Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-28
ITALY DECLARES
war AGAINST THE
GERMAN EMPIRE
Rome CO. $50 Proclaims
Stat - mites Exists
- 1t and Land
Of Kaiser
THIS AFTER AUGUST 2S
Switzerland Requested to In
form Berlin of Decision
Of Quirinal.
STATEMENT IS PREPARED
STATEMENT is PREPARED
Rome. Aug. 27.-Italy today de-
clared war on Germany.


Berlin, Aug. 27-(By wireless to
Sayville. )-The following official an
nouncement was made here today
THE Italian government has de-
clared through the Swiss government
that it considers itself from August
28 at war with Germany"
Paris Aug. 27.-A Havas dispatch
from Rome gives a communication
prepared By the Stefani agency and
addressed b. the Italian government
to the Swiss government. 1t re-
quests the Swiss government to in
form the German government that
Italy considers herself at war with
Germany from and after August 2S.
Italy and Germany have been drift
ing steadily toward war The declar-
alton became inevitable when Italy
recently sent troops to Saloniki to
cooperate in the campaign of the en-
terte allies on the Macedonian from
tier, as Germany is directing the op-
posing forces and has troops on this
battle line,
1talys position in regard to Ger
many has been an anamolous one
since Italy withdrew from the triple
alliance May 2j last year and de-
clared war on Austria. Although by
this act she arrayed herself against
her former allies Germany and Aus
tria, she remained officially at peace
with Germany until yesterday
Work of Own Buelow.
Before Italy took this step Ger
many exerted every effort to induce
it OF remain neutral, sending TO Rome
as an ambassor Prince Won Buelow.
The prince for some time ayerted war
between Austria and Italy, and when
he saw rupture was inevitable took
steps toward preservation of an Of
fetal peace between Germany and
Italy. He negotiated special agree
ment under which, in case of war be-
tween Austria and Italy. Germany
and Italy pledged themselves to re-
spect the properties and lives OF their
respective subjects in each others do
mains. '5',s r... ~
According to unofficial reports from
Europe. Italy's allies were dissatis-
fed and at the Paris council of en-
tente powers in February last asked
the Italian representatives why their
nation was not at war with Germany.
Italy already had agreed not to con-
clude a separate peace, and at the
Pris conference sanctioned the plan
for permanent high council of the
entente powers for future conduct of
the war.
Declaration Certain.
The increasing cooperation among
the entent allies and the necessity for
bringing into service Italy's surplus OF
troops, gradually brought Italy into
such position that it became evident
a declaration OF hostilities against
Germany was certain.
The first overt act in this direction
occurred shortly after the Paris con-
ference. February % Italy requisi-
toned thirty-four OF the thirty-seven
German steamships interned in Italian
ports to help meet the pressing needs
OF the allies for shipping facilities.
Other indications of approaching war
have been observed in recent weeks.
A German court ruled that Italy and
Germany were actually, though not
formally, at war. II was reported un-
officially that Germany had taken
charge OF the defence OF Triest. A
more definite indication was the sew