The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-05-28
WAR DECLARATION AGAINST
AUSTRIA CREATES SENSA-
TON AMONG OFFICIALS.
VARIETY OF SPECULATION
Proclamation Of Neutrality Being Pre-
pared Will be Issued by Wilson
Business Interests Ready
Fer Cutting Of Comnu-
nicaticns.

Washington, May 23.-Italys dec
laratiOn CT war on Austria created a
sensation in official and diplomatic
quarters here, for while the announce
Ment was not unexpected, the addition
Of another powerful nation to the num-
Der of ~belligerents in Europe brought
out a variety of speculation On the
military effect of the new operations
on the conflict as a whole. and the
possible attitude OF Roumania, Bul-
garia and Greece.
Up to a late hour the Italian and
Austrian embassies here. as We'll as
the state department, were without
official notification of the declaration
Of wal by Italy, but officials began the
preparation OF a neutrality prCclama-
tion which Will be issued by President
Wilson probably at once, when AM
bassador Thomas Nelson Page advises
the American government Of ltalys ac-
ton. The opening Of hostilities be-
tween Austria ana italy had 50 long
been forecast that American business
interests had made preparations for
the severance OF communication.
Y. S. Diplomats in Charge.
The United States government. in
accordance with requests received
nearly q month ago, Will now take over
the custody of Italian diplomatic and
consular interests in Austria, and Aus
t-ian interests in Italy.
It is taken for granted in diplomatic
quarters here that, as a result Of the
declaration Of war against Austria.
Germany and Turkey, as the allies of
that country, will announce a state of
war with Italy. One of the subjects
on which information is awaited with
much interest, is whether Italy will
subscribe to the Order in Council. max
ing impossible all commercial, inter
course with Germany and Austria
through the Mediterranean and wheth.
er the same rigid rules as to contra.
band will be enforced by the Italian
feet as by the Anglo-French fleet.
The cutting of to Ger
many and Austria through the Medi
~terranean, it is thought in allied quar-.
tiers here, will soCn seriously be felt
by the central powers and may ever
compel a conclusion of peace earlier
than might otherwise have been the
case, The entrance of ~Roumania, shut
ting off a wheat supply from south
eastern Europe, would be another I'M
portant factor. There long has been
understanding between Italy and Rou-
mania, according to official ihforma-
ton here. to enter the wal at approXi-
mately the same time, but whether
Bulgaria will permit that country to
enter the conflict is still a matter OF
conjecture here. in spite OF the recent
assurances given Roumania that she
would no be attacked. Such informa-
ton as was received here several
weeks ago from reliable quarters in
dictated that Bulgaria would side with
Turkey as against Roumania if the
latter country entered the war, but
otherwise would remain neutral. The
Grecian ministry is understood to be
ready to assist the allies, though King
Constantine personally is said to be
pledged to maintain neutrality. In
view Of the kings critical illness. the
belief has prevailed that Roumania's
entrance would be followed by that of
Greece, counterbalancing any attack
Bulgaria might attempt on Roumania.