Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-05-27
Italy Declares War.
Eleven Nations Now Engaged
In Bloody Strife.

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of the nations of Europe to enter the
struggle for supremacy. Ever since
the beginning of hostilities in Europe
it has been a question as to just how
soon she would join one side or the
other, and at last King Victor Eman-
uel signed the decree to fight, siding
with England, France, etc. The rea-
son for entering the war is given in
the following:
Zone great purpose of Italy in en-
tering the war is to gain possession
of "Unredeemed Italy," a sweep Of
Austrian territory to the north and
east near the head of the Adriatic
Sea, This region, which includes
Trent and Trieste, is Italian IL all
but nationality. To attain it has
long been her cherished ambition.
''The territory in dispute may be
defined roughly as the sections OF
Austria south Of a line drawn in the
Rhaetan Alps, where Italy, Austria
and Switzerland meet, eastward to
the Carnic Alps, and thence south
ward along to the Italian Alps and
again eastward SO rs to include Fiume.
The first part OF this territory forms
n wedge penetrating Italy between
Lombardy and Venitia, and cutting
Lake Garda, while the second por-
ton includes the peninsula of lstria
and runs northward to the Julian
Alps, between the Tagliamento and
Save rivers. This territory is called
Italia Irredenta" (unredeemed
Italy,, because it once formed part
of the Italian states of the Middle
Ages, and because the majority of
the people are of Italian stock. For
the same reason the Dalmatian Islands
are considered to be part of Italia
lrredenta.
''The district of the city of Trent,
known in Italy as the Trentino, once
formed part Of the Roman colony of
Tridentini, which in 1927 passed I'M
der the rule of bishop and then,
after various changes, came into pos
session of Austria, together with Lom-
hardy and Venitia. After the defeat
of Austria, in 1859, by Piedmont
and France, and even after Piedmont
had taken over Lombardy and the
kingdom of Italy had been formed in
1861, Austria continued to hold
Venitia until her. defeat in the Austro-
German War of 1866 gave it to Italy
There was left in possession of Aus
tria, however, the wedge of the Trent
district, as menace to Italy.
The territory to the eastward
which Italy desires is made up prin-
cipally of Istria. In early days a
part of the Republic of Venice, it
passed to Austria, together with Dali
malta, with the abolition of the re-.
public in 1897. In 1905 Austria
was compelled by Napoleon to cede
Istria to France, but in 1913 Austria
seized it and has held it since that
time.
Aside from the Dalmatian Islands
the territory sought by Italy includes
about 5000 square miles, with more
than 100000 inhabitants.
The first-line army now numbers
more than 100000 men. The
second line, composed of men be-
tween 80 and 40, forming the terri
torial army, amounts to about l, $780,
600 men. There also are about L.
100000 men trained, but exempt
from military service, who in case of
urgent necessity could be called to
arms. Volunteer corps likewise could
be formed, so that Italy's total war
strength, including resources of all
kinds, is figured at about 1000, 900
men.
In eight months she has spent
$4OO,OOO,000 in military prepar-
tons. Profting by the lessons of
the war to date, particular attention
was paid to artillery.
Italy has a powerful fleet of mod
ern warships. In addition to the
five dreadnaughts, commanded by
the Duke OF the Abruzzl, cousin OF
King Victor Emmanuel, who is the
chief naval officer of Italy, there are
eight battleships of the pre-dread-
naught type, nine arnored cruisers,
ID protected cruisers and the usual
complement of destroyers and torpedo
coats. She also has 25 submarines.
Italy's population (19l3) is given
Is 35, 238,OO