The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-05-28
ITALY FORMALLY
DECLARES WAR
KING SIGNS DECREE WHlcH
pRINes THE ELEVENTH NATION
INTO WORLD WAR.
All Austrian and German SHIPS IN
Italian Harbors Have Been ORDERED
confiscated by Royal Decree
Clash on Frontier

Rome-Italy has formally declared
war against Austria-Hungary, The de-
cree which brings the eleventh nation
into the war was signed by King VIC
tor Emmanuel at 2 o'clock Sunday az
ternoon. May %. A declaration OF
war by Germany against Italy Is ex-
pected.
Raron Won Macchio the Austrian
ambassador. was handed his passport
The Due d'Avarna, Italian ambassador
ar Vienna, has been recalled. Prince
Won Buelow has been ordered by Chan-
cellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg to leave
Italy Immediately, as Germany has de,
cided to support her ally, Austria.
The first clash between Italian and
Austrian troops occurred at Forcel-
lini di Montozzo soon after the decla-
ration of hostilities had been signed.
An Austrian patrol crossed the border
in pass between Pont di Lego and
Peio and was driven back by Italian
Alpine chasseurs with slight losses.
All Austrian and German ships in
Italian harbors have been ordered con-
fiscated by a royal decree issued SUM
day. Immense bodies of troops are
massed on both sides of the border
1t is reported here that 100000 Aus
tro Germans are concentrated and
ready to cross the frontier. An enemy
torpedo fleet is cruising off Cattaro.
More than 100000 men fully
equipped with arms and ammunition,
it is expected, will be put into the
field within month. Because OF the
work of preparation that has been 60
ing on for the past few weeks, mobi-
lization is going forward rapidly The
~egimental depots have been crowded
since Sunday morning by reservists
who have been expecting call to arms
since Thursday. The calmness and
cheerfulness of the reservists and
their families completely belle the
temperamental excitement which is
supposed to be an Italian characters
tic and affords proof of the popularity
of the war spirit.
The entrance of Italy into the world
war which began last August brings
the number of states engaged in the
conflict up to eleven. Italy, allied with
Germany and Austria Hungary since
1882 in the triple alliance, was called
upon last summer shortly after the
assassination of the Austrian crown
prince at Sarapevo, Bosnia, to support
the Germanic empires. She declined
and there began a series of diploma
tic negotiations which soon resolved
themselves into efforts on the part of
Germany and Eustria-Hungary to in
duce Italy to remain neutral.
So far as known the Italian fleet is
mostly in the Adriatic, under the com.
mand of the duke of Abruzzi, who is
known to many Americans through his
visits to the United States some ten
years ago. 1t is generally believed
that the fleet will proceed promptly
in these waters.
One great purpose of Italy in enter
ing the war is to gain possession of
'unredeemed Italy," a sweep of Aus
trian territory to the north and east
near the head of the Adriatic sea.
This region, which includes Trent and
Trieste, is italian in all but nationali-
ty To attain it has long been her
cherished ambition.
ltaly's total war strength, including
resources of all kinds, is figured at
about 100000 men.
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