Evening star., 1915-05-25
Navy to Avenge Grudge.

plratlOnS or the navy owing TO tDe
severe discipline in the navy the men
were prevented from showing that
they favored the war. hut Italian sail
ors have desired such an event for
years, always having been prepared
and anxious for a chance once more
to measure themselves with their an
cieut hated enemy
Commander Bravetta recalls In his
article that some years ago Admiral
Faulumbo who later became minister
of the navy, stopped his squadron OFT
the Dalmatian Island OF Iissa. where
the Austrian navy under TeGetthon de
feated the italians under rersano, July
90 1866 and hosted the signal. Re
member the dead of Iissa'' All the
Italian sailors, the commander says,
took a solemn oath to win or to die if
good luck once again put them before
the AuStrians.
Now, the Duke of the Abruzzi." the
article concludes, like Lord Nelson
commands bands of brothers. who,
united by the same pledge and inflamed
by the same idea. are ready for a su-
preme test in the sacred name of
Italy
Newspaper Comment.
The newspapers of Italy in their ar
ticles on the war give expression to
Italy has undertaken.
The Corriere Della Sera of Milan.
after comparing the strength of the
Italian and Austrian fleets, warns the
nation that Il victory for Italy can he
obtained only after grave sacrifices and
hard trials The newspaper says that
submarines and mines have radically
alterNi naval warfare. giving the ad-
VANTAGE to the defensive navy over an
attacking force of warshipS. 1t cites
as an example of this that Great Brit
ain and France. although maintaining
dominion of the seas, have suffered
great losses i'll both ships and men
through mines and submarines.
Italy, according to the Corr.re Della
Sera, must expect the same treatment.
The close proximity of the two shores
of the Adriatic, it says, renders Italy
more exposed than the northern allies.
The Austrian coast is rich in naval
bases. the newspaper continues, while
the Italian coast is without one secure
natural refuge for modern warships.
The paper exhorts Italians &c meet
all tests with patriotic discipline and a
manly spirit of sacrifice for the father
land.
German Emissaries in Tripoli.
The Messaggero prints story to
the effect that il has been assured that
German and Turkish officers already
have gone to Tripoli and Cyrenaica,
taking with them money and gifts for
the chiefs of the tribes in the interior
Of those countries.
1t is hoped by these officers. the news
paper adds. to bring about great in
surrection against Italian rule and
force the Italian troops and the loyal
population to retire to the coast, where
they will be under the protection of
Italian warships. 1t is also asserted
by the Messaggero that the Austrian
navy has arranged to send submarines
to make torpedo attacks against the
Italian coast defenses.
The prudence and energy of the
Libyan government" the Messaggero
adds. will be able to meet the unfor-
tunate situation which the Turkish and
German emissaries daily are trying to
make worse. Late events must have
convinced the government of the neces-
sity. while the great war lasts, to adopt
a system of resolute defense around
coastal cities.
view a naval engagement from an 1tal-
ian warship may go unreW Warded. He
has had long interviews with the minis
ters of war and marine, but it is doubt
full whether even the influence OF the
poet is sufficient to SO far relax the
stern rules of naval discipline as to ad-
init his presence.
The poet says the happiest hour of his
the glories OF his fatherland. This, he
declares, would be a thrillngly enviable
fate.
Active Operations Begun.
LONDON, May %, 1l:52 a.m.-Active
military and naval operations are now
under way between Austria Hungary and
Italy. but land forces OF any great
strength have not as yet come into con-
tact. Air and naval raids OF minor
character form the sum total of the
first twenty-four hours Of warfare be-
tween these former allies in the triple
alliance.
II is generally understood that Italy
has arrived al an agreement with her
new allies. under the terms OF which she
will sign the existing treaty not to con-
Guide a separate peace.
VIENNA, Austria, May 25. via Lon
don--The Austrian war Office announced
last night that fighting had begun along
the Italian border. where a number OF
small battles are under way. Italian
cavalry has appeared on the coast. near
tho frontier.
Austria Rushes Troops South.
LUCIANO. Switzerland, via Paris, May
zS--Austro-German troops continue TO
move toward the frontier from Inns
bruck and Meran. The Swiss railroads
are greatly overcrowded with Italian
refugees. and reports reach here that
the Italian residents IN Austria and
Germany are being badly treated
GENEVA. May "a. via Paris. May 25
"a number of armored trains and
eeroplanes arrived at Trent today from
Innsbruck. The Austrians seem to
fear an attack from the VaItellna re-
gfon and they are, therefore, making
all preparations for that eventualIty.
Skirmishes occurred today on the
banks OF the Isonzo river, which flows
An Austrian submarine. probably
from Pola. was seen of Venice this
morning. Two German spies have been
taken TO Verona.
The Austrian enperor's proclamation
70 his people recalling the victories
over Italy has further infamed Ital-
ian feeling
II Is reported hero that more than
nifty Italians living in the Trentinc
were shot yesterday as spies because
the railroad bridge at Meram was
blown up.
Berlin Backs Up Ally.
BERLIN. May 2s-Germany is whole.
heartedly on the side OF her ally. The
italian military attache recently was
summoned to German headquarters and
shown on a map the location anG
strength Of the Austro-German armiei
on the Italian frontier, so that his gov.
ernment should have no reason to doub,