This undertaking brought her to the brink of a war with Austria, which, as the supreme Power in the Balkan Peninsula, can never tolerate the encroachment of Italy into those regions.
The Triple Alliance, which in itself represents a natural league, has suffered a rude shock.

The ultimate reason for this result is found in the fact that the parties concerned with a narrow, short-sighted policy look only to their immediate private interests, and pay no regard to the vital needs of the members of the league.

The alliance will not regain its original strength until, under the protection of the allied armies, each of the three States can satisfy its political needs.

We must therefore be solicitous to promote Austria's position in the Balkans, and Italy's interests on the Mediterranean.

Only then can we calculate on finding in our allies assistance towards realizing our own political endeavours.