Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-26
ITALY TELLS WHY
SHE TOOK Up ARMS
Addresses Note to Neutral Ma
tons, Explaining Troubles
With Austria.
DRIVEN TO FINAL RESORT
In No Other Way Could Nation
Safeguard Interests From
Hostile Ally.


addressed 10 the neutral governments
of the world lengthy communication
explaining her reasons for declaring
war on Austria. Count di Cellcre the
Italian ambassador, presented the docu-
men, TO Secretary Bryan to-day in the
form Of a note 10 the United states
government.
1t reviews negotiations between Italv
and Austria, revealing that they began
Immediately upon the dispatch of Aus
tria's ultimatum 10 Serbia Italy
claimed then that the action Of Aus
tria disturbed the equilibrium of the
Balkans and the peace of E.uropc in a
way that vitally affected Italian in
terests. As an ally OF Austria, Italy
asserts the right TO have been con-
suited before the sending Of the ulti :
matum, The FIRST news of which was
received through the newspapers
WAR PROVES ONLY MEANS
OF SAFEGUARDING POSITION
Failing 10 Obtain through diplomacy
the satisfaction of her territorial and
national aspirations. Italy announces
in the note that a declaration Of war
was the only means OF safeguarding her
position In Europe
The document takes its place in state
Department archives along with the
other notes and messages received at
me outbreak of tho war from the for
eisn offices OF Europe explaining the
positions of the respective governments
and their reasons for action None of
these has been published. although the
European governments have covered
substantially ihe sam. /. Ound in the
various pamphlets detailing the diplo-
matic negotiations prior 10 the declara-
tions of war.
The text Of the note, as translate
and issued by the italian embas ssy.
says:
The triple alliance was essentially
defensive, and designed solely TO pre-
serve the status quo. or in other words.
the equilibrium in Europe
TREATY FOR MANY YEARS
OF BENEFIT TO EUROPE
The treaty, AS long as its intents
and purposes had been Loyalty inter
preted and regarded, and as long as il
had not been used as 4 prctext for
aggression against others, greatly con-
tributed 10 the elimination and settle
ment of causes of conflict. md for many
years assured to Europe THE inestima-
bic benefits of peace. But Austria
Hungary severed the treaty bv her
own hands. She rejected the response
OF Serbia, which gave 10 her all the
satisfaction she could lcCitimatelv
claim She refused 10 listen To the
conciliatory proposals presented bv
Italy. in conjunction with other powers
In the effort TO spare Europe from a
vast conflict certain to drench the Con-
tinent with blood and to reduce IL TO
ruin beyond the conception OF human
masination. and finally she provoked
that conflict
Article Of the treaty embodied the
usual and necessary obligation of such
pacts-the pledge 10 exchange views
upon any practical and economic ques-
tiohs OF general nature that might
arise
This article was violated by Austria
Hungary when she sent 10 Serbia her
without the previous assent Of Italy.
Thus Austria Hungary violated be-
yond doubt one OF the fundamental pro-
visions OF the treaty
COURSE TOWARD SERBIA
DIRECT ENCROACHMENT
"As far back as the beginning Of
July, 1914, the Italian government, pre-
occupied by the prevailing feeling In
Vienna, caused to be laid before the
Austro-Hungarian government a num-
Der Of suggestions advising moderation
and warning of impending danger of
an European outbreak. The course
adopted by Austria Hungary against
Serbia constituted. moreover, n direct
encroachment upon the general inter-
ests of Italy. both political and eco
nomical, in the Balkan Peninsula
On number of occasions, there
fore. Italy gave Austria 10 understand
IN friendly, hut clear, terms that the
independence of Serbia was considered
by Italy as essential to Balkan equili-
brium. Austria Hungary was further
advised that Italy could never permit
that equilibrium to be disturbed to her
prejudice.
THE Italian government had obtained
trustworthy Information that the com
plcte program laid down by Austria
Hungary with reference to the Balkans
was prompted by desire to decrease
1taly's economical and political innu-
ence in that section and tended directly
and indirectly to the subservience Of
Serbia to Austria Hungary, the poIiti-
cal and territorial isolation OF Monte
negro, and the isolation and political
decadcnce of Roumania
ATTEMPTED DIMINUTIoN
OF lTALY'S INFLUENCE
This attempted diminution of the
influence OF Italy in the Balkans would
have been brought about by the Austro-
Hungarian program even though Aus
tria- Hungary had no intention of MAX
ing further territorial acquisitions
Article of the treaty OF the triple
alliance recognized the right OF COM
pensatiOn to the other contracting
parties in case one should occupy tenn
porarily or permanently any section OF
the Balkans.
ITO this end the Italian government