The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-13
Continved from First Page.

J
Austrian propaganda in Italy and sue.
ceeded In placing official statements and
denials in the italian press.
But such efforts were merely Iegitimat.
means OF persuasion, and while not al
ways successful still they hattered ant
pleased Italians who were clever enough
to realize that their allies were counting
| their support. Time passed and the policy
Of neutrality, vigilant and armed neu.
trality. continued.
There 10 not the slightest doubt that
Italy's neutrality has been 40 far OF grea,
advantage 60 Germany and Austria. The
latter left her western frontiers un-
guarded and sent the army corps OF
Trieste and Gras. destined in time Of war
to defend Austria from an Italian inva-
sion. to fight the Russians in Galicla,
while troops from the Tyrol aided the
Germans In France. Since 1t seemed inn
possible to persuade Italy to Join her
allies and all the efforts to convince
Italians that the Austrians were their best
friends failed. II was decided that the
best plan was to persuade Italy to re-
main neutral.
As 80 far the italian Government and
especially the Minister OF Foreign Affairs.
Marquis di San Guliano, who has the
reputation OF being convinced "Tripli-
cdst" "a stanch supporter OF the Triple
Alllanco). seemed determined not to change
the policy of neutrality. Great Britain
discreetly stepped In with some practical
and persuasive arguments. The first ar
gument was coal Italy needed coal very
badly and she obtained all she wanted
from England by barely asking for 1t.
England Helps with Coal.
OF course there was the possibility tn It
some OF the coal imported from England
would find it's way TO Germany and Aus
tria. for contraband OF war Is a profitable
undertaking and Italians like to earn an
honest penny. A guard against such n
risk was at once suggested by ENGLAND.
All the conl contracted for by the Italian
Government was allowed to be exported
from England ~ the usual prices. That
contracted for by private firms cost three
times as much. This system. known rs
deferred rebate, obvlated the danger OF
contraband as private contractors lost
the two-thrds paid over and above the
usual prices unless they could prove tha'
the coal supplied had been consumed In
Italy
The argument Of coal was a godsend
TO Italy as now the navy has enough for
a year. II Is not likely that the British
Government would have allowed coal to
be exported to Italy without an assuranc,
that the Italian navy would not fight
lit 81.
For a similar reason the coal supplied to
the State railways is not likely TO bs
used for general mobilization of the
Italian army in favor OF England's enc
mics. Other arguments used by England
consisted Of promises made by winston
Churchill, who, In an interview published
In the Giornulo dHdiid, said that Trent
and Trieste will, after the war. become
italian.
Any country but Italy would have de-
-lded long ago which side 10 take in the
present conflict. The Italian Government
still seems to hesitate So far Italian in
trests have not been Threatened. II * said,
AZ the Foreign ONCE. and Italy's partici-
nation in the war Is not justified. OF
course the assurance that in case Italy
had 10 Intervene she would not side
against England has been repeatedly
given and il allowed to pass by the CEN
sor. whenever IL is telegraphed abroad. IL
obviously follows that although the Triple
Alliance stil exists de facto italy has
complete freedom OF action and that she
will never under any circumstances join
her allies.
There Is not the slightest doubt that
were Italy to join her allies there would
be- revolution within twenty-four hours.
Generals commanding army corps In time
Of war are reported TO nave notified the
War office that II ordered 10 fight In
Austrla's favor they Will tender their
designations. There are thousands OF
soldiers now with the colors whose an
cestors suffered persecution under Aus
trian rule In Lombardy and Nenetia
There are others whose fathers were
killed in the war with Austria. To these
men hatred of Austria IL a family tradi-
ton and hatred in Italy is stronger than
military discipline.
Universal Hatred of A ustria.
Popular feeling throughout the country
is decidedly arti-Austrian. There has
not Been a single demonstration of any
kind in Italy since 1870. and demonstra-
tons are by no means rare when the
people nave not shouted Down with
Austria" The Austrian embassy In
Rome and every Austrian consulate in
italy is permanently guarded by troops.
Even the anti-clericals. whenever they
protest publicly against the so-called
Vatican peril. shout Death to the Aus
TITAN Emperor !"
The hatred Is so great that the Triple
Alliance was concluded simply to avert
war with Austria The most peaceful
Italian will tell you that in case of war
with Austria, besides himself rushing to
fight against his countrys hereditary
enemy he will take his wife and chill
dren along. The hatred OF the French
for Germany Is nothing compared with
that of the Italians for Austria, which
recalls that of past generations when pso-
pies were slaves and lived on the hope of
numbering their oppressors. A war
against Austria would be the most popular
war in history here in Italy.
In contrast to this bitter feeling Italian
sympathy for England Is considerable.
During the recent anti-neutrality demon
STATIONS In Rome and other principal
cities the crowds parading the streets
shouted Long live England our friend :"
and Death to Austria. 80 on September
30 more than 10000 Romans. headed ny
flags. stopped on the way to the POrta
Pia, where the commemoration of the
entry Of the Italians In 1870 was to take
place. and for ten minutes cheered in front