The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1915-05-26
ITALIANS At WAR
WITH THE TFUT0NS
Joins the Allies in Titanic
Struggles
GREAT EXCITEMENT
IN EVERY QUARTER
Although Drastic Action has been
Looked for MomentariIy, Italians OF
all Glasses have been Electrified by
Swiftly Moving Events.

all Glasses have been Electrified by
Swiftly Moving Events.
Rome, May 23 (via Paris)-Italy
is at war with Austria Hungary. With
the issuance Of the general mobiliza-
tion order, the Italian government is
sued proclamation declaring war on
Austria which officially will begin to-
morrow.
Prior to this, and after lengthy
consultation, the ministers of war
and marine proclaimed all the prov
inces bordering on Austria and the
islands and coast town of the Adri-
actic in a state of war, which was
equivalent to the establishment Of
martial law, the step usually preced-
ing the formal declaration.
Although drastic action has been
looked for momentarily Italians of
all classes have been electrified by
the swiftly moving events. Early this
morning great crowds gathered around
the Quirinal to await the ministers,
who called on the king for the pur-
pose of discussing the question and
signing the decree.
When Premier Salandra and Signor
Sonnino, the fore yn minister, left the
palace the peopl, cheered them en-
Enthusiastically. Gen. Zuppcli, minis
ter OF war, and Vice Admiral viale.
minister of marine, remained with
the king for q considerable time after
the others left and later they had
conference with Lieut.. Gen. Cadorna,
chief of staff, and Vice Admiral
Phaon dj Revel, chief Of the naval
staff.
When the first blow will be struck
can not be foretold but after many
months Of preparation the army,
which has been greatly strengthened,
and the navy, are ready. Exceeding
~ strong forces are in position all
along the Austro- Italian frontier, on
the Austrian side OF which feverish
preparations have been going on the
last few days to make the forts as
strong as possible, and to clear the
way for effective artillery action.
The German ambassador, Prince
yon Buelow, and the Austrian ambas-
sador, Baron Won Macchio, are still
In Rome, SO far as is known. They
have waited to the last moment in
tho hope that some way might he
found to prevent q clash at arms.
They will be given safe conduct when
they do leave, and so far as German
and Austrian residents In Italy are
concerned, every effort has been made |
to see them safely out Of the country. !
On the other hand, most alarming
reports have been received from tho
Italians that italian residents il tho
Austrian Tyfol are experiencing great
difficulty Iii returning Is Italy and
in many cases have been placed un-
der arrest
: Accord'hs to The Gior.ale d'Italia,
the. problems confrentlna the diplo-
mass accredited to the vatican has
been solved satisfactorily, Austrian
and German diplomats, ignoring the
situation In Italy, viii depart as il
they were rn6rcly taking their sum
mcr vacations before the regular
time. It had been urged by sohR that
the Italian government move energeti-
ally with respect to these diplomatic
representative and others that the vat
lean resist any effort 70 force them to
withdraw But those extreme meas
1lres failed.
from Germany comes reports that
considerable sediment ,s felt IN on
cial quarters there against Wat Is
alleged to a}e the obstinacy OF the Aus
trian diplomacy responsible for the
fai,Wi'e Of the negotiations with Italy
initiated by Primo Toh Buelow, the
German ambassador. The suggestion
had been even made that Austria
should be left alone to fight alone, but
pledges. taKah by the Gorman. general
staff. ana by the German emperor per-
sohallS with Emperor Francis SJoseph
resulted in the triumph u, :thbse advo.
eating Austro-Germa4, Aplfdarity even
in new, war against Ita1y.
, About, 100000 fBAyafSatfs and HUI.
garians have ,.elrsa&y fbeen concsa~
tfafsd hgainst italy, &astria insuriaa