During this period of debt and disenchantment came news of a slight inflicted by the Latin sister of the North.  France had seized Tunis, a land on which Italian patriots looked as theirs by reversion, whereas the exigencies of statecraft assigned it to the French.  It seems that during the Congress of Berlin (June-July 1878) Bismarck and Lord Salisbury unofficially dropped suggestions that their Governments would raise no objections to the occupation of Tunis by France.  According to de Blowitz, Bismarck there took an early opportunity of seeing Lord Beaconsfield and of pointing out the folly of England quarrelling with Russia, when she might arrange matters more peaceably and profitably with her.  England, said he, should let Russia have Constantinople and take Egypt in exchange; “France would not prove inexorable—­besides, one might give her Tunis or Syria[254].”  Another Congress story is to the effect that Lord Salisbury, on hearing of the annoyance felt in France at England’s control over Cyprus, said to M. Waddington at Berlin:  “Do what you like with Tunis; England will raise no objections.”  A little later, the two Governments came to a written understanding that France might occupy Tunis at a convenient opportunity.

[Footnote 254:  De Blowitz, Memoirs, ch. vi., also Busch, Our Chancellor, vol. ii. pp. 92-93.]

The seizure of Tunis by France aroused all the more annoyance in Italy owing to the manner of its accomplishment.  On May 11, 1881, when a large expedition was being prepared in her southern ports, M. Barthelemy de St. Hilaire disclaimed all idea of annexation, and asserted that the sole aim of France was the chastisement of a troublesome border tribe, the Kroumirs; but on the entry of the “red breeches” into Kairwan and the collapse of the Moslem resistance, the official assurance proved to be as unsubstantial as the inroads of the Kroumirs.  Despite the protests that came from Rome and Constantinople, France virtually annexed that land, though the Sultan’s representative, the Bey, still retains the shadow of authority[255].

[Footnote 255:  It transpired later on that Barthelemy de St. Hilaire did not know of the extent of the aims of the French military party, and that these subsequently gained the day; but this does not absolve the Cabinet and him of bad faith.  Later on France fortified Bizerta, in contravention (so it is said) of an understanding with the British Government that no part of that coast should be fortified.]

In vain did King Umberto’s ministers appeal to Berlin for help against France.  They received the reply that the affair had been virtually settled at the time of the Berlin Congress[256].  The resentment produced by these events in Italy led to the fall of the Cairoli Ministry, which had been too credulous of French assurances; and Depretis took the helm of State.  Seeing that Bismarck had confessed his share in encouraging France to take Tunis, Italy’s