Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-26

days Of December to March. and it was
not until the end Of March that Baron
Burian offered a zone Of territory COM
prised within a line extending from the
existing boundary Of Italy to q point JUS,
north of the city of Trent. In exchange
for this proposed cession the Austro-
Hungarian government demanded a nun.
Der Of pledges. including among them an
assurance of entire liberty of action in
the Balkans
itaiy's Sotuation
THE attitude assumed by Austro-Hun-
gary from the beginning Of December IN
til the end Of April made it evident that
she was attempting to temporize without
coming to a conclusion. Under such cir.
cumstances italy was confronted by the
danger of losing forever the opportunit,
Of realizing her aspirations based upor
tradition, nationality. and her desire fol
safe position in the Adriatic. while 9TH
er contingencies in the European conflic,
menaeed her principal interests in othe,
seas. Hence Italy faced the necessity
and duty of recovering that liberty Of
action to which she was entitled and OF
seeking protection for her interests apart
from the negotiations which had beer
dragging uselessly along for FIVE months
and without reference to the treaty OF
alliance which had virtually failed as a
result Of its annulment by the action OF
Austro-Hungary in July. 1914.
1T would not be out OF place to OBJ
serve that the alliance having termi J..
mated and there existing no longer any
reason for the Italian people to be
bound by il, though they had Loyalty
stood by it for so many years because
Of their desire for peace, there natur-
ally revived in the public mind the
grievances against Austro- Hungary
which for So many years has been VOL
UNFAIRLY repressed.
While the treaty Of alliance con
tanned no formal agreement for the
use Of the Italian language or the
maintenance of Italian tradition and
Italian civilization in the Italian prov
inces of Austria, nevertheless if the al
lance was to be effective in preserv-
ing peace and harmony. it was indis-
putably clear that Austria Hungary,
as our ally. should have taken into ac-
count the moral obligation of respect
ing what constituted some of the most
vital interests Of Italy.
Instead, the constant policy of the
Austro- Hungarian government was 20
destroy Italian nationality and Italian
civilization all along the coast of the
Adriatic
Made Public This Morning
The British public will not know the
composition of the new cabinet until
they read the newspapers tonlrrow
The announcement was
given to the press tonight with the
stipulation that it should not be made
public until the morning papers were
issued. The cabinet is composed of II
Liberals. eight Conservatives. one La
torite, Arthur Henderson and one non
partisan, Earl Kitchener. Thirteen
members of the old cabinet remain IN
Office. OF these Mr.. Asquith. Sir Ed
ward Grey, Earl Kitchener. Mr.. Runci-
man. Mr. Birrelie and Mr.. Wood re-
tain their old portfolios.
The promotion of Sir Stanley Buck
master whose greatest activities dur
ing the war have had to do with the
of the Official press bu-
reau. to the high honor of Lord Chan
cellor, and the acceptance by Winston
Spencer Churchill. formerly head Of
the admiralty. of the merely normal
duties of the Duchy of Lancaster are
two distinct surprises.
The mos prorinen. figure who re-
tires from public life is viscount Hal
dane. His affiliations with Germany
and the continued newspapers attacks
based on these made his retirement
inevitable as Prince Henry Of Bat
tenburg's retirement some time ago
from the admiralty for the same rea-
son. Eiscount Haldane received an
expression of the governments con-
fdence by the pestowal of the Order
of Merit on him.
Retention Of Kitchener
The retention Of Lord Kitchener as
head of the army. while David Lloyd
George, with the newly created port
folio of the ministry of munitions re-
lieves him of the responsibility of
the supply department and
also A. j. Balfours acceptance of the
post were fully expected.
The Marquis of Lansdown becomes
a member of the cabinet without du-
ties, except participating in its coun-
ellis and Mr.. Churchills position is
the same. His willingness
to accept a subordinate position is
likely to make him popular with the
and aid his future political
career.
Mr.. Lloyd George and Mr.. Hender-
son will be especially charged with
tire task Of the working men to the
governments support. and much is
expected Of the former chancellor in
the country's industries.
The cabinet undoubtedly includes
the strongest men in public life;
they will prove correspond
ingly strong as q working body is
question. the answer to which the
country will anxiously await.