The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-13
Declares Vital interests Of
Italy Were In No Manner
Threatened
RUSSIA'S DEFENSIl
RAPIDLY STIFFENING
Receipt of Much-Needed Ann
munition Probably Accounts
for Change in Eastern Zone.
Munitions Is General Cry

The Hague, June 12.--Italy's &C.
ton in abandoning the triple alliance
is violently denounced in a Red Book
issued today by the Austro- hungarian
government in reply to Italy's Green
Book on the war. The royal gov
eminent is accused of "atroc!ouz
treachery and breath or faith" and
the demands presented " Italy in ex-
change for her promise of neutrality
are called monstrous. The Austro-
Hungarian government asserts that
the Italian cabinet at no time intend-
ed to give any serious consideration
to the proposals made by the dual
government, proposals which, it says.
were all it could in all fairness be
expected to grant in exchange for
what Italy had promised to observa
when the triple alliance treaty was
signed-a benevolent neutrality.
After justifying the sending Of an
ultimatum to Serbia in July. the Red
Book says:
Attacked by the powers OF the
triple entente, Austria Hungary and
Germany must defend their territories.
but this defensive war has nothing TIC
do with a programme opposed to the
realization of Italys most vital in.
terests, or what we know of them.
were in no manner threatened. II
Italy. however, felt worried in this
respect she ought TO have com planned
to Vienna and Berlin Both un-
|doubtedly were ready and inclined to
safeguard these interests. The royal
government then held the opinion OF
their allies as to these matters. that
they involved no right to invoke treaty
obligations. but she made TO US =
statement justifying her belief that
she considered Austrian-Hungary's ac-s
ton an open breach of the word AMI
spirit of the alliance treaty
Accepted Italy's Views.
The cabinets of Vienna and Bier
lin Loyalty accept Italy's view though
they regretted her decision. which. In
our opinion. was not in accordance
with the spirit of the alliance. The
exchange of opinions which then took
place confirmed the full continuance
of the triple alliance. invoking this ai-
lance. however. particularly with re-
gard to article vii The Royal Cow
eminent made demands for certain
compensations In case Austria
Hungary derived advantages, terri-
torial or otherwise in the Balkan
peninsula from the war. The Im-
perial and Royal Government accept
ed this standpoint, and declared itself
ready to submit the question to dis
cussion, simultaneously asserting the
difficulty of deciding upon compen-
sations as long as 1t was uncertain
what advantages Austria Hungary
would derive from the war. The
Royal Government shared this opin-
ION This fact was evident as we'll
from the statement of the late Mat
outs di San Gfuliano. OF August 25.
1914. saying; 1T is as yet premature
of compensation as from the Duca
d'Avarna's remark. after our retreat
from Serbia, Now there is no reason
for compensations.'
Contradicts Solemn OBLIGATIONS.
The Imperial and Royal Govern
ments cannot accept the Italian
Governments declaration that 1t
wishes full freedom of action In its
intention to consider the treaty with
Austria Hungary null and void, az this
declaration Is plainly In contradiction
of the solemn obligations accepted BY
Italy on December 1912. stipulat-
ing the duration Of the alliance to