Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1915-05-28
Italy Officially Noti-
flies Austria.
ARMY AND NAVY READY
Strong Military Forces Are in
Position Along Frontier.

Rome, May 24-Italy, the eleventh
nation to enter the world war, has
thrown down the gage Of battle to
Austria. With the issuance of the
general mobilization order the Italian
government issued proclamation de,
claring war on Austria Hungary.
Prior to this and after lengthy
consultation the ministers of war and
marine proclaimed the provinces Dor
dering on Austria and the islands and
coast towns of the Adriatic in state
Of war. which was equivalent to the
establishment of martial law, the
step usually preceding the formal
declaration.
Although drastic action has been
looked for momentarily Italians of all
classes have been electrified by the
swiftly moving events. Great crowds
gathered around the Quirinal to await
the ministers who called on the king
to discuss the situation and signing
DEGREES.
When Premier Salandra and Signor
Sonnino, the foreign minister, left
the palace the people cheered them
enthusiastically. General Zuppeli,
minister of war, and Vice Admiral
Viale, minister of marine, remained
with the king for a considerable time
after the others left and later they
had conference with Lieutenant
General Cadorna, chief of staff, and
Vice Admiral Phaon Di Revel, chief
of the naval staff.
Italy Is Fully Prepared.
When the first blow will be struck
cannot be foretold, but after many
months of preparation the army and
navy are ready. Exceedingly strong
forces are in position all along the
frontier, on the Aus.
trian side of which feverish prepare
tions have been going on the last few
days to make the Notifications as
strong as possible and to clear the
way for effective artillery action.
The German ambassador, Prince
Won Buelow, and the Austrian ambas-
sador. Baron Won Macchio, are still
in Rome, 80 far as is known. They
have waited to the last doubtless in
the hope that some way might be
found to prevent clash at arms.
They will be given safe conduct when
they do leave and so far as Germans
and Austrians resident in Italy are
concerned every effort has been made
to see them safely out Of the country.
On the other hand most alarming
reports have been received from the
Italian border towns that Italian resi-
dents in the Austrian Tyrol are ex-
periencing great difficulty in return.
Ing to Italy and in many cases have
been placed under arrest.
According to the Giornale d'Italia
the problem concerning the diplomats
to the Vatican has been
solved satisfactorily and the law Of
remains untouched.
About 100000 Bavarians and Hun
garians already have been concen-
trated against Italy. Austria ensur-
ing them commissariat service.
Germans to Direct Campaign.
Although Field Marshal Baron Con-
rad Won Hoetzendorf, chief of staff
Of the Austrian army, had prepared
for many years for possible out
break of war between Austria and
Italy the belief is held here that the
will be conducted by the
German general staff. which, it is said.
has planned q strong offensive move
ment against Italy. in the hope of
the Italian lines and fore.
ing their way into Italian territory.
thereby arousing alarm and strength.
ening the feeling favorable to peace.
Should such an attempt fail.
the resistance Of the Italian
army, the Austrians and Germans
would then have to resort to defen-
tive measures against q certain inva-
sion. The Austrian defenses are par
ticularly strong along the Dalmation
coast, which already is protected by
fixed and floating mines and guard
I'd by . dozen submarines carrying
German officers and sailors.
The Austrian fleet Is centered at
Pola. with only few torpedo boats
and destroyers at Cattaro and Spala-
To-. Other Austrian warships are in
the Dalmatia archipelago on the
northeast coast of the Adriatic sea.
Naval men here do not consider 1t
likely that the Austrian fleet will
leave Pola unless forced by an Italian
attack.