Evening star., 1915-05-21
FEELING IS TENSE
ON|TA[Y'S COURSE
Official Circles Here Reflect
Contrasting Views on
War Sequences.

Tense expectancy regarding the pros
pect of Italy plunging into the whirl-
pool of war in Europe prevailed in Of
fetal circles in Washington today,
which was reflected in general conver-
sation. Fears for the debacle of civil
ization that will result from this latest
prospective entrant into the battle roy
al of the nations were contrasted with
the hope that the weight of Italy's mill
tary strength might break the balance
of the war scales as it exists now and
that the great European conflict might
be the sooner ended.
Some official dispatches from Rome
indicated that an actual declaration of
war may be expected from Italy with
in week.
New Complications Foreshadowed.
The collapse Of the triple alliance,
now officially confirmed in the Italian
Green Book. and the prospective spread
of the war to new battlefelds and seas.
it was everywhere recognized. fore
shadows further confusion and entan-
clements of the international relations
effect on the map of the world and the
alliances and ententes Of the future are
less calculable than ever before
Only in the possible effect in Berlin
on the tenor of the German answer to
the recent American note was there a
direct interest for the United States in
the Austro-Italian developments Some
officials believed the value of the pub
lie opinion of the most powerful neu-
trail remaining would be an important
influence toward a most friendly reply,
while others thought the cutting off
of supplies through the Mediterranean
would cause the German admiralty to
permit little restriction in the activi-
ties of submarines.
In executive quarters the most scru-
pulous silence was maintained toward
the situation as between Austria and
Italy, the friendship of the United
States toward both countries being long
established.
The certain exodus from the dimin-
ishing family of neutrals of powerful
nation. with the possibility that as a
consequence of expected territorial ad-
justments in the Balkans. Rumania,
Bulgaria and Greece might be drawn
into the conflict, overshadowed all else
in the war situation.
Italy's Action Not Unexpected.
Italy's action was not unexpected in
high official quarters. The United
States has been kept closely informed
of developments as the parleys at Wen
ma and Rome have progressed. AS early
as three weeks ago such advices as
were received telling of the denuncia-
ton of articles in the triple alliance
predicted the failure Of the negotia-
tions and the certain entry of Italy
into the war.
From Official sources 1t also was
learned that Italy's aspirations politi-
cally and territorially found a more
generous response in the plans which
the allies in the event of victory have
laid for a reconstruction of the map
of Europe than were granted in pro-
posed Austrian concessions requiring
Italy to remain neutral
Italy is said to have believed her op-
portunity to establish herself in AL
bania and Trieste. thus giving her con-
troll of the Adriatic. could be more sure
ly accomplished through cooperation
with the allies rather than with the
Austro-German cause.
For several weeks official information
reaching here has given the impression
in high executive quarters that Ru-
mania would follow Italy's lead and
that some alliance or agreement to
that effect has long existed. In Aus
tro-German quarters. however. belief
prevails that Bulgaria. equipped with
German war loan and aspiring to
seize the first opportunity to regain
the territory lost by the Bucharest
treaty, would either hold the army OF
Rumania in check or compel that coun-
try to maintain the status quo of neu-
trality.
Developments in Greece Awaited.
Developments in Greece. It 10 thought
in many quarters. may still further
complicate the situation in the Balkans,
for in the event of the death of King
Constantin, now gravely i'll, some
diplomatists think Greece would Join
the allies. What effect this would
have on the attitude OF Bulgaria or
Rumania they say can hardly be pre-
dicted with any reasonable certainty.
1t is not believed that the situation In
Rumania or Bulgaria will be clarified
for some time after Italys operations
have begun.
In the midst OF these critical events
in southern Europe the position of the
United States Is that Of an onlooker.
Both Austria and Italy have asked the
american embassies in Rome and
Vienna, respectively, to care for their
diplomatic interests A proclamation
OF neutrality similar to those made by
the United States early in the war will
be issued in the natural course. Ameri-
can shippers will be confronted with a
new contraband list. Italian vessels
sailing from American ports will be
scrutinized by collectors of the ports
no longer as neutral, but now as belli-
gerent ships
From a military point of view, the
trend OF events has aroused widespread
interest among army and navy Of
ficers Some professed belief that for
the present Austria had massed a large
enough number of men to meet the
| first line of Italian troops and to de-
| lay important operations for some time
| Naval officers thought the outbreak
| of war between Italy and Austria
would Immediately release the French
Adriatic feet for service at the Oar
| danelles. as the Italian navy would
probably be given control of the sit
uation in the Adriatic.
Dardanelles May Be Neutralized.
| 1t Is taken for granted that a state
of war between Italy and Turkey will
follow soon. Consequently much spec.
ulation is heard upon the political eff.
feet of Italy's enlistment with the al.
lies on the future of the Dardanelles
the Bosporus and Black sea ports, ant
| the possibility that out of 1t might
| come a proposal to neutralize these
straits with Constantinople as a neu
trail city under Joint protection Of
Great Britain, France, Russia and Italy