New Britain herald., 1915-05-20
WHY ITALY DENOUNCED
 TREATY OF ALLIANCE
Green Book Issued b) Government
 Gives Reason for Action.

way of Paris, May 20, 10:45 a. m.--
 closes each successive step in the me- gotiations which resulted in Italy's de-
 nunciation of her treaty of alliance
 with Austria and Germany are con- | talned in the Green Book issued by
 the Italian government. The history 1 of diplomatic interchanges begins
 with telegram sent by Foreign Min :! ister Sonnino to the Duke of Avarna. l Italian amba ssador at Vienna, on De-
 cember 9,1914, instructing him to not l ify Count Won Berchtold, then Aus l trian foreign minister that the Aus l trian advance in Serbia constituted | fact covered in article seven of the
 Triple Alliance treaty entitling Italy to compensations. Count Won Berch- told replied that his opinion did not agree with this view, but on December
 20 intimated that he had begun to
 change his mind.
 Baron Burian, who succeeded Count
 Von Berchtold, tried to evade any
 definite expression of the opinion
 Duke of Avarna, on February 22 tel
 egraphed that Austria evidently wae trying to gain time, but that she un- doubtedly was being pressed by Ger
 many.
 To Discuss Compensations.
 On March 9 Austria consented to discuss compensations. Foreign Min ister Sonnino laid down the cardinal points of the Italian demands. Baron Burian aswered that Austria would not accept them. Prince Won Beulow, the German ambassador in Rome, on March 20 in the name of Germany guaranteed the execution, after the conclusion of peace, of any agreement made by Austria. Signor Sonnino agreed to resume negotiations on the conditions that Vienna would make concrete proposals.
 Seven days later Baron Burian asked Italy to give formal agreement to the following clauses: First, the maintenance of benevo- lent, political and economic neutrality throughout the war.
 Second, Austria to have free hand in the Balkans.
 Third, the renunciation on the part l of Italy of any further compensation, and fourth, the maintenance of the existing Italo-Austrian accord con- corning Albania. as.
 .-&5E AUSCrId OIcf0u CONCESSIONS.
 On April 2, Baron Burian added that in exchange for these pledges Austria would give to Italy the dis tricts of Roveredo, Riva and Trentino, as we'll as few villages.
 Signor Sonnino replied that he com sidered these demands contemptible; nevertheless. they were permitted to stand. Te 4fstlsss sss'e-17ee---ssTs Tss-'., .f
 Rome Asked Definite Answer. H Rumors of a separate Austro-Rus- sian peace persisting, Rome asked Vienna for a definite answer. In re- ply Vienna added a small zone in the Province of Trent to the Italian conn On April 25 the duke of Avarna reported that the Austrian government did not believe Italy would make war. and that consequent ly Vienna regarded continuance of the discussions as useless.
 On the receipt of this report, Senor Sonnino, considering any accord inn possible. denounced the alliance with Austria Hungary. He said that last summer Austria Hungary without reaching any agreement with Italy without giving Italy any, notice what ever-even disdaining the advice of | had sent to Serbia on July 23 an ulti- matum which was the cause of the present confiagration. Thus Austria Hungary had disturbed the, status quo in the Balkans, creating a situation which was of advantage to herself alone. Such course of violence made benevolent neutrality impossible for the reason that Austria Hungary was fighting to attain an object diametric- ally opposed to the vital interests of Italy, her ally.
 Alliance Denounced May 4.
 Nevertheless, for a period of sev- | eral months Italy endeavored to bring about a situation favorable to the re- establishment of friendly relations be- tween the two countries but these negotiations brought no practical re- suits. Consequently the alliance was denounced by the duke of Avar11a on May A. The duke on this occasion | said Italy was confident of her rights and he affirmed to the Austro-H Hun garian government That from this moment Italy resumes entire liberty | of action, declaring that her treaty | with Austria Hungary is hereby an- nulled and without effect.'' - BLOWN UP BY MINE. M