[Illustration: MATER DOLOROSA]
“Gott strafe Italien!”
When Italy, still straining at the leash which held her, helpless, to
the strange and unnatural Triplice, began to show signs of awakening
consciousness, Germany’s efforts to lull her back to the unhappy
position of silent partner in the world-crime were characteristic of
her methods. Forthwith Italy was loaded with compliments. The country
was overrun with “diplomats,” which is another name in Germany for
spies. Bribery of the most brazen sort was attempted. The newspapers
recalled in chorus that Italy was the land of art and chivalry, of song
and heroism, of fabled story and manly effort, of honour and loyalty.
Hark to the _Hamburger Fremdenblatt_ of February 21st, 1915:--
“The suggestion is made that Italy favours the Allies.
Preposterous! Even though the palsied hand of England--filled with
robber gold--be held out to her, Italy’s vows, Italy’s sense of
obligation, Italy’s _word once given_, can never be broken. Such a
nation of noblemen could have no dealings with hucksters.”
Germany is, indeed, a fine judge of a nation’s “word once given” and
a nation’s “vows,” which its Chancellor unblushingly declared to be
mere scraps of paper. Now let us see what the _Hamburger Nachrichten_
had to say about Italy immediately after her secession from the Triple
Alliance:--“_Nachrichten_, June 1st, 1915.--That Italy should have
joined hands with the other noble gentlemen, our enemies, is but
natural. It would, of course, be absurd--where all are brigands--were
the classical name of brigandage not included in the number.... We
do not propose to soil our clean steel with the blood of such filthy
Italian scum. With our cudgels we shall smash them into pulp.”
“_Gott strafe Italien_” indeed! Bombs on St. Mark’s in Venice, on the
Square of Verona, on world treasures unreplaceable. The poisoned breath
of Germany carries its venom into the land of sunshine and song, whose
best day’s work in history has been to wrest itself free from the grip
of the false friend.