Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-24

AhoS W1Cn the
issuance of the general mobilization
order the Italian government tonight
officially announced that it had de-
clared war against AuStria-Hungary
Eleven Nations Now at War.
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 Sarejevo, Bosnia, to support
the Germanic empires. She declined
and there being a series of diplomatic
negatiotions which soon resolved
themselves into efforts on the part of
the Germans and Austrians to induce
Italy to remain neutral.
Germany Tried to Restrain Italy.
Prince Won Buelow. an astute Ger
man statesman, whose wife is an
italian woman, was sent to Rome with
instructions to do his utmost to save
the union. He labored indefatigably
for months, but in vain. He offered
Italy certain parts of Austrian terri
tory as the price of her neutrality.
but her answer was always TT is not
enough" 1t now appears that Aus
tria did not really believe that Italy
would enter the field against her.
People of Italy Demanded War.
In the meantime there had arisen
in Italy a war party led by the ''irre-
dentists which made it's voice heard
in no uncertain terms. Dispatches
from Rome for months past have in
dicated that the sentiment for active
participation in the war was far
stronger than that in favor of con-
tinued neutrality.
The cabinet of Premier Salandra
resigned early in May. This was the
signal for violent demonstrations in
many of the important cities, all in
favor of war. A wave of patriotic
fervor swept the country and the peo-
a beginning of hostilities. Troops had
to be called out to maintain order, but
everybody and everything which rep
resented continued neutrality was de-
nOunced and decried. Even relatives
of King Victor Emmanuel were hooted
and there was talk of revolution. The
emperor of Austria Hungary was
burned in eff1gy in Rome and ex-
Premier Giolotti leader of the paci-
fcists, was driven into seclusion.
Quiet While Waiting Call to Arms.
These evidences of the popular dem
onstrations had their effect. The an
nouncement was made that the min
istry of Premier Salandra would con-
tinue in Office, whereupon there was
instant calm throughout the country.
Having gained their point, the people
quieted down as quickly as they had
risen and awaited the call to arms.
For months the diplomatic eX-
changes between Vienna and Rome
nave been constant, but the most per-
sistent efforts of the diplomats to keep
Italy out of the war were futile. The
TTinlQ alliance denounced hV If9lV
on May 4, but even after this diplO-
matte endeavors were continued, Aus
tria offering Italy further concessions
as late as May 10.
ItaIys First Move on Land.
Italy's first move on land undoubt-
edly will be against the Austrian from
tier. Large numbers of her troops are
modified in this territory and the
forces of Austria-Hungary are lined
up on the other side of the boundary.
The very mountainous character of the
terrain where the opposing armies
face cath other the southern part of
the Austrian Alps, promises operations
and fighting of the most difficult ma
ture. For several weeks past both the
Austro- Hungarian and the Italian ar
mics have been engaged in fortify-
ing and otherwise adopting protective
measures each on its own side of the
dividing line.
Italian Fleet in the Adriatic.
So far as known. the Italian fleet
is mostly in the Adriatic. under the
command of the Duke of the Abruzzi,
through his visits to the United States
some ten years ago. 1t is generally
believed that the fleet will proceed
promptly against the naval strength of
Austria in these waters.
On the Adriatic are the Austrian
T,i1 DBL L
is in Hungary. The Dalmatian coast
is also Austria's. The Dar6anelles
are less than 800 miles from southern
Italy and her participation in the
operations against these Turkish pos
sessions should be expected.
What Italy Hopes to Gain.
One great purpose of Italy entering
the war is to gain possession of "un-
redeemed Italy," a sweep of Austrian
the head of the Adriatic sea. This re-
gion, which includes Trent and Trieste,
is Italian in all but nationality. To
attain it has long been her cherished
ambition.
Territory in Dispute.
The territory in dispute may be de-
fined as the sections of Austria south
of a line drawn in the Rhaetian Alps,
where Italy, Austria and Switzerland
meet, eastward to the Carnio Alps and
thence southwark along to the Italian
Alps and again eastward so as to in
clude Ffume. The first part of this
territory forms a wedge penetrating
Italy between Lombardy and Venetia
and cutting Lake Garda, while the
second includes the peninsula of Istria
and runs northward to the Julian Alps
between the Tagliamento and Save riv-
ers. This territory is called Italia
Irredenta" (unredeemed ItaIy) because
it once formed part of the Italian states