Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-27
FIRST MOVE
TO BE AGAINST
AUSTRIAN BORDER
Mountainous Nature of the Country Will Make
Land Operations Extremely Difficult
Italian Fleet Expected to Strike Quick Blow
Army EXcels in Artillery.

The entrance of italy into the world
war which bsigan 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 SaraieVo, Bosnia, to
support the Germanic empires she
declined and there began Il series of
diplomatic negotiations which soon re-
solved themselves into efforts on the
part of Germany and Austria Hun
gary to induce Italy to remain neutral
Prince Won Buelow, an astute German
statesman. whose wife is an Italian
woman. was sent to Rome with instruc-
tions to do his utmost to save the situa-
tion. He labored indefatgably for
months, but in vain. He offered Italy
certain parts of Austrian territory as the
price OF her neutrality, but her answer
was always. 1T is not enough" 1t now
appears that Austria did not really be-
lieve that Italy would enter the field
against her.
WAR PARTY AROSE
In the meantime there had arisen in
Italy a war party led by the "lrreden-
lists" which made its voice heard in no
uncertain terms. Dispatches from Rome
for months past have indicated that the
sentiment for active participation in the
war was stronger by far than that on
the side of c9ntinued neutrality.
The cabinet of Premier Salandra re-
signed early in May. This was the signal
for violent demonstrations in many Of
the important cities of the Kingdom all
in favor of war A wave of patriotic
fervor swept the country and the people
were loud in their demands for war
Troops had to be called out to maintain
order, but everybody and everything
which represented continued neutrality
was denounced and decried. Even rela-
tives of King Victor Emmanuel We're
hooted and there was talk of revolution
The Emperor of Austria Hungary was
burned In effigy in Rome and ex-Premier
Giolittl. leader of the pacificsts, was
driven into seclusion.
PEOPLE WERE QUIETED.
These evidences Of the popular de-
termination 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 and turned their faces
to await the call of arms.
For months the diplomatic ex-
OH hat
been constant. but the most persistent
efforts Of the diplomatists to keep
Italy out Of the war were futile The
triple alliance was denounced by Italy
on May 4, but even after this diploma
tic endeavors were continued, Austria
offering Italy further concessions as
late as May 10.
1taly's first move on land undoubt-
eddy will be against the Austrian
frontier. 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 boun-
Diary. The very mountainous charac-
ter Of the country promises operations
and lighting of the most difficult ma =
ture. For several weeks past both the
Austro-Hungarians and the Italian
armies have been engaged in fortify-
Ing and otherwise adopting protective
measures.
ABRUZZI COMMANDS FLEET.
So far as known, the Italian fleet is
mostly in the Adria,ic, under COM
mand of the Duke of the Abruzzi, who
Is known to many Americans through
Visits m ITpIt tota
years ago. 1t is generally believed
that the fleet will proceed promptly
against the naval strength of Austria
In these waters.
on the Adratic are the Austrian
ports of Trieste and Pola. and Fiume
is in Hungary. The Dalamatian coast
is also Austrias The Dardanelles are
less than 500 miles from southern
Italy and her participation in the
operations against these Turkish posi-
lions should be expected,
ITALY WANTS TERRITORY.
One great purpose Of Italy In enter
Ing the war is to gain possession OF
"unredeemed Italy" sweep of Aus
trian territory to the north and east
near the head OF the Adriatic sea. This
region. which includes Trent and
Trieste, Is Italian In all but nationality.
DISTRICT OF TRENT.
The district OF the city of Trent, known
In Italy as the Trentino, once formed
part of the Roman colony of Tridentinl,
which in l027 passed under the rule of a
bishop and then, after various changes.
came into possession of Austria, together
with Iombardy and Venetia. After the
defeat of Austria in 1859 by Piedmont and
France and even after Piedmont had
taken over Lombardy and the Kingdom
of Italy had been formed in 1861. Aus
tia continued to hold Nenetia until her
defeat in the Ausuo-German war of
lst6 gave II to Italy. There was left I'm
possession Of Austria, however, the weds q
of the Trent district, as a menace TO
Italy.
The territory in dispute may be de-
hned roughly as the sections of Austria
south Of line drawn in the Rhaetian
Alps where Italy Austria and Switzer-
land meet. eastward to the 'Canic Alps
and thence southwark along to the Ital.
ian Alps and again eastward so
as to include Fiumc The first part of
this territory forms wedge penetrating