Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-11-11
CONDUCT OF ITALY
ST|RS suspicious
Refusal to Send Troops Into
Balkans and Proposal to
Resume German Trade
Look Queer.

London. Nov. S.-The refusal of 1t
the proposal by Italy to resume certain
trader relations with Germany. nave led
to much speculation in diplomatic cir
cles. Italy and Germany never have
declared war on each other. Inasmuch
as there is apparently nc quarrel be-
tween them, it is assumed that Italy
will not precipitate matters by fight
ing the Germans directly. A Rome dis
patch says:
In some we'll informed quarters, it
is thought that when Italy denounced
the triple alliance and joined the en-
tente allies, she made a declaration to
the entente that her participation in
the war was limited to fighting Aus
tria-Hungary, with the object of con-
querin@ Italian provinces still subject
to Austrian rule, at the same time
stating that she did not wish to extend
hostllities to Germany. This situation,
it is pointed out, might enable the two
countries to help Zach other in given
cases.
What Is ItaIy's Game?
The speculative theory also is ad-
vanced that Italy, being in no position.
geographically, to lend military or ma
val assistance TO Germany II Aus
tria, and her erstwhile allies being in
no position to assist her in the event
of an attack by the Anglo-9rench. It
ally went into the war on the side of
the entente allies, with a complete I'M
Outstanding with Germany as to what
her course should be. There always
has been bad blood between Austria
and Italy. Germany had no interest
in that quarrel. There is a growing
conviction that the Tyrol-IsonZo cam
paign is being conducted on a cut and
dried plan. agreed to by both sides.
Cadorna Blocks Move.
Italy's participation in the Balkan
campaign has been frustrated by Lieu
tenant General Cadorna, chief of the
| Italian general staff, according to
Rome advices. One dispatch says:
"Opinion here is divided concerning
the conduct of the war, especially as
regards a Balkan expedition. Lieuten-
ant General Count C~adorna's iron will
has triumphed in his respect. He
said he would rather resign as chief
of the general staff than allow a part
of his troops to participate in a Balkan
adopted by the minister of war and the
entire cabinet"
The dispatch further relates there is
a division Of opinion in the Italian
cabinet as to the of the War
At a recent meeting of the ministers
one is said to lave suggested that the
best interests of Italy could be con-
| served by assisting a movement toward
the restoration Of peace. This pro-
voked an outburst, it is said, and the
good faith of the minister was ques-
toned. Epithets We're engaged in and
one minister is reported to nave thrown
a book at another. The incident is said
to have been largely of a personal ma
ture.
Plan to Resume Trade.
Concerning the resumption of trade
relations with German a Rome dis
patch
Existing returns between Italy and
Germany again are a subject of interest
among Italian political observers, ow-
ing to the lack Of a declaration of war
upon either sid and because both
countries seemingly are avoiding any
thing which might embitter their in
tercourse.
Reports from Berlin say that sew
eral thousand Italian workmen still are
living in Germany unmoleSted and en-
joying the thorough protection of the
authorities, while many Germans con-
tinue to reside in Italy without suffer
ing any injury.
What is more remarkable in the
| opinion of prominent Italians, is that
negotiations are actually taking place
with a view to an exchange between
which do not bear directly on the war