Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-27
DECLARES AUSTRIA
SEVERED ALLIANCE
Italy Declares Def to Serbia With.
out Consulting Ally Violated
the Treaty.
WAR NOW ONLY SAFE COURSE


nents Of the world lengthy COM
municstion explaining its reasons
for declaring war on Austria. Count
di Cellere, the Italian ambassador,
presented the document to Secretary
Bryan today IN the form Of a note to
the United States government.
Reviews ParTeys.
II reviews neg, uations between Italy
and Austria, revealing that they began
Immediately upon the dispatch OF Aus
tria's ultimatum TO Serbia. italy claimed
then that the action of Austria disturbed
the equilibrium OF the Balkans and the
peace Of Europe in a way that vitality
affected italian interests. AS an ally OF
Austria, Italy asserts the right 10 have
been consulted before sending Of the
ultimatum. the first news OF which was
received through the newspapers.
Failing TO obtain through diplomacy
the satisfaction Of its territorial and ma
tional aspirations, Italy announces that
q declaration Of war was the only means
of safeguarding its position IN Europe.
Text of Note.
The text Of the note, as translated and
The Triple Alliance was essentially de-
fensive and designed solely TO preserve
the status quo or. in other words, the
equilibrium in Europe. That these were
its only objects and purposes is estab-
Iished by the letter and spirit Of the
treaty as we'll as by the intentions clearly
described and set forth in official acts
OF the ministers who created the alliance
interest OF peace which always has in
spired italian policy.
The treaty as long as IFS intents and
purposes had been loyalty interpreted and
regarded and as long as it had not been
used as a pretext for aggression against
others. greatly contributed TO the elimi-
nation and settlement of causes OF con-
flict, and for many years assured to
Europe the inestimable benefits OF peace.
Austria sewers Treaty.
But Austria Hungary severed the treaty
r re- on oU OF serbia, which gave 70 it an
claim. II refused to listen to the con-
ciliatory proposals presented by ltaIy IN
conjunction with other powers. IN Ine
fiict certain to drench the continent with
blood and TO reduce II TO ruin beyond the
fimnilv t ii provoked that conflict.
Article | OF the treaty embodied the
usual and necessary obhgations OF snen
pacts-the pledge to exchange views upon
am political and other questions OF
general nature that might arise. Pnrsu-
ant to its terms; , none OF ,,n ude With
out a previous agreement, ehy step tue
consequence of which might impose a
duty upon the other signator1es arlslns
out Of the alliance, or which would In
any way whatsoever encroach upon Lnels
vital interests; This article was violates 20
Serbia its note dated July y, l9l4. an
action taken without the previous assent
obligation che Greater.
Thus Austria Hungary violated beyond
OF the treaty. The obligation OF Austrta-
standing with Italy was the greater be-
caused It's obstinate policy agfinst Se rpila
gave rise TO a situation Wnlchr nrorean
As far back as the beginning of July:
1914 the Italian government g1sIieR R1eo Vienna,
caused TO be laid before the AustroSS
HUNGARIAN government number OF
suggestions ADVISING moderation dsmgs,. an az
an European outbreak, The course
adopted by Austria Hungary against
Serbia constituted moreover direct en-
croachment upon the general interests
Of italy. both political and economical.
In the Balkan peninsula. Austria-Hun-
Rary could not for q moment imagine
that Italy could remain indifferent whlle
Serbian Independence was being trodden
Several warnings Given.
On a number of occasions theretofore
Italy gave Austria 20 underStana IN
friendly but clear terms that the inde-
pendence of Serbia wes considered by
italy as essential TO Balkan equilibrium;
Austria Hungary was further advised
that Italy could never permit that equi-
Hbrium TO be disturbed to its prejudice.
This warning had been conveyed not only
by its diplomats In private conversations
with responsible Austro- HungaIian Of
fioials, but was proclaimed publicly by
Italian statesmen on the floors OF Far-
Therefore, when Austrla-Hungary ig-
nored the usual practices and me-
naced Serbia by sending 1t an ulti-
luaatun without, in any way, notifying
the italian government OF what II pro
posed TO do. indeed leaving that govern
nent to learn of it's action through the
press rather than through the usual
channels of diplomacy. when Austria
Hungary took this unpreoedentesdh c G.nIS
but committed an act inimica1 to Italian
interests.
Program of Austria.
The italian government had OBTAINED
Trustworthy Information that the com
plete program laid down by austria
fiungary with reference to the Balkans
was prompted by a desire TO decrease
Italy economical ana pOhttSdt
In that section, and tended directly ano
indirectly To the subserVtance or Serbia
to Austria Hungary, the political and
territorial isolation Of Montenegro, ano
the isolation and political decadence OF
Roumania-
This attempted dininution OF the influ'
ence of Italy in the Balkans would have
been brought about by the Austro-Bun
Rarian program, even though Austria
Hungary had no intention OF making FUR
Their territorial acquisitions. Further
more attention should be called TO the
fact that the AustrO- Hungarian govern
lment had assumed the solemn obligation
az prior consultation OF italy as required
by the special provisions of article VII o.
the treaty of the triple alliance, which
in addition to the obligation of previous
agreement recognized the right OF com
pensation TO the other contracting par
ties i'm case one should occupy tempo
rarily or permanently any section o.
the balkans
italian Representations.
To this end the Italian approached tn
Austro- Hungarian government immedi
atelv upon lnauguration Of Austro-Hun
0arian hostilities against Serbia and sue
ceeded in attaining reluctant acquiesenc
IN the Italian representations. Converse
lions were initiated Immediately afte
July q for the purpose OF giving new
lease OF life TO the treaty which had beel
violated and thereby annulled by the &c
of Austria-HunEary
This object could be attained only b!
the conclusion of new agreements. tn
conversations were renewed with add
tionRi propositions as the basis IN De
.ofa mi q