Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-27

||ALY'S REASON FOR
WAR DECLARATION
REASON SET FORTH At LENGTH
FOR BENEFIT OF NEUTRAL
NATIONS.

NATIONS INTEREST SHOWN
TO HAVE BEEN MENAcEp
Declaration Of War Only Means Of
Safeguarding Her Position Among
European Powers-Should Have
Been Consulted Concerning Ultima
tum to Servia Sent by Austria.
+! Washington, May 27.-Italy has adj
dressed to the neutral governments OF
the world lengthy communication
explaining her reasons for declaring
war on Austria. Count di Callere. the
Italian ambassador, presented the
! document to Secretary Bryan in the
form of note to the United States
government.
1t reviews negotiations between Italy
and Austria, revealing that they began
Immediately upon the dispatch of Aus
tria's ultimatum to Serbia. Italy
claimed then that the action of Austria
disturbed the equilibrium of the Bal
kans and the peace of Europe in a way
that vitally affected Italian interests.
! AS an ally of Austria, Italy asserts the
right to have been consulted before
sending of the ultimatum, the first
news Of which was received thru the
newspapers. Ealing to obtain thru di-
plimccy the satisfaction of her terri
torial and national aspirations, Italy
announces that a declaration Of war
was the only means of safeguarding
her position in Europe.
Text Of the Note.
The text of the note as translated
and issued by the Italian embassy fol-
lows:
The triple alliance was essentially
defensive and designed solely to pre-
serve the status quo. or, in other words
the equilibrium in Europe That these
were its only objects and purposes is
established by the letter and spirit OF
the treaty. as we'll as by the intentions
clearly described and set forth In Of
ficial acts of the ministers who created
the alliance and confirmed and renewed
il in the interest of peace, which al
ways has inspired the Italian policy.
The treaty. as long a its intents
and purpose had been Loyalty inter-
preted and regarded and as long as it
had not been used as a pretext for ag-
gression against others. greatly con-
tributed to the eliminat ton and settle
ment of causes of conflict, and for
many years assured to Europe the in
estimable benefits of peace.
But Austro- Hungary severed the
treaty by her own hands. She rejected
the response of Serbia. which gave to
her all the satisfaction she could legiti-
mately claim. She refused 10 listen to
the conciliatory proposals presented by
Italy in conjunction with other powers.
in the effort to spare Europe from a
vast conflict certain tod rench the con-
tinent with blood and to reduce it to
ruin beyond the conception of human
imagination and finally she provoked
that conflict.
article ! of the treaty embodied the
usual and necessary obligations of such
pacts-the pledge to exchange views
upon any practical and other questions
of general nature that might arise.
Pursuan: 10 its terms, none OF the
contracting parties had the right to
undertake without previous agree :
ment any step the consequence OF
which might impose a duty upon the
other signatories arising out of the al
lance. or which would in any way
whatsoever encroach upon their vital
interests This article was violated by
Austro Hungary when sne sent to Ser
bia her note dated July %. 1914, an
action taken without the previous as
sent of Italy.
Moderation Advised.
Thus Austro- Hungary violated be-
yond doubt one of the fundamental
principles of the treaty. The obligation
Of Austro Hungary to come to pre-
vious understanding with Italy was the
greater because her obstinate policy
against Serbia gave rise TO situation
which directly tended to proyocation OF
an European war.
LAS far as the beginning of July,
1914. the Italian government preoc-
cupied by the prevailing feeling N
Vienna, caused to be laid before the
Austro- H hungarian government num-
her of suggestions advising moderation
and warning it of the impending dan
ger of an European outbreak. the
course adopted by Austro- Hungary
against Serbia constituted. moreover, a
direct encroachment upon the general
interest Of Italy. both political and
economical. in the Balkan peninsula.
Austro- Hungary could not for mo-
mens imagine that Italy could remain
Indifferent while Serbian independence
was trodden upon.
"Austro- Hungary was further adj
yised that Italy could never permit
that equilibrium to be disturbed by
her prejudice.
This warning has been conveyed
by her diplomats in private converse
lions not only with responsible Austro-
Hungarian officials, but was pro-
claimed publicly by Italian statesmen
! Off the floors of parliament.
Therefore, when Austria Hungary
| ignored the usual practices and men,
aced Serbia by sending her an ulti-
/ ma u1a1s without IN any way notifying
the Italian government Of what she
proposed to do, indeed leaving that
| government to learn of her action thru
the press rather than thru the usua
channels Of diplomacy, when Austro-
1 Hungary took this Unprecedented
course, she not only severed her ALI
ance with Italy. but committed an ac'
/ inimical to Italian interests. The
Italian government had obtained trust.
I worthy information that the complete
program laid down by Austro Hungary
with reference to the Balkans wa.
/ prompted by desire to decrease Italy's
i economical and political influence IL
4 I4L 1xy a. mr.