Evening star., 1915-05-20

ihdn chancellor before the reichstap
tuesday shows that Germany is still
hoping against hope that Italy may
not Join in the war against Austria.
The Giornale DItalia says that the
imperial German Chancellor Dr Won
Bethmann-H -Hollweg, forgot to sav ~
What time Austria made the offers OF
adds: on"
The Austrian offers came after the
tlme fixed by Italy for the acceptance
OF her demands. when the treaty with
! austria had already been denounced
EVen as announced by the German
ecnahceilor, the Austrian offers are far
nhias,. .hGm approaching Italy's demands.
Gnieny with respect to Trieste, which
tlaly wished to be at least absolutely
Tree and Independent from Austria. and
me strategical situation in the Adri-
a.c, winch Italy desired should be
changed to her advantage
Trieste remaining an Austrian touyn
wouiu nave been at the mercy of the
vienna government. which could have
WITHDRAWN her municipal autonomy at
| their pleasure, possibly forcing it.Iv
| to fight Austria alone.
| II would have been better had the
herman chancellor told the entire truth
ana placed the Austrian offers and the
itaiian demands side by side"
Italy's Minimum Demands.
Ahe iHiHimum demands made upon
Austria in behalf of Italy by Foreign
Minister Sonnino were:
First The cession of the entire prov
ince of Trent (part of the Austria
TyroD. according to the frontier of the
Kingdom of Italy in 1911
Second. Eastern Friueli. comprising
Malborgeth. Plezzo, Tolmino, Gradisca.
Goritz. Monfalcons, Comen, and as far
north as Nabresina.
Third. Trieste. Cape DIstria and Pi-
rano the last two in Istria), to form
new state Independent from Austria
Fourth. The islands of Curzola. I,issa
Lesina. Lagosta. Cazza and Maleda (off
the coast of lower Dalmatia) to be ced-
ed to Italy.
her interests in Albania. acknowledg-
ing Italian sovereignty over Avalona
Frontier in Military Hands.
The frontier towns of Udine, Belluno,
Verona and Brescia. as well as their
respective provinces. are entirely in
the hands of the military authorities.
and trains carrying field guns. horses,
troops ammunition and provisions are
congesting all the lines. The peasants
houses are occupied by officers eyery
family being obliged, according to its
| size and means, to provide lodging, and
In some cases meals for one or more
officers.
The spirit of the Italian troops is ex-
cellent and the officers are full of con-
fidence not only because Of the enthu-
siasm displayed by the men, but by
reason of the superiority of their arms.
1t is said that Italy possesses tho
most powerful machine gun in exist
ence. capable of firing 1,400 bullets a
minute. covering an area of 500 square
yards. Italy has also adopted a new
type OF gun carriage, nabling the
transport even up steep mountains of
heavy siege guns. through a mechanism
in the carriage which propeIs the can
non.
Twenty-Five thousand carabineers
have been recalled under the colors,
and there are about $4,000 select troops
which can be used for scouting and
advance-guard service. But 10000 OF
these have been grouped into four regi-
ments. to which has been intrusted the
flag which the carabineers carried in
1S48, when, under the leadership of
King Charles Albert himself they de-
feated the Austrians.
A large contingent of italian soldiers
are wearing uniforms made of cloth
originally intended for Austria, but
sequestrated as contraband of war.
The cloth is somewhat different in
color than that worn by the rest of the
Italian army, being of a deeper green.
The greatest anxiety is felt for Ven
ice, where large platforms have been
hastily constructed for new batteries
to protect the town. The danger to the
monuments from aeroplanes is recog-
nized. Protective measures have also
been taken in Florence. Rome and
Naples, since the Austrians can easily
reach these towns from, the Dalmatian
coast.
All Parties United.
The days of Italys regeneration are
recalled by the events of the present
Apparently there are no factions in
Italy now. all differences having been
laid aside. Those who have been ad-
vocating Intervention in the war and
interest of peace have ceased to ex-
press their views and are awaiting the
action of the government.
The republicans have published a
manifesto declaring their readiness to
go to the front ito fight for the glory
of the country and the right of ma
tions" From all the provinces come
offers from volunteers desiring to en-
list and willing to make all sacrifices,
as some express it, ito free our Italian
brothers, who have SO long suffered
under a foreign yoke"
King Victor Emmanuel visited the
barracks yesterday without an escort.
He was recognized and acclaimed with
the same enthusiasm his grand
father on the eve of those eventful
of 1859 and 1866.
Queen Helena and the Duchess eA
A laax