The sun., 1916-09-24
ITALY CAME IN WAR
TO FORCE RUMANIA
Germany Ignored Repeated
Efforts to Provoke Old
Ally Into Conflict.
HAND OF THE ENTENTE
and BRAND Visits Fol-
lowed by Further Overt
Acts by Italy.

lowed by Further Overt
Acts by Italy.
Special correspoadeacs 10 THs srS.
ROME. Sept. Snow that Italy has de-
clared war on Germany 1t h possible to
explain to some extent the reasons that
delayed such a declaration for more than
fifteen months. Logically. once italy de-
clared war on Austria and denounced the
Triple Alliance. Germany should rave
declared war OF Italy. The fact that she
did not do SO II due to reasons which
have never been satisfactorily explained
and which to a great extent are still un-
known to-day. The so-caIled diplomatic
history OF the great European conflagra-
ton cannot be written before the fire
has been out out. and consequently a
full and complete explanation Of this un-
precedented anomaly between Italy and
Germany. each allied to a group OF
Powers at war among themselves and
yet not at war with each other. ID not
Iosioit utloT ttt III oI tUt war.
Thu situation between Italy and Ger
many has been anomalous from begin
ming to end. so much SO In fact that even
Italy's declaration OF war which put an
end to 1t has been a deviation from the
so-called laws and usages OF war and
without a precedent In history. Since
Italy declared war On Austria on May
20. 1918. diplomatic relations between
Italy and Germany ceased to exist. Italy
and Germany therefore could only COM
municate with each other through a neu-
trail country. Switzerland. which looked
after Italian interests in Germany and
German interests in Italy.
War Declared Through Neutral.
For the FIRST time IN history a neutral
Government was asked TO communicate
10 another country n declaration Of war.
contrary to all precedent. and simultane-
ously the declaration of war was notified
TO all neutral countries.
Many attempts have been made to
explain why Germany failed 10 declare
war on Italy when hostil!ties between
Italy and Austria were opened. The
reasons SO far adduced are mostly based
or conjectures and no doubt some, per-
haps all. are more or less plausible and
founded on fact. II Is no mystery that
Germany was convinced that war be-
tween Austria and Italy was inevitable
since the frst days OF the outbreak Of
the war. Thu fact that Italy did not
join her allies hut proclaimed her neu-
'rality when war broke gu, was "A clear
indication that she did no, consider
herself bound by the Triple Alliance.
Prince Won Buelow was purposely sent
to Rome 10 prevent ltaly's intervention
in favor Of the Entente. His mission
was not to induce Italy to Join her
allies but 10 purchase her neutrality.
Germany thus admitted Italy's right to
remain neutral and recognized the fact
that the Triple Alliance was no further
binding as far as Italy was concerned.
When war between Italy and Austria
became inevitable the Kaiser's special
Ambassador hastened TO neeo;ia,e n spe-
clal agreement with Italy by means OF
which in case OF wal between Germany's
two allies neither Germany nor Italy
was TO intern their respective citizens,
seize their property or stop payments
due TO then. This agreement implied
that when war between Italy and Aus.
tria broke out Germany and Italy were
to remain friends. not on speaking terms
of course, since diplomatic relations were
10 be interrupted. but AT least not
enemies.
Object 81 Germany.
Now the reasons that prompted thi.
agreement which was proposed by Ger
many are obvious. Germany wanted e
safeguard her considerable financial in
~terests in Italy and prevent their helms
seized as enemy property, She wantec
20 save her ships refugcd in Italy since
the outbreak of the war. She wantec
finally to prevent Italy Joining the En-
tente completely.
In other terms. according to Germany
Italy was to fight her war against Aus
tria and not the Entente war agains
. Germany and Austria. Meanwhile TIT
i, Triple Alliance as far as Germany wa
concerned was to remain In allegiance.
Italy. in fact. when she declared wa
on Austria denounced the Triple Al
lance in respect to Austria. Her argu
ment was that as Austria had declared
, war on Serbia without giving Ital
previous notice as bound by tn
terms OF the Alliance. this had becom
: null and void and without effect, NOV
, Germany had not declared war o.
Serbia and Italy could not d%enounce tn
, Triple Alliance in respect Of German
= except by stretching a point,
: Possibly as when Italy declared wa
|, on Austria Germany had plenty OF avail
y iDit tlOoIS W ctilu RhiiiS ~ PSs
, haps across Switzerland to invade LON
/. hardy. it was thought safer for Italy I
!; fight only Austria and not her POVERTY
: ally. the more 40 as Germany was viii
|, ing to emain IN onlooker.
. Quarrel Only with Austria.
5 There may have been other reason
why Italy did not declare wal on Gel
= many besides the above. but the mai
: reason may be explained In plain an
/. simple language in the following terms
a Italy's quarrel was with Austria and nc
a with Germany. The majority OF IN
/, Italian Parliament was Giol!ttian an
, the neutral and pro-'ierman parties |
Italy were numerous and powerful. TIL
Entente had not had successes II III
Russians we're In retreat. while the Gel
mans had invaded France and were sti
threatening Paris,
II Italy could fight only Austria an
not Germany the union OF all the partis
i'm Italy, ncutrals and Giolittians as we
az pro-Germans, could be accomplishe
). and the Government would he supporte
J, by both Parliament and people, All thes
: considerations were carefully weighed
Q The Entente only wished for ltaly's II
4 PREVENTION and they were quite Statistic
Z. II she declared war on Austria. ltal
v was allowed complete freedom OF actio
and the result was that, after matui
deliberation. she decided To declare wa
e on Austria alone,
- Germany Aided Austria.
, N,.t, ~ u,no oxnaptad that ia,