The Promotion of a Closer Union between England and Italy

Abstract

THE utility, even the necessity, of a more intimate union between the democracies of the Entente will make itself felt still more urgently after the war than it does now. After the war, in fact, and even if its issues be as we wish and firmly trust they will be, there certainly will still be the danger that the hegemonic aspirations of Germany will again arise, and that she will renew her attempts at economic, technical, and scientific penetration for political purposes. On the other hand, the international division of labour, and the necessity arising from it that each country should avail itself of the complementary production and work of the other countries, will certainly continue after the war; so that, if this division of labour among the countries of the Entente is not organised, and if there does not come to pass a closer intellectual and moral union between Britain, France, and Italy, the last-named country sooner or later cannot but have recourse again, and in large measure, to Germany for all those productions and services needed to complete her own.