s, the most
important of which were the resignation on account of ill health of
Prime Minister Giolitti, the formation of a new cabinet under Signor
Fortis, and the purchase of the railways by the state. The Fortis
ministry lasted only until February, 1906, when it was succeeded by
one headed by Baron Sonnino, and in May by another under Signor
Giolitti. Although Italy had supported Germany at the Algeciras
conference, the support had not been all that had been expected, and
considerable resentment at Italy's lukewarm attitude was expressed
in the German newspapers. The Government disclaimed any change in
its attitude toward the Triple Alliance, announcing, however, at the
same time its intention to maintain good relations with France and
Great Britain. The latter were confirmed by a visit of King Edward
and Queen Alexandra in April, 1907.

Early in 1908 difficulties of a commercial nature between Turkey and
Italy led to the mobilization of the Italian fleet. Turkey, however,
thereupon acceded to all of Italy's demands. Foreign affairs were
overshadowed entirely throughout 1909 by the frightful destruction
wrought by a series of violent earthquakes which shook the Strait of
Messina on December 28, 1908, killing over 50,000 people. King
Edward, Emperor William, and Czar Nicholas again visited Italy at
different times in 1909.

On September 29, 1911, Italy declared war against Turkey, which
latter country had not answered satisfactorily an Italian ultimatum
concerning Tripoli. The war, which was principally fought in Africa,
lasted until October 18, 1912, when a treaty of peace was signed at
Lausanne, Switzerland, arranging for the immediate occupation of
Tripoli and Cyrenaica by Italy against an annual payment to Turkey.
Throughout the war the other European powers had maintained strict
neutrality. A few days before peace was concluded, October 8, 1912,
Montenegro had started that war against Turkey which was destined to
grow finally into the Balkan War. Italy, in common with the other
European powers, maintained strict neutrality throughout the two
Balkan wars, and participated in the conference of London which
settled the Balkan question, at least temporarily, in May, 1913.
Throughout that year (1913) Italian troops found considerable
difficulty in keeping order among the natives of Cyrenaica, and in
suppressing uprisings in various parts of this colony.

The outbreak of the war found Italy still a member of the Tr