The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-14
Austria Reported to Have Alb
solutely Refused to Give Up
Trieste to Italy
ublic Sentiment
For Intervention
Fear Expressed If Italy Delays
Too Long Allies May Decline
Proffer OF Aid and Share Of
Rewards of Victory

Rome, March t3.--That Italy 10
not issseiing her active preparations
for war i'll spite III The negotiations
npw under way with GERMANY IL In
die7ttrd by the iaci that the war Of
ftGe has just concluded arrangements,
10 btsonle effective in case nj war, for
hospital recommendations tor 1000
wounded In Rome alone. Even THO
German and French colleges will be-
converted into hospitals under this
piau IL Italy enters the var.
Reports that negotiations are in
progress between the Austro- Hun
Earjan Government and the Vatican
looking toward the Cooperation Of
the Holy See in urging the continu-
snce OF Italian neutrality are denied
itatiy by the Observatory Romano.
Pope Benedict. | am informed on
reliable authority. ardently hopes that
Italy viii not enter the war. but at
the same time he Is determined not
To influence In any way the decision OF
the Government, which is the ex-
elusive custodian of the eountry's well
fare. Hence he in abstaining pur-
poseiy from any interference, lest he
be suspected of lack Of patriotism.
and Of being swayed by Interior mo-
tives.
Despite the neutrality OF the Holy
See. in case OF war. I am informed
that Pope Benedict will order public
prayers for the victory Of italy in the
churches OF Rome and throughout
Italy.
NEGOTIATIONS Kept Quiet.
No word OF the progress Of the ne
Gotiations between Premier Saiaudra
and Prince Won Buelow, German am
baSsador Mt Rome, has yet been fnada
public beyond the semi offieIai an
nouncement that Italy has Instituted
no negotiations. but simply has lis
tened TO tfe proposals of Prince Won
Buelow Meanwhile in the absence
OF official information. reports are
persistent in the capital that all that
Austria is willing to concede In re-
turn for italian neutrality Is a por-
ton of the Trentino. and that she re-
fuses positively to give up Trieste.
Even should Germany be able to
coerce her ally into giving up both
Trent and Trieste. considerable por-
ton of Italian public opinion would
not be satisfied. believing that the at
tack by the allied fleets on the Oar
danelies presents new international
problem in the solution OF which Italy
should have a hand~-nAmely the par
tition Of Turkey.
Itaiys interests and ambitions In
he Mediterranean. II is pointed out.
make IL imperative that Italy shall
not stand aside " nile the allies make
a fnal settlement of the Turkish quss-
tion entirely according TO their own
interests and desires. and Italians can
not expect TO be consulted while they
re pursuing their present pelicy.
should Italy enter into an agreement
with her allies of The triple alliance
to maintain her present neutrality In
return for Austrian cesston of the
Italian speaking provinces her claims
To the recognition OF the entente
powers TN their Mediterranean coun-
ellis would be still more untenable.
in the Views OF those who oppose the
present alliance.
Fear May Delay Too Long
Still another point which in raised
by those who favor immediate inter-
vention on he side 81 the allies Is tho
possibility If danger that. should Italy
withhold hrr hand too long. her help
should be declined when offered In
order thar Italian Intervention should
bring To italy the part which she de-
sires to play IN the final settlement. Il
is pointed ont. IT must come when 10
is no longer necessary. In This con-
pectiop. the case OF Greece lis cited.
Many Italians believe that Greece al
ready has waited too long. and that