The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-13
Count Berchtold to Baron vos
Nacchio. ,TeIcgraM.D

VIENNA, August %. 1914.
81 authorize your Exccllency stimuli
t~aneously with your German colleague
TO inform the Roman abine that we
accept the Italian Interpretation regard
ing the expression dams les regions des
Balcans.' We have upheld Article VII.
withou, reservation. not only during
the present crisis. but during the entire
curator OF the Alliance treaty. This
statement means that We are prepared
10 enter INTO pourparlers with Italy
regarding the question of compensation
In case of the temporary seizure OF any
district in the Balkans"
statement from the Imperial aud
, Royal Government to the Royal Italian
government through the Imperial and
Royal Foreign Minister to the Royal
Italian Am ba ssadOr at Vienna, May 81,
1915,
The Austro-Hungarian Minister for
Foreign Affairs has had the honor to re-
ceive a statement concerning the abro-
CATION of the Triple Alliance which the
Italian Ambassador made to him on be-
half Of the Royal Italian Government
on May 4. 1t was with painful surprise
that the Imperial and Royal Govern
ment received the announcement Of tho
Italian Governments decision abruptly
TO terminate the treaty founded on our
mutually most important interests which
for SO many years has given our States
security and peace and has rendered
Italy noteworthy services a surprise
the more justified as the facts on which
the Royal Government bases its decision
70 back over nine months and as the
Royal Government since then repeatedly
has expressed "A wish 10 maintain the
treaty relations hctween our countries
and even to strengthen them. u wish
which always has met with n favorable
a.1 -Nl.a1 - -
Hungary.
The reasons compelling the imperial
and royal Government to sond an ulti-
matum to Serbia in July last are to,
well known to repeat here. The aim
which Austria Hungary set herself. con-
sisting solely In protecting the monarchy
from Serbia's revolutionary Vaccinations
and to prevent the continuation Of an
agitation aiming AZ the acknowledgment
OF Austria Hungary and resulting irN Sc
rious attempts. ending with the horrible
deed at Sarajevo. could In no wise affect
Italy's interests. The imperial and royal
Government never supposed, and always
considered the possibility to be excluded,
that ltaly's Interests might he associated
with any criminal activities directed
against Austria-Hungary's safety and
territorial integrity, but which unfor-
tunately were connived at me encour-
aged by the Belgrade Government.
THE Italian Government beside has
been informed. and knew that Austria
Hungary had no intentions OF the rom
quest of new territory. II expressly
stated 70 Rome that Austria Hungary, II
the war remained local, had no intention
OF assailing Servia's territorial integrity
and sovereignty.
When, As a result OF Russ!a's inter-
vention. a mere local conflict between
Austria and Serbia, against our wishes,
became European, and Austria-IIungaiy
and Germany found themselves attacked
by several great Powers, the royal Gov
eminent announced Italy's neutrality
without, however, the slightest indica-
tion that this war, long prepared by Rus
sia, might be convenient to her existence.
1T is sufficient to refer To- the declara-
tons made by the Marquis di san Guilt
amos telegram sent on ugu ., l9li.
10y the kinp Of Italy to the Emperor T.
King TO prove that the royal Govern-
ment then said nothing tn the effect tlst
.\ustria-Huneary's actions were contra ~
10 the obligations OF our alliance.
Attacked by the l. wers of the Triple
Entente, Austria-IIunsary and Germany
must defend their territories, but tins
defensive war has nOthirg to do with "a
programme opposed 10 the realization OF
ltalys most vital interests" These vital
interests. or what we know II them,
were In no nanner threatened. II Italy,
however, felt disturbed in this respect
! s,c ought to have complained To Vienna
| and Berlin, Both undoubtedly were ready
and inclined to s~afeEusrd these interests.
The royal Government then held the
! opinion OF their allies as to these matters
that they Involved no right to invoke
treaty "blisations. hut she made to us a
settlement Justifyine her belief that she