The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-26

which for so many years had been volnr tarfly repressed.
 While the treaty of alliance contained no formal agreement for the use of the Italian language, of the maintanence of Italian tradition and Italian civiliza ton in the Italian provinces of Austria never- the less if the alliance was to be effective in preserving peace and harmony 1t was indisputably clear that Austria Hungary. as our ally should have taken into ac- count the moral obligation of respecting what constituted some of the most vital interests of Italy.
 Instead. the constant policy of the Austro- Hungarian government was to de- stroy Italian nationality and Italian civil ization all along the coast of the Adriatics brief statement will suffice Substitu- tion of the officials of the Italian zee by officials of other nationalities artificial immigration of hundreds of families of d different nationality; replacement of Ital- ian by other labor; standardization of the judicial administration refusal of Austria to permit an Italian university in Trest, which formed the subject of di- plomatic negotiations encourageme of other nationalities to the detriment Of the 1 Italian, and finally the methodical and 1 unjustifiabe expulsion of Italians in eye- l increasing numbers.
 This deliberate and persistent policy of l the Austro- Hungarian government with reference to the Italian population was not only due to internal condf- tions brought about by the competi- l tion of the different nationalities within ;, it's territory, but was inspired in part by a deep sentiment of hostility and aversion i toward Italy. which prevailed particularly i in the quarters closest to the Austro- Hungarian government and influenced de- cisively its course of action. Of the many i instances which could be cited it Is enough i to say that in 1911, while Italy was en- gagged in war with Turkey, the Austro- Hungarian general staff prepared cam paign against us and the military party prosecuted energeticaly a political in- trisue designed to draw in other respon- sible elements of Austria The mobiliza- = ton of an army upon our frontier left us in no doubt of our neighbor's sentiment and intentions. The crisis was settled pa- officially through the influence, so far as known, of outside factors: but since that time we have been constantly under ap- | prehension of a sudden attack when- ever the party opposed to us should get the upper hand in Vienna
 Had Sincere Desire for Peace
 "Al of this was known in Italy. and it was only the sincere desire for peace prevailing among the Italian people which prevented rupture. After the European war broke out Italy sought to come to an understanding with Austria Hungary
 with vie wtc settlement satisfactory to both parties which might avert existing
 and future trouble. Her efforts were in
 vain, notwithstanding the efforts of Ger
 many which for months endeavored to in-
 duce Austra- Hungary to. comply with
 ltalys suggestions, thereby recognizing
 the propriety and legitimacy of the Italian
 attitude. Then Italy found herself com
 peiled by force of events to seek other
 solutions
 Ina smuch as the treaty of alliance witt
 Austria Hungary had ceased virtually t.
 exist and served only to prolong a state
 of continual friction and mutual sus. picion the Italian ambassador at Vienna was instructed to declare to the Austro l Hungarian government that the Italian government considered itself free iron the ties arising out of the treaty of tht
 triple alliance insofar as Austria-Hun
 gary was concerned This communication
 was delivered in Vienna, on May V
 Subsequently to this declaration ant
 after We had been obliged to take step
 for the protection of our interests. tn 1 Austro- Hungarian government submitted
 new concessions. which. however wer'
 deemed insufficient and by no means me
 cur minimum demands. These offers coul(
 not be considered under the circum
 stances
 The Italian government. taking int
 consideration what has been stated abov and supported by the vote of Parliamen and the solemn manifestation of the coun
 try, came to the decision that any furthe , delay would be inadvisable. Therefore ol , this day (May 23) it was declared in tn name of the King to the Austro-Hun , garian ambassador al Rome that begin ming tomorrow, May A. it will conside 3 itself in a state of war with Austria Hungary. Orders to this effect also wer , telesraphed yesterday to the Italian am ? bassador at Vienna
 , The document takes its place in stat
 department archives along with the othe notes and messages received at the out break of the war from the foreign Of n fices of Europe explaining the position s of the respective governments and thei 1 reasons for action. None sof these ha $ been published, although the Furopea governments have covered substantiall the same ground in the various pamphlet detailing the diplomatic negotiations prio 1 to the declaration of war