The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-05-25
ITALY FINALLY TAKES
PLUNGE INTO WAR
Formal Declaration Was Made
Sunday.
MOBILIZATION is ORDERED
Waited to Last Moment in Hope That
Some Way Might be Found to
Avert a Clash at Arms.

some way Might ne FOunO 10
Avert Clash at Arms.
Rome, via Paris, May 23.-Italy is
at war with Austria-Hungary.
With the issuance of the general
mobilization order the Italian gov
ernment issued a proclamation de-
claring war on Austria, which Off
cially will begin tomorrow.
Prior to this, and after q lengthy
consultation, the ministers Of war
and marine proclaimed all the prov
inces bordering on Austria and the
islands and coast towns of the Adri-
attic in state of war which was
equivalent to the establishment of
martial law, the step usually preced-
ing the formal declaration.
Although drastic action has been
looked for momentarily, Italians of
all classes have been electrified by
the swiftly moving events. Early
this morning great crowds gathered
around the Quirinal to await the
ministers, who called on the King
question and signing the decree.
When Premier Salandra and Signor
Sonnino, the foreign minister, left
the palace the people cheered them
enthusiastically. General Zuppili,
minister OF war, and Vice Admiral
Viale, minister of marine, remained
with the King for a considerable
time after the others left and later
they had a conference with Lieuten-
ant General Cadorna, chief Of staff,
and Vice Admiral Phaon di Revel,
chief of the naval stan.
The German ambassador, Prince
vonBuelow. and the Austrian ambas-
sador, Baron Won Macchio, are still
in Rome so far as is known. They
have waited to the last moment IN
the hope that some way might be
found to prevent clash at arms.
They will be given safe conduct
when they do leave and so far as
German and Austrian residents in
Italy are concerned, every effort has
been made to see them safely out Of
the country.
On the other hand, most alarming
reportso have been received from
Italian border towns that Italian
residents in the Austrian Tyrol are
experiencing great difficulty in re-
turning to Italy and in many cases
have been placed under arrest.
According to The Giornale d'Italia,
the problem confronting the diplo-
mats accredited to the Vatican has
been solved satisfactorily. Austrian
and German diplomats ignoring the
situation in Italy will depart, as il
they were merely taking their sum-
mer vacations before the regular
time. 1t had been urged by some
that the Italian government move
energetically with respect to these
diplomatic representatives and by
others that the Vatican resist any
EFFORT to force them to withdraw.
But these exertme measures failed,
and thus the law remains untouched.
From Germany come reports that
considerable sentiment Is felt in Off
cial quarters there against what is
alleged to be the obstinancy of the
Austrian diplomacy responsible for
the failure of the negotiations with
Italy initiated by Prince Won Buelow.
the German ambassador. The sus-
gestion had even been made that
Austria should be left alone to fight
Italy, but pledges taken by the Ger
man general stan and by the Ger
man Emperor personally with EN-
peror Francis Joseph resulted in the
triumph of those advocating Austro-
German solidarity even in new war
against Italy.
About 100000 Bavarians and Hun
garians already have been concen-
trated against Italy, Austria ensuring
them commissariate service.
Although Field Marshal Won Con.
ia dvon Hoetzendorf, chief of star
OF the Austian army, had prepared
for many years for a possible out
break OF war between Austria and
Italy the belief Is held here that the
campaign will he conducted by the
German general staff, which will. IL
fs said, plan strong offensive move
ment against Italy in the hope of