The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-10-26
PART OF SECRET
TRIPLE AL j LANCE
GIVEN TO PUBLIC

evidence In relation to the assassina-
ton Of the Austrian Grown Prince
Francis Ferdinand, .'as we'll as the
constant subversive Serbian agtta-
tons carried on for many years past,
are likely TO compel US to assume q
serious attitude in Belgrade. He
said that Italy should be informed
that should peaceful means fail, the
Vienna cabinet would not think Of
inaugurating a war Of conquest or of
acquiring any Serbian territory"
The Austrian ambassador tele-I
graphed to Count Won Berchtold on
July 90 that the Italian position con-
corning territorial compensation fully
confirmed his impression that Italy
does not even shrink from attempts
at blackmafl."
Justification Alleged.
Austria informed Italy on Aug. q
that the "unjustified Russian mobili-
cation against us and Germany" COM
stituted ample justification for apply
ing the terms of the alliance. Italy
In reply pointed out the perils and the
sacrifices to which war might expose
her and added: This enormous diff
ference between the perils and sacrt-
fees on the one hand and the adj
vantage on the other is, in fact, the
very reason why ria-Hungary de-
sired war which she could easily
have avoided, whereas we did all in
our power to save, Europe from this
fearful misfortune"
On August 10. Count Won Berch-
told telegraphed that Austria had I'm
tended to localize the conflict with
Serbia and that Germany had support
ed her in that effort, adding, I'VE
had, 1t is true, received the assurance
from Germany that she would stand
by our side II Russian should inter-
yene. Our action against Serbia how
ever, was not aimed at provoking
Russia"
Relations between Austria and
Italy became steadily more strained.
Austria at length agreed to accept the
principle Of cession OF some Of her
own territory to Italy. A serious
hitch occurred Ger Italy's insistance
on immediate cession of such terri
to ry. Baron Won Burian's final effort
to prevent the impending rupture is
recorded in this telegram to Baron
con Machio. dated May 90: I'm or
der to save our respective countries
from a senseles swar. authorize you
to make a final effort in con rormity
with the entirety Of our last proposal
If We met Italy still further in the
question of putting the cessions into
effect, without, however, conceding
immediate military occupation" italy
responded. according to Baron con
Macchto, that 1t was too late' an da
few hours later declared war on Aus.
tria.
Austria's Last Offer.
The main points of Austria's last
offer were: Austria offered the parts
Of the Southern Tyrol inhabited chief
lily by Italians and certain territories
on the west bank of the Isonzo, desig-
nation of Triest as free city; Austria
to recognize Italy's Unrestricted SOW
ereignty over Avlona and the sur
rounding sphere; Austria to pro-
claim her political disinterestedness
In the future fate of Albania within
the boundaries drown by the London
conference; Italy to maintain absolute
neutrality; Italy to indemnify Aus
tria for claim arising from cession of
territory by the payment Of lump
sum; Germany to guarantee execu-
ton Of the agreement.
The provisvion concerning Avlona
was inserted with reference to Italy's
previous occupation of that Albanian
port, a step which was taken notwith-
standing Austria's opposition to indie
pendent action in that territory by
Italy. The Austrian diplomatic rep
resentative at Avlona in his repor,
to his government intimated that the
disorders at Avlona which were Civ
en- as a reason for the Italian occu-
patton had been brought on under pc
culiar circumstances. He said few
shots were fired In the streeas by
five individuals of no particular i'm
portance." without hitting anyone and
that some Of the disturbers Of the
peace. on being pursued by the police,
fled to the Italian consulate. Several
Italians, with their port-manteaux
packed, repaired to the consulate.
where, according to his neighbors.
the consul had been waiting events
for some time. despite the early
hour"