South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-17

would and will convince every UNI
prejudiced Italian that his couutry's
honor and interests forbade and for
BID an accord with Asstria.
For thus deliberately thwarting
the work Undertaken by the cabinet in
the name and In behalf OF the king
and the nation, Signor Giolittis re-
sponsibility is tremendous.
says GioIitt Knew Facts.
Here I put the following question.
Possibly Giolitti was misinformed
about Austria s OFFERS and in any case
he could hardly have been aware of
any engagements assumed By Italy
which stand in me way of further ne
gotlation. Is not that ground that
may be pleaded by his friends in eX-
tenuation of what would Otk-rwise
wear the anrea rance of am act of un-
friendliEess 10 his own country"
This was the answer:
"GiOlitti was well aware of all de-
cisive data when taking up his atti-
tude Of opposition II the cabinet and
the data We're these. Italy's CONVEX
satiOns with Austria gnd Germany
date, not as the public sCpposes. from
Prince Won BuelOW'S arrival in Rome,
but almost from the outbreak of the
European war. Consequently there
was ample time for those empires TO
let us know what compensation they
were disposed TO make. But Austria
was indispOseG to make any conces-
sions and she persisted in that mood,
hardly modifying Ii 10 any note
worthy extent. down TO the very end.
And even when she at last braced
herself TO effect terms she pronered
not merely inadequate, but derisive
terms.
The impression left by this stub
bOrnness on the Italian cabinet was
profound After it had waited long
and patiently for signs OF more bus
lness-like disposition, and waited TN
vain. the ministers began 10 consider
the eventuality of war against Austria
and put spirit energy and speed into
the preparation, military and naval
Measures Adopted i'm Open.
The significance of these measures
which were we'll known in Berlin and
Vienna was interpreted by everybody
Alright, for they were adopted openly
without mystery or attempt at con-
cealment.
Then it was the governments of
the two empires might have weighed
anew the considerations which mill
tated in favor of an acceptable settle
ment of the differences that separated
them from Italy, but our military and
naval preparations had no such effect.
Austria disbelieved their seriousness
and set them down as bluff.
she still persisted in refusal to
make us any acceptable offer or even
anything approaching a reasonable
basis of fruitful negotiations. yet our
national defenses were nearly com
pleted.
This deadlock continued TO the
end Of April For the Italian govern
ment this date appeared the latest
moment for bringing the converse
tons TO a definite issue in one sense
or another and Baron SOnnino, exert
ing himself TO the utmost, urged the
Vienna cabinet to come at last TO the
point and clearly set forth the most
favorable terms ii was prepared 10
offer us.
Final Question Emphatic.
THAT was the final question put by
Sonnino, with due emphasis, and
turning upon demands the most mod
crate that could possibly satisfy the
aspiration of a country which was
willing TO settle old scores. 1t ELECTED
no favorable response. Austria was
inexorable She had uttered the last
word. had promised the utmost she
was prepared 10 cOncede and declared
in unmistakable terms her resolve TO
abide by them and go no further
Then only did we proceed to take
the significant step of denOuncing the
triple alliance. This act put an end
to the close relations which so long
had subsisted between italy and the
central empire.
1t was only after these two i'm
portant elements had entered into the
problem. namely Austria's definite re-
fusaI TO make any acceptable cOnces-
sions and our denunciatiOn of the
triple alliance that the cabinet push
ed forward our conversations with the
entente powers with view to guard
against the isolation of Italy.
Denies Double Dealing.
There is no truth in the allega-
ton that Italy negotiated with both
groups Of bellgerents at the same
time So long as our ministers were
in treaty with Austria they were per-
fectly free To come to an agreement
with her if she was prepared to meet
them on the ground on which Italys
lust claims and national dignity would
be safeguaTded. 1t was only when all
hope of this consultation was blasted
by Austria after many months of dis
cussion that the cabinet turned TO the
allied powers with the view of strik-
ing an agreement with them.
cit was owning to these negotiations.
to the obligations they imposed and
the situation they created that neither
his majesty nor his ministers repair