Note 97 — Chapter II

For analyses of the Italian policy see Rodd to Lansdowne, July 9, 1902, B.D., I, 292 ff., No. 364; Bertie to Lansdowne, Oct. 20, 1903, ibid., 295, No. 366. For the German discussion see below. Mr. Bertie in October, 1903, formulated his conception of the Italian King’s foreign policy as follows: “His aim, I believe, is that Italy should be a link between the several Powers of Europe and at the same time remain a partner in the Triple Alliance: that France should have hopes of drawing Italy away from Austria and Germany, and that those two Powers should be made to feel that an understanding between Italy and France and perhaps even with Russia also is possible. As to England the King probably feels pretty sure that her interests will not seriously clash with those of Italy, and he relies on England standing in the way of French supremacy in the Mediterranean” (Bertie to Lansdowne, Oct. 20, 1903, ibid., 295, No. 366).