If France and/or Italy had just lost a war against an Anglo - German and Austrian alliance, they wouldn't have the means to enforce very much surely? It would be a bit silly to insist on taking over Toulon or the French interest in Andorra at the peace settlement because you couldn't hold onto it from the moment they managed to dust themselves down (Gibraltar is a special case) . But an overseas colony with maritime access, and where the other major powers have recognised the cessation. Say France has agreed to cede Tunisia in preference to Brie-Longwy, Russia has agreed in exchange for some concessions on the Balkans and Italy has been offered Nice or Corsica in compensation for their disappointment?That still doesn't mean much. France has the means to enforce their claim, so has Italy. Austria-Hungary does not. Especially not before the 1880s. Austrian claim on Tunisia is as good as a reason for war with Italy and or France.