agreed that peace should be negotiat– ed in tangling than in disentangling the snarled skein. The exchange of views began in Switzerland on July 12th. During those same days, in Italy, the Minister of the Navy and the Chief of the Genera! Staff, unbeknown - it would appear - to Giolitti and San Giuliano, resolved to send Italian torpedo-boats once again to penetrate the Straits and sink the Turkish warships. No operation was to take place against the Turkish forts in order not to violate article VII of the Treaty of Triple Alliance. The attempt was made during the night of the 18th of July. Pive Italian torpedo-boats proceeded about twenty miles down the Straits and reached Chiank, about two miles from the Turkish fleet. Here, they were discovered. Searchlights made the sea as bright as day and volleys of shelles from the land batteries swept its surface. The commander of the expedition understood that he would uselessly sacrifice materia! and men if he persisted in his attempt. He safely retreated through the enemy fire. This fiasco was greeted in Italy by the press and the public with delirious enthusiasm as if 449 BibliotecaGino Bianco