The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-26

fhp nlSf UDI tItIlSlOu WnIcU appears ~
exist as to the precise meaning and
consequences VI the adoption OF any
such course rs this by the United
states with regard to Austria-Hun-
eary.
The latter abandoned all diplomatic
and consular intercourse with Mex
leo. following the execution of MAXI
milan, an Austrian Archduke, at
uuerctaro in 1867. and did not resume
il until more than thirty n after
ward. Rut hat did not prevent SUBJ
,ccts uf the Dual Empire from pursu-
ing their vocatiOns in Mexico. where
Their interests were cared for by the
representatives of other European ma
tons. while in tho same way Mexicans
suffered no inconvenience while So
i~ourning temporarily or residing per-
manently in the duminions OF Francis
Joseph. save that they were barred
from court entertainments and more
or less ~boycotted by the great world
a, Vienna and at Budapest.
II the Austrian monarch broke of
diplomatic and consular intercourse
with Mexico II was in token OF his
grief and Indignation at the fate melted
ont TO his brother Macmillan on the
plains OF Queretaro. II the United
states inaugurates n rupture Of diplO-
matte and consular relations with Aus
iria-Hungary IL will be as a manifes-
,a,ion of her anger at the refusal of
tho Nicnnese Government to accord
any redress or satisfaction for the
American lives lost through the sink
ing Of the Italian steamship Ancona
bv an Austrian submarine without
warning.
Just at the present moment We
have before u eyes an extraordinary
illustration of a case Of interruption
OF diplomatic and consular relations
without war. All diplomatic inter-
course between Germany and Italy
has been sundered since the day when
the Government Of Victor Emmanuel
decided To throw in Its lot with the
Allies and embark upon war against
Austria. But, although relatively few
people seem to be aware of the fact.
~ state of war AS Yet exists between
Germany and Italy. This. too. In spite
Of tho fact that Italy has pledged her
scif by treaty not 10 consent to peace,
save In conjunction with France,
Great Blitain, Russia and Japan. thus
arrdNinC the nation definitely OF the
sle Of the Entente Powers: while
o. o.. other hand Germany is pro-
claiming far and wide her intention.
Dr. tho event OF a victorious eac TO
irsist upon a restoration to the Papacy
a. It's former temporal possessions,
including the Eternal City-this with
'hc object ~ winning the favor and
So, ,,A,.ai sttn,nrt ~ Iynrnan IA hnti
in all parts Of the world. II is "A some
what strange offer and pledge to come
from Emperor William. who pridcs
himself on being the champion and
defender If Lutheranism. n who is
thu ruler Of the greatest Of all Lu-
thcrau nations.
How careful the Kaiser IL to avoid
anything that can be construed as
sctual warfare. on his past, against
Italy. Is demonstrated by his refusal
70 despatch German troops to assist
-ho .Nustrians in defending the sadly
threatened Gorilla. the Carso Plateau
and the whole sonZo line against the
terrible o~nslauchts of the Italian un-
der Gen. CadoIna That Gorilla Is on
ne point of being taken-it may have
fallen ere his letter appears in print
and the that the road
vii virtually he open to Trieste. and
Mat tho Italians would rye he able
IN turn the Tolmin and Predil group
~ fnrircsSps in "A march northward II
Vienna. seems to leave Emperor Will
ian u~ndisturbed. and he persists In
turning a deaf ear to the Austrian
clamor for German aid.
So indifferent does he show himself
70 ltaly's penetration OF Austria's
frontier fortress barrier that he Is
compelling the officers of his army
who volunteer for service d the
Austrian flag against Italy to resign
a. any rate temporarily, the commits
SONS which they hold from him. Any
Germans In arms against Italy are
fighting not under the German bu;
under the Austrian flag. not in Ger
man but In Austrian uniforms n AS
subjects of Emperor Francis Joseph
instead Of as lieges Of Kaiser Wilhelm
Reports differ as to the number OF
Germans thus enrolled In the ranks
~ tho Austrian troops now resisting
Italian invasion. But 1t Is believed
that there are relatively few. n this
Impression seems to he borne out by
Tho bitterness displayed. both at Vi
eura and at Budapest. against Berlin
for refusing to lend the urgently
needed assistance along the Isonzo line
o. defence.
Y is said that one of the reasons
Which are causing Emperor William
=" adopt this attitude toward Italy Is
Tho ftct that Germany still has vast
commercial and industrial interests In
Italy and has an immense amount OF
tapltal invested in all sorts OF enter
Ir.scs in the Peninsula. Moreover
every Italian port Is crowded to the
utmost with German shipping. no less
Than seventy large liners belonging t.
tho Hamburg and Bremen companies
having lain at Genoa since the begin
r'nc Of the war, when they sought
refuge there from English and French
cruisers.
MI this shipping, which has SO enor-
monSly Increased In value by reason
/" the war. would he at once seized
~ tho Italian Government in the
event ~ the Inauguration OF any &C
tlAl war with Germany, and the 1tal'
ian authorities would likewise at once
pr coed To scquester all German cap
lldI ana German property In the Pen
Msn'a, i'm Sicily and in Sardinia. More
over, Italians would he relieved ol
e|!>' "he Of their financial obligations
GormanS, and tho material loss Il
'lf IrIrnnn Innnln ttnIil1 hn iInnan2a