Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-07
ITALY PREPARED
TO GO into WAR
WITHOUT DELAY
Premier Affirms That Army
and Navy Are Ready
for Any Event.
DETERMINED TO PROTECT
INTERESTS OF COUNTRY
Advises That Attitude of Loyal,
but Armed, Neutrality Be
Preserved.
---:
STATEMENT NOT sPHINxLfKE
Former Premier Declares That Very
Life Of Nation Is at
Stake
DETERMINED TO PROTECT
INTERESTS OF COUNTRY
STATEMENT NOT spHINxLrkE J,
Former Premier Declares That Very
Life Of Nation Is at
Stake.

ROME, December delayed. ITO
day twhoeYer has doubted the fitness OF
our army, whoever las intended 20 e3-
pose tho yiclssitudes traversed for
military preparation, sins against tho
fatherland."s
Such was Premier Salandra's dec,a-
ration in the italian Chamber to-day
prior to the passage Of 4 resolution
expressing confidence In the govern
rhcnt. This statement was In a speech
delivered In answer to Deputies at
tacks on the government.
On Thursday. at3the opening OF Par
Lament, the Premier explained the sit
suation OF Italy. and advised that she
maintain an attitude OF loyal but
watchful and armed neutrality. He
also alluded TO what he termed the Just
aspirations of Italy. To-day those who
spoke In tho Chamber, especially mem
bcrs OF the extreme left tried to con-
strue this statement according to theIr
own Siewe. Some urged more, explicit
declarations, while others attacked the
Cabinet. inserting that Italy, notwith-
standing her heavy military expenses,
was obliged to remain neutral, owing
to military unpreparedness.
ASSERTS HIS STATEMENT
lSr NOT SPHlNXLIKE Fl
.sPrennier 'Saiandra expressed regret at
Sthe unmeasured Language and declared
those who asserted that Thursdays s
sstatement was sphtn$liko wore W rof,g,
and stisat on th K 9th er f,gnd
sssss 81 aasss tIss asBysssY ss sfss
tteopte. who aresnot frenf sse,tcd IS the
[hStreme left. and added: IS ;yt:SSs
What said wa y understood Byssa1l
and need have no word added. Tho
vote must lie given. on my ysdeclarations,
hnt q. further explanation is in,poss.-
bic. because 1t Is sagainst the interests
OF the state. Regarding military prep
aration. can affirm that the Italian
army and navy are ready for any event.
For this military preparation. both
we and our predecessors have assumed
grave responsibilities, which Parlia-
ment VIII be able to Judge, later from
documents, but not now. To-day. who
ever has doubted tho fitness Of our
army, whoever has intended to expose
he vicissitudes traversed for military
preparation, sins against the father
lard"
The Premier declared the action OF
some OF the orators "in trying to
diminish the Importance OF our coun-
try ia unpatriotic."
SPEECH IS CONSTANTLY
INTERRUPTED WITH APPLAUSE
The PTen1ier's speech was constantly
interrupted b. applause
Giovanni Glolitti. former Premier, ap-
proved the governments policy. He
said he thought II necessary to en-
loyal to. treaties, and. in this, connec-
tion. added:
81 feel 1t my duty to recall a pre-
cedent showing how correct Was the
Interpretation OF the alliance By the
government when the conflict began
1913, being absent from Rome, ] re-
ceivcd this telegram from the late
Marquis di'San Giuliano Ctho late Mar
Inis di San Giuliano at the time re-
ferrsd to was Minister Of Foreign AZ
fairs in the Cabinet of which sSignor
Gioiitti was Premier): al
Austria has communicated to us
and Germany that II has been the in
tention to act against Seryia. defining
siich action as defensive, and hoping
for an application OF n casus foederis
by the triple alliance, which con-
slider -inapplicnble.- nm trying to
agree with Germany concerning efforts
to prevent Austrian -,rction. but it may
be necessary to say clearly that we
do not consider such eventual action
as defensive, and. therefore. do NOT
think there exists a casus foederis.
Please send telegram saying whether,
you approve
81 answered Marquis di San .Giuiiano
thus:
".Tf Austria goes against servia. a
casus foederis evidently does not ex-
list 1t Is an action she accom- mnlistes
in her own account. It Is not defensive,
because nobody thinks OF at.ackinE
her. 1t Is necessary to declare this
to Austria in the most formal manner,
hoping that Germany Will act to tlis-
suade Austria from a very dangerous
adventure
INTERPRETATION OF TREATY
GS ACCEPTED ny ALLIES
n''This was done, and our lntorprcta-
tion OF the treaty was accepted by our
allies. our friendly relations not being.
In the least disturbed Thus the de-
claration OF neutrality madc at tho
beginning of this conflict Is according
TO spirit and letter OF tho treatiss. J
recall this incident, wishing to demons
serate the complete loyalty OF Italy
before the eyes of Europe"
Tho former Premier was interruptea
by great applause uo concluded by
urging the maintenance OF neutrality
until tho necessity should arise to pro-
.tcctl Itaiy's rights. Until then, he snid,'
there should be a loyal observance OF
neutrallty.whic alone can give In any
moment. complete liberty of judgment,
and action, He recommended great
caution and dwatchfu1ness,san and snid that,
since the very life OF the nation waH at
stake, the government, Parliament and
the pross must be cautious.
!. ATTRACTIVE AN u .ENJoYABLgTRiP.
(. To Daltir,cTe VIA York River, Line. 5;to r:
n. except sundsys. y sass Eiene Way 81 %;
~. = L. .