The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-03
Premier Salandra Explains Ma
TONS Plunge Into the War.
Says 1t Was to Safeguard An
cient Aspirations.
ALL BLAME ON AUSTRIA
Dual Monarchy Is Charged
With Starting the Conflict.
Italians Urged to See Sanctity
of COuntry's Course.

Rome, June 3.-"We entered this,
the greatest war in history, to safe
guard the highest and most ancient
aspirations, the most vital interests of
our country" was the declaration of
Premier Salandra in an address at the
meeting held here to make plans for
the relief of persons in civil life who
may be made needy as the result Of
the war.
War imposes duties not only upon
the combatants but also upon those
who remain at home,'' continued the
premier, and they must see that the
national life is not interrupted Ita1-
ians of all classes must not only have
a spontaneous and profound feeling
but a reasoned conviction of the JUS
tice of our cause and the sanctity of
our war;
Premier Salandra then reviewed the
diplomatic events leading up to the
conflict from the time of the assassi-
nation of Arch Duke Francis Ferdi-
nand. Italy's former allies, he de-
clared, had no right to say Italy be-
trayed them for she never disguised
her views on. Austrian aggression
against Serbia and it's consequences.
In support of his argument he read
dispatch to the Duke of Avarna, am
bassador to Austria, sent him on July
25, 1914, by the Marquis San Guiliano.
the late minister of foreign affairs, de-
failing an interview he had with Signor
Salandra and Hans Won F'lotow, then
German ambassador to Italy.
Blame on Austria.
During this interview the speaker
declared he and Marquis San Giuliano
pointed out to Herr Won FlotoW that
Austria, by the terms of the triple al
lance treaty, had no right to take the
step she had taken at Belgrade with
out previously coming to an agree
ment with her allies and that Austria'S
clearly ShnWa6 he 70,
provoke war. The Italian statesman
therefore informed the German am
bassador, the premier said, that under
the circumstances Italy was not
obliged to help Austria if the latter ma
ton found herself at war with Rus
STA in consequence of an act of ag-
gresSion.
Premier Salandra asserted that on
July 27 and %, 1914, the Italian gov
eminent raised in clear terms the
question of the cession to Italy of the
so-called italian provinces held by
Austria, both at Vienna and Berlin
Outbreak Premeditated.
I'VE declared" he said, that if
Italy did not obtain a compensation
the triple alliance would be irrepar-
ably broken. Impartial history will
say that Austria, having found IN July
and October, 1913, that Italy was hos
tile to aggressive intentions against
Serbia, arranged with Germany to
take Europe by surprise by confront
ing 1t with an accomplished fact. The
horrible crime at Sarajevo was ex-
plotted as pretext a month after it
occurred. Foreign Minister Won Berch-
told, told the Duke of Avarna on July
81, last, that even if mediation were
employed it would not stop hostili-
ties with Serbia.
1T was not true as Count .Tisza has
pretended that Austria engaged her
self to respect the integrity of Serbian
territory. Kajetan Mercy Won kapos-
Mere, then Austrian ambassador, told
Marquis San Giuliano, July 80, that
Austria could not give such an engage
ment because she could not foresee
that during the war she woIld not
be forced against her will to retain
Serbian territory. In addition Count
Won Berchtold declared to the Duke
of Avarna on August %, last that he
was not disposed to give any under
ia king relative to the eventual action
of Austria in case of a. conflict with
IL,