New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-03
PREMIER Tells WHY
ITALY ENTERED WAR
Fighting to Protect Most Vital
Interests Of Country
MEYER BETRAYED 7EUT0NS
Claims That Austria When 1t Learned
Italy Opposed Hostilities Against
Serbia Arranged With Germany to
Take Europe by surprise.

ta z q 3 = I : \ i +
Rome, June 2, via Paris, June 8,
$40 a. m.--.'We entered this, the
greatest war in history, to safeguard
the highest and most ancient aspir-
atoms, the most vital interests of our
country was the declaration Of Pre-
mier Salandra in an address at a
meeting held here today to make
plans for the relief of persons in
civil life who, may be made needy
as the result Of the war.
War imposes duties not only upon
the combatants but also upon those
who remain at home continued the
premier. and they must see that the
national life is not interrupted. Ital-
ians of all classes must have con-
victiOn based upon reason of the JUS
tice of our cause and the sanctity
of war
Reviews Diplomatic Events.
Premier ssalandra then reviewed the
diplomatic events leading up to the
conflict from the time of the assassi-
nation Of Archduke Francis Ferdi-
nand. Italy's former allies, he de-.
clared, had no right to say Italy be-
trayed them, for she never disguised
her. views on Austrian aggression
against Serbia. In support of his
argument, he read a despatch sent
to the Duke of Avarna, ambassador
to Austria. on July 25, 1914, by the
Marquis San Giuliano, the late min
lister Of foreign affairs, detailing an
interview he had with Signor Sal
andra and Hans Won Flotow, then
German am bassador to Italy. At this
interview, the speaker declared it was
pointed out to Her Won Flotow that
Austria, under the { triple alliance
treaty, had no right to take the step
she had taken at Belgrade withou
previously coming to an agreement
with her allies, and that Austria's ac-r
ton clearly showed she desired to
provoke war. Under these circum-
stances, the German ambassador was
informed Italy was not obliged to
help Austria if the latter nation found
herself at war with Russia in con-
sequence of an act of aggression.
To Take Europe by Surprise
Preniar Salandra asserted that on
July q and %, 1914, the Italian gov
eminent raised in clear terms both at
Wanna and at Berlin. the question
OF the cession to Italy of the So
called Italian Provinces held by Aus
tria. I'VE declared said he, that
if Italy did not obtain adequate COM
pensation the triple alliance would be
broken. Impartial his
tory will say that Austria, having
found In July and October 1918, that
Italy was hostile to aggressive in
tentions against Serbia, arranged with
Germany to take Europe by surprise
by confronting it with an accom-
plished fact. The horrible crime at
Serajevo was exploited as a prete.St
a month after it occurred. Foreign
Minister Won Berchtold told the
Duke of Avarna on July 81 last that
even If mediation were employed it
would not stop hostilities with Ser
bia.
Count TIsza's Contention False.
1T was not true, as Count Tisza
has pretended, that Austria engaged
herself to respect the integrity of Ser
bian territory. Kajetan Mercy Won
Kapos- Mere, then Austrian mbassa-
dor, told Marquis San Guiliano July
80 that Austria could not give such
an engagement because she could not
foresee that, during the war, she
would not be forced against her will
to- retain Serbian territory. In adj
dition, Count Won Berchtold declared
to the Duke Of Avarna on August
% last that he was not disposed to
give any undertaking relative to the
eventual action of Austria in case of
a conflict with Serbia