The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-07
ITALY STIRRED By
VISIT OF ASQUIYH
Declaration Of War Upon Ger
many Expected to BE
Not Far OFF.
"UN1TY NOW COMPLETE
Special corresposdeace to TuE Sow.

Special CovespoSdesce to THE SOW.
RoMn. April Next TO the Allies
conference at Paris. Premier Asquith's
visit to Rome In considered the most Inn
portant event preluding the impending
military and political developments that
are confidently expected TO initiate the
final and decisive phase Of the great war.
IL Is understood here hat the British
Premier did not come TO Rome In order
TO confer with the members OF the Italian
Government. and In fact during the two
days he was here. with the single excep-
ton Of the usual formal visits to the
Foreign and Home offices 70 leave cards
on Baron Sonnino and Premier Salandra.
Mr.. Asquith's intercourse with the Ital-
ian Ministers was limited 10 meetings M
official bdnuuets and receptions.
All the questions connected with the
war, political. economic n financial.
had already been exclusively discussed
at the Paris conference and Mr.. AS
quith's mission to Rome was not because
OF any necessity to continue such dis
cussions.
Apart from the unprecedented on =
burst OF popular enthusiasm provoked by
Mr.. Asouith's visi, 10 Rome. which af-
fords an u~nm!stakable proof that Italy's
alliance with England Is not based OH
reasons Of convenience. but on solid
friendship, the Importance OF the British
Ptemiers visit to Rome can be realized
from his public u%tterances.
Asquith Praises Italy.
NJ. Asquith made three important
speeches. The first two were delivered
on the same day. the first when he re-
ceived the representatives Of the Italian
press at the British Embassy. and the
second when a few hours later lie
thanked the Mayor Of Rome for the
reception at the capitol The third
speech, tho most important OF the three,
was delivered IN the following day at a
banquet offered hy Premier Salandra
In honor ~ his British colleague.
At tine banquet Mr.. Asduith. speaking
abou, the affection between Italy and
England. continued. In truth. diverse
IN many ways as have been the limos Of
our development. the national NE in our
Two countries is 10 a large extent fed
from the same sources and animated 10y
the am spirit. Hatred Of tyranny, love
Of Justice, the passion fo- liberty. the
sense Of equality OF all men before the
law. free opinion. free s~peech--;hese are
the ideas that are held and the principles
OF policy which are practised with equal
ardor and conviction In Great Britain and
Italy. No wonder. then. that the years
since your unity was finally achieved
have been years OF unbroken friendship
between the two nations-a friendship
which M Observation-Disclosures or m!schance
has ever been allowed ever for a mo'nen
TO imperil.
such were our happy relations before
the war. But to-day we are not only
friends but allies, finding In our common
efforts. our cominon sacrifices. our com
mon hopes a new and eve more inti-
mate bond Of union. We watch with
equal pride the glorious gallantry and
skill Of the allied armies ard navies
This is not a war that can be won merely
by the multiplication OF fighting men
and tn. accumulation Of munitions and
material. II calls for the organization,
IN. coordination. the concentrated IN
due proportion and proper perspective
Of all the varied resources Of the Allies
''Purposc Of the AItcs."
W have to work in concert not only
On the battlefield. not only on the high
seas. not only IN the air above aud un
der The waters but also IN the not less
essential domain OF industry. OF trans
port, OF finance. Finally. | ask. could
these efforts and sacrifices be inspired
by "A worthier cause Independence for
the smaller and weaker states. reSpect
FOR treaties and for public law, rosolute
resistance 10 the supremacy OF brute
force-for these are all means to AZ
end-the free life OF a free Europe, To.
gether We stand or fall and. standinc
together as we do. we shall achieve d
decisive and durable victory. not for our.
selves alone but for posterity. for the
future Of civilization. for the deares, an6
most precious interests OF humanity"
TIL significance Of Mr., Asquith's pub.
lie utterances In Rome is oh, ious and
exceptional Importance was attached &c
his statements In view of the fact tina,
although an ally. Italy ia not vet ~ wal
with Germany, technically speaking The
reasons why Italy has not yet declared
a on Germany are still more or less
a mystery. or rather "A secret. which
however. does not render her alliance
less complete. since otherwise Italy's
participation in the Paris conference.
would have been worse Than useless.
War On Germany Likely.
Mr., Asquith's statement that the Allies
are now working in concert in the es-
sCn,ial domains OF industry, transport
and finance and that their varied re
sources have been organized. coordinated
and concentrated to win the war against
the common enemy would have had nc
meaning II II doubt could be enter
tanned about ltaly's loyalty owing to
the fact that n state Of val does not
exist between her and GerWany.
\ proof has thus been afforded that
whatever reasons may have prevented
So far a state of war between Italy ant
Germany they are not Of such "A uatur
as 10 affect l,aly's allian nee with the En-
tcnte lowers. There is every reason
to believe hat developments az such 4
nature are bound to occur as to compe
Germany TO declare war on Italy.
This may explain why Siguor Bisso'
lati. the leader of the so-Called Inter
ventist party, in less than "A fortnight
ago urged the Government to declar,
war with Germany and threatened e
overthrow the Cabinet IL such a dcclara,
tion had been delay ed. Unexpectedly de,
cided tn support the Government aud af.
hrmed that those whO insist on al
Immediate declaration of war on Ger,
many do not see far enough
All those who, like Signor Bisscla,i
urged q declaration of war against Ger.
many are now satisfied to wait, Theil
Impotence has disappeared, their doubts
nave been removed and their fears about
itai,'s future position un,oss Il s.a.a ~.
wal between her and Germany had beer
brought about have been allayed. Mr.