New Britain herald., 1914-08-28
CLAIMS ALLIES DID
 NOT CONSULT ITALY
Milan Paper Says Austria and Germany Kept Rome in Ignorance.
(New York Sun.)

Italy as a member of the Triple Ali ance is explained in an editorial this morning in the Corriere della Sera of Milan, one of the most influential newspapers of the country. It says
 that Italy's decision to remain neu-
 tral is based on three causes:
 1. The terms of the Triple Alli- ance call for Italy's participation in war only if Germany or Austria Hun gary is attacked by another power. The present war is not a defensive war; but one brought on by Austria
 Hungary and Germany.
 2. The spirit of the alliance de-
 1nands that no warlike action be talk en involving the three countries without full mutual discussion and agreement
 Italy was not even consulted by Austria Hungary and the course of events was brought to her knowledge only by news agency reports.
 8. When Italy went to war with Turkey Austria prevented her from acting with free hand in the Adri- atic and the Aegean, thereby prolong- ing the war at an enormous cost in men and money to Italy. Italy would be justified in acting in precisely the same manner now toward Austria Hungary.
 ! "The great war is going to cause profound changes in Europe is the conclusion of the article. We have not desired it and we are not going to pay the price,
 Let us recall the facts" says the writer, after referring to the attitude of Austria and Germany in the first Balkan war, in which he sees the origin of the present conflict. Aus tria attacked Servia. Austria made the attack without, if you please, giv- ing us the slightest warming of the events which brought on the conflict.
 Austria began hostilities in such ia ashion that Russia was forced, in order to safeguard the actual equili- brium in the Balkans, to proceed to mobilize her military forces. If there had been an understanding, the mere mobilization of the Russian forces would not have brought on the war; Russia had shown herself willing to negotiate with Austria and possibly to come to an agreement This fact is essential, just as essential as the attf- tude of Germany and Austria in re- gard to the pacific proposals of Italy and England. 1 Austria Inexorable.
 What was this attitude? England in conjunction with Italy, issued an invitation to a conference in which the great powers could have explained their interests and maintained peace. l Servia had declared that she was dis l posed fto accept all the demands con- tsined in the Austrian note. But Aus l tria Hungary was memorable. Aus l tria Hungary declared. that she was not content with the simple execution | of the note sent to Belgrade and that 1 ,Servia would have to pay a very high l indemnity for the warlike prepara- ions made by the Hapsburg mons archy.
 "The truth is that Vienna desired not; only the humiliation of Servia but the placing of her political and economic existence in the hands of the l dual monarchy Austria wanted to settle the great problem, disquieting residue of the two Balkan wars, whether Belgrade or Vienna should rule the Serbo-Croatian world. Aus tria's memorable attitude is thus ex- plained. Germany was not at first prepared to go to extreme lengths. But the Fevents of the past few days worried the Kaiser; he thought his empire was in danger, that indecision would play into the hands of his foes l and he precipitated the catastrophe.
 ''In fact, first Germany refused to | accept the conference proposal of Sir l Edward Grey. A conference accord l ing to the Berlin view, was not op- l portune because of the attitude as- l stunned by Austria Hungary toward l Servia; for that reason the powers | would have to talk of something else. 1 orlo o,,1 fhoo ha | to make another proposal, not for a | conference, but for a series of con- versations among the powers, diplo- | matic dialogues or something of that | nature, which would not have the ap- | pearance, we will not say of any of- | fence, but not even of lack of great | consideration toward Austria-Hun- | gary. When this proposal failed to | win the Kaiser's approval an attempt | was made to establish conversations | between Berlin and St. Petersburg. ] ENen this plan failed and its failure l was not due to Russia. The truth Is | that Germany and the dual monarchy l looked upon all these plans as means l to enable their enmies to gain time | for preparation for the struggle.
 "Casus Foederis'' Doesn't Exist.
 "Such was the disposition Of mind l prevailing when the German Ambas- 1 sador communicated to the Italian | Government the final decision of his l country-the demand served on the l Cabinets of Paris and St. Petersburg. | Germany by calling on France and ! Russia to reply in the shortest time tq ! demands touching on internal liberty, | on the sovereignty of the two nations, 1 placed herself on her own volition in | the juridical position of one who pro- l vokes and probably, the next day or l the day after, of him who is an | aee,ressor The Triple Alliance. in |