Evening star., 1915-05-24

spirits. Even those who for reasons Of
principle are opposed to war have
asked to be permitted to serve their
country in the ranks of the Red Cross
Cotemporaneously with the issuance
OF the general mobilization order, the
Italian government Saturday evening
officially announced that 1t had declared
war against Austria Hungary Notice
| thereof was handed the Austrian govern
ment yesterday.
Baron Won Macchio, the Austro- Hun
garian ambassador to Italy, was hand
ed his passports at $50 o'clock yester-
day afternoon.
The Italian ambassador at Vienna,
the Duke OF Avarna. has been recalled.
Italy's First War Move.
Italy's first move on land undoubtedly
| will be against the Austrian frontier.
Large numbers of her troops are mob
ilized in this territory. and the forces
of Austria-Hungary are lined UP on
the other side of the boundary. The
very mountain character of the ter
rain where the opposing armies face
each other. the southern part of the
Austrian Alps, promises operations and
/ fighting of the most difficult nature.
For several weeks past both the Aus
tro- Hun garian and the Italian armies
have been engaged in fortifyfng and
otherwise adopting protective meas
ures. each on its own side of the di-
viding line.
So far as known, the Italian fleet is
mostly in the Adriatic under the COM
mand Of the Duke of the Abruzzi, who Is
known to many Americans through his
years ago. 1t is generally believed
that the fleet will proceed promptly
against the naval strength of Austria
in these waters.
On xhA ri ok~fo
ports of Trieste and Pola. and Fiume is
in Hungary. The Dalmatian coast is
also Austria's. The Dardanelles are
less than 500 miles from southern Italy
against these Turkish positions should
be expected.
Eager to Enlist. =,
The long-expected actual declaration
of war against Austria Hungary found
all Italy eager for the conflict. Thou
sands of volunteers proffered their
services to the national cause. Stu
dents not yet called to the colors, but
anxious to enlist. besieged the military
authorities. Announcement already has
been made that volunteers eighteen
years of age or older who are physi-
cally fit will be accepted by the gov
ernment for the duration of the war.
Members of yacht clubs and boat
most to man. offered the government
their services and the use of their
craft Persons in all walks OF life
pledged their services to the Red Cross
and gifts of all kinds were received by
that organization.
Expressions of regret are being heard
on every side that the nation is unable
at present to assist persons Of Italian
blood or sympathies who are be-
trian authorities in Trent. Trieste
and Dalmatia. Intense indignation has
been caused by reports that thousands
of Italians have been detained at sta
tions along the Austrian and German
frontiers. where they have been sub
jected to ill treatment
Italians Ill-Treated.
A trainload OF Italians arriving at
Cormons. near Goritz. are reported to
have been driven into field by Aus
trian gendarmes, where they were
forced to remain all night in heavy
children are said to have died because
OF this experience. The women and
children were permitted to cross into
Italian territory the next day, but all
the men were detained.
The Italian population OF the Tren-
tino, according to dispatches from We
roma, is fleeing into the country from
towns and villages. They are compel
led to walk along the railway tracks be-
cause all highways have been barri-
caded with planks. tree trunks and
piles of stones.
Gendarmes are reported to be using
force to compel compliance with the
calling to the colors all
classes Of reservists between the ages
of seventeen and fifty. Troops visit
houses. chiefly at night. it is said, and
carry Off by force all the men within
the prescribed ages.
The Austrian authorities are reported
to be making an effort to direct public
wrath against Italy by posting mani
festoes affirming that the levy has been
made necessary only by the treachery
Of Italy.
The order from the italian govern.
ment calling for q general mobilization
was hailed with intense enthusiasm in
1t was greeted with a great
popular demonstration, crowds march.
ing through the streets for many hours.
At Rovigno, In Istria. sixty-two Ital.
ian citizens have been arrested. These
include the mayor. Signor d'Avanzo.
and the secretary Of the municipality.
All Italian citizens residing near the
of Pola have been taken
into custody by the police. and at Cor
mons. on the frontier, 1000 Italians.
for thu most paIt women and children