West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-05-27
WAR ON AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
NOW DECLARED BY ITALY
Long Expected Break Has Come
and Diplomatic Relations Be
tween Two Nations Severed
Clash Between Italian and Aus
tr:Al Troops on Border Reported

in decree signed by King Victor at
Rome. Baron Won Macchio. the Aus
trian ambassador. was handed his
passports and left Rome immediate
ly. The Italian ambassador at Wen
ma was recalled.
All preliminary arrangements have
been completed and the work of as
sembling the land and naval forces
is going forward smoothly.
More than 100000 men. fully
equipped with arms and ammunition.
ii is expected. will be put in the field
within a month.
Several clashes already have been
reported from the border. Austrian
troops attempted to invade Italian
territory through the pass between
Pont Didlegno and Pejo. The Ital-
ian Alpine chasseurs halted them at
Forcellini di Montovvo and drove
them back across the border. into
Austria. The Austrian troops formed
frontier patrol. The Italian forces
ter is the first skirmish of any import
ance between the two forces.
The notices of general mobilization
and the declaration OF war caused n
wild outburst of enthusiasm through
the entire country. The only sent-
ment was one OF deep. heartfelt Joy
that at last the die is cast and Italy
is freed from an alliance which al
ways has been burdensome.
The first hint that war was declared
was given by the bells of Rome's an
cient capitol. 1t was known within
an unbelievable time to the entire
city.
The kings decree for the assem-
bling of the nations armed forces
came as reply to the Austro- Hun
garian governments statement re-
garding the Italian remuneration of the
triple alliance treaty. The Vienna note
was handed to the Italian ambassador
at the Austrian capital on Friday.
The note states that the Austro-
Hungarian government cannot accept
the Italian governments statement.
which "contradicts the obligation sol
emnly adopted by Italy on December
10, 1913. which fixed the duration of
the triple alliance until June 13. 1920
permitting renunciation only on n
years notice, and making no proyis-
ION Tor the declaration that 1t is now
void. prior to the expiration of such a
period"
The Vatican looks upon ItaIy's en-
trance into the war as inevitable which
is evidenced by the official announce
ment that the Pope will shortly issue
an encyclical letter defining the atti-
tude of the Holy See regarding the
ltalo-Austrian war and the statement
that Dapal bull will follow. embody-
Ing the new rules for governing the
Vatican's international relations.
The Pope announced that I'm the en-
cyclical letter he would affirm the
Vatican's neutrality.
Despite the pontins aversion to war
he announced that he will place 81
Marks hospital and the converts and
monasteries at the disposition OF the
wounded
Italy was one of the first countries
to enter the competition for the
growth OF naval power. Her national
navy, formed out of the existing
squadrons of Sardinia, Tuscany and
Naples, stood the strain of war I'm
1866, and the condition in which the
unity OF the country had been achiev-
cd during the Franco-P -Prussian war. of
1901, together with the obvious
need OF navy for a nation with a very
extended seacoast animated Italians
to great efforts
Italy succeeded in obtaining individ-
ual vessels Of a high level of strength
and she set the example of building
monster ships. armed with monster
guns. until today she is Justly ranked
among the important sea powers.
The Duke of the Abruzzi. comman-
der-in-chief OF the Italian fleet. has
adopted new system in the compost
ton OF the feet, which is no longer
divided into squadrons. each under the
command OF yice admiral. but united
under one supreme command consist
ing of seven divisions. each under a
rear admiral
The effect OF the entrance OF Italy
into the European war. according to
Washington officials. is that II will
operate in the near future to the great
benefit Of American commerce
Diplomatic and military authorities
think that the italian fleet will imme-
diately replace the French feet I'm the
Adriatic and allow the latter TO pro
coed to join the Anglo-French feet
operating against the DardaneIles.
Diplomats construe Italy's deciara-
ton as being specifically against Aus
tria and not against Germany as a
move to force Germany to declare war
against Italy. BY not declaring war
against Germany Italy is playing the
role OF entering the war not necessar-
ily as an enemy OF Kaiser wilhelm.
The diplomatists in Washington, how
ever, think that this position of Italy
will not be OF much value In the Ger
man minds and that Germany will re-