Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-20

cases. attention temporarily directed to the situation IN
southern Europe Italy must have long been puzzle for the
belgerents it has been for the onooking world One
day the public led by popular uprngs favor OF war to
Italy is the verge of hosties The next
day. the Italian newspapers declare the country must be pre-
pared to fight unless Austria grants the territorial conces
sons demanded by the government at Rome. Ministries
rise and fall and soldiers and amid the turmoil but
still actual peace continues
We have believed all along and still believe that the
Italians are playing shrewd of shuecock and every
time they make hit Germany urges concessions on
Austria while the allies indirectly constrained to raise
their bid. The latest Austrian concessions included the
province of Trente the ancient Trentno eastern Fru with
Gorilla and Gradska and of the Damaan islands on
the east side of the Adriatc opposite Italy.
These concessions did not meet the demands Of the al
ian populace however, and former Premier oltt who has
leaned toward neutrality to marked degree, de-
nounced bitterly The Tbuna the newspaper of the
expremer pronounced untrue the reported withdrawal Of
Italy from the triple alliance but Gabrielle dAnunzio pub
cy declared his honor that Italy had denounced the
triple alliance May 4.
The King and Parliament temporizng but Pre-
mer Saanda has managed create the impression that he
is with the Italian people in their demand for the realization
of Italian aspirations The premiers resignation has still
further complicated the situation Indeed the present crisis
is regarded the most serious the nation has confronted
since the began For illustration when the people in
Milan learned that the Saandra cabinet insisted resign
ng $4,000 and said to have congregated and
shouted down with the Parliamentary Camorra! Death
to Emperor Wiliam!" death to Goltt!" "iurrah for
the war!"
1t also stated that when King Victor Emmanuel left
the royal palace he recognized and hsed while the
popuace assembled shouted: Down with the monarchy
Long live the repubc.'
The utterances of the mobs thus afford readers
better idea of the attitude of the Italian people thus repre-
sened and of existing conditions than would columns of
description 1t should not be assumed however, that the
Italians unanimous in the directions indicated On the
contrary might be expected large faction is opposed to
backing the King and Parliament who inclined
strive for neutrality.
These popular uprisings and demonstrations may help
the government to play its with the belgerents If
Austria and Germany doubt the force Of public sentiment be-
hind the Italian demands the government at Rome has sim
ply to point to the bitter denuncatons of the assembled
popuace and clashes on the Austrian frontier.
In the meantime the troops and police reported
having difficulty in restraining the mobs from attacking the
German and Austrian embassies Indeed doubt expressed
whether tranquility be restored until is declared
The Italian newspapers expressing Indignation because
Got provoked the crisis and the belief is expressed that
it would be unsafe for him to try to form ministry
coed that of SalanCra
If the Italian mobs in earnest, Italy would to
be facing the alternative of and revolution like that in
Portugal If the Italian popuace is being used shrewdly
to help play diplomatic game to what it might not
be able to through actual then the tempest
be lulled when the masters Of the populace will it.
Let assume that will be declared between Italy
and the central powers and glance for moment at the
dtons likely to prevail 1t has been declared that Italy
would first strike Turkey with the idea making good her
claim to Turkish territory the eastern shore of the Adr
attic. Her fleet which modern and formidable would thus
be able to operate to good advantage against Turkish ports
without serious danger itself After Italy had establish
ed itself in Albania and elsewhere in that region could
turn it's attention elsewhere
Germany and Austria would not be idle in the meantime
Emperor William of Germany is said to hate the Italians
above the English for readily apparent those
familiar with Itay deserton of the other members of
the triple alliance Germany has played twofod game in
sending her former chancellor to Rome to negotiate with the
Italian government to remain neutral If Prince Bueow
succeeded he seriously weakened the of the allies If
he failed he yet succeeded in gaining time for Germany
Austria to work their plans to possible Italian
slaught.
Arguing from the previous of the Germans in
instance it is safe that the Kaiser would seek
to strike Italy first in the event of hOstes and make the
enemy bear the brunt of the devastation Of The
vantages of such blow obvious.
But Switzerland stands between Germany and Italy and
offers far inviting route for invading army than
the Tyroese Alps The Austrans have already assembled
large forces in their territory but the Germans would
have to get in behind the Alps before striking Italy.
This situation leads to consider the prediction that if
Italy joins the allies, Germany will Switzerland to
at Italy just she crossed Belgium to reach France.
glance the map will show that if Germany wins she will
need strip Switzerland to enable her establish an open
port for her territory the Mediterranean whether she
strikes for the Adatc takes slice of Italy the
to enable her to reach the Gulf of Genoa.