Mediterranean Agreements
But in respect to the territories bordering on those seas
whose political status more specially affects the interests of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire, the objects of English and Austrian
policy are the same, and the principles which ought to guide it
are clearly indicated in the communications to which Count
Kálnoky has expressed his willingness to adhere.
Without determining beforehand the character which the
coöperation of the two Powers ought in any particular contin-
gency to take, the efforts of H. My’sGovernment in harmony
with those of the Austro-Hungarian Government will be con-
stantly directed to secure in these regions the maintenance, so
long as it shall be possible, of the status quo, and, should that
unhappily cease to be possible, the prevention of the growth
of any novel domination hostile to the interests of the two
countries.
I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Mr.
l’ambassadeur, your Exc. most obedient, humble servant
SALISBURY.
3.1198 Mediterranean Agreements
Alliance Members:Italy and Spain, acceded to by Germany and Aus-
tria-Hungary
Signed On:May 4, 1887, in the city of Madrid. In force until May 4,
1895.
Alliance Type:Non-aggression Pact (Type II)
Source:The Secret Treaties of Austria-Hungary 1879–1914,vol. 1,
p. 117.
Additional Citations:Key Treaties for the Great Powers, 1814–1914,
vol. 2, p. 643.
SUMMARY
With the authoritarian states of Europe increasingly threatened by the
liberalization of western Europe, Franco-Russian rapprochement, and
Russian adventurism in the remains of the Ottoman Empire, Spain
sought an understanding with other monarchies in order to curb its
isolation. Signing a neutrality pact with Italy in 1887, Spain promised
not to ally with France against Italy, Germany, or Austria-Hungary and
to participate in consultations regarding the formation and execution
of foreign policy aimed at protecting the status quo in the Mediter-
ranean.
Executed by an exchange of diplomatic notes and originally intended
to last four years, the alliance nonetheless survived until 1895.
Exchange of Notes
Spanish Note to Italy proposing a Mediterranean Agree-
ment.
Madrid, May 4, 1887.
Ministry of State.
Madrid, May 4, 1887.
The undersigned, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, has the
honor to bring the following to the knowledge of Marquis Maf-
fei, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His
Majesty the King of Italy:
The Government of Her Majesty the Queen Regent, ani-
mated by the desire to seek an understanding with the Govern-
ment of His Majesty the King of Italy for the purpose of fortify-
ing more and more the monarchical principle and of
contributing to the strengthening of the peace, declares itself
from the present time in favor of the acceptance of the follow-
ing provisions:- Spain will not lend herself as regards France, in so far as
the North African territories among others are con-
cerned, to any treaty or political arrangement whatsoever
which would be aimed directly or indirectly against Italy,
Germany, and Austria, or against any one of these Powers. - Abstention from all unprovoked attack, as well as from all
provocation. - In view of the interests involved in the Mediterranean, and
for the principal purpose of maintaining there the present
status quo, Spain and Italy will keep in communication
with one another on this subject, by conveying to each
other all information of a kind to enlighten each other
concerning their respective dispositions, as well as those
of other Powers.
In expressing the hope that these present and secret propos-
als will obtain the assent of the Government of His Majesty the
King of Italy, the undersigned avails himself of this occasion to
renew to Marquis Maffei the assurances of his most distin-
guished consideration.
Madrid, the fourth of May, one thousand eight hundred and
eighty-seven.
(Signed) Moret.
For copy true to the original:
Madrid, May 8, 1887.
L. S. Maffei.
Italian reply to Spanish Note. Madrid, May 4, 1887.
Royal Legation of Italy.
Madrid, May 4, 1887.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
tentiary of His Majesty the King of Italy, has received the Note
which His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain
has done him the honor to address to him under today’s date,
and he is authorized to respond thereto in the following terms:
The Government of the King gives its assent to the provi-
sions enunciated in the aforesaid Note and pledges itself to reci-
procity.
At the same time, it reserves to itself to examine, in full
agreement with the Governments of Their Majesties the
Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia, and the Emperor of Aus-
tria, King of Hungary, whether and to what extent there may be
need, according to circumstances, to enter into further concert
with the Cabinet of Madrid in order the better to assure the
purpose which it too has in view.