Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-02

June - announced that Lieut.. Gen.
Count Cadorna had is
italian sued an order to the
Italian army compli-
0vVance. menting 1t upon sue
cesses obtained in the Trentno Dis
patches dated June 81 report that the
Italians have driven back the Austrians
and captured Posina. Arsiera, Monte
Menere. Asiago.
There are many things which appear
to be obscure in the matter of Italy's
Intervention in the war. and the blow
inflicted just now upon Austria lends
opportunity to certain facts known to
the governments interested. but scarce
ly at all by their diplomatic agents.
One of the results of the congress Of
Berlin of 1878 was the formation OF
the triple alliance in 1881 between
Austria. Germany and Italy. This al
lance was renewed in 1887, 1891. 1902
and 1912. but each time with modifica-
tions. Why Italy should have been a
part of the alliance is obscure. Briefly.
Bismarck. Crispi and the British for
eign ONCE aiding were the chief
factors.
italy. It will be recalled, under Girls
ri was in the tow of Bismarck and was
led to believe that France would at
tack her. England was in Egypt IN
violation of the treaties. so that In 1882
England was maintained in Egypt,
against the French, by the tacit coop
Grafton OF italy and Germany. There
was besides an anti-French current
created in Italy because OF the too So
cialistic tendencies of the French gov
Dat ed n
day when King Humbert was made
Austrian colonel at Vienna and subse-
ouently it was announced that the En-
peror Francis Joseph had abandoned
the idea Of returning the visit the ar
dor of the italian people for the
there was a commercial war between
France and Italy from 1882 until the
death of Bismarck. until the death OF
Crispi. and finally until the disaster at
Bismarck and Crispi really loosened
the bands of Italy to the triple alliance.
The relations between Italy and France
were Immediately ameliorated. and be-
tween 1s9s-1sss treaties of commerce
were signed. The event Of the year
1904 was the entente signed between
France and England and then the con-
ference at Algeciras, where Italy
squarely sided with France against
Germany. In 1905 Austria annexed
subsequently made war against Tur-
key for the CONQUEST of the Tripolitan.
And this completed the break.
Austrian hate induced Germany
wholly to misunderstood Italy's situa-
ton, which until now may
Austria's be said to have been aim
less-shiftless. Prince Blu
naITeu. low said at this time to a
friend. who gave 1t away. ITALY is a
beautiful woman with whom 1t is a
pleasure to waltz" Italy remembered
the doubtful compliment. for July 81,
1914. she declared for neutrality.
Germany. IT is declared. was very
much angered at the declaration. which
was wholly unexpected. The kaiser
was personally very much put out and
is reported by the Kolnische Zeitung
and the Reichspost (although few per-
sons believed it possible) as having
sent King Victor of Italy the following
telegram: Victor or vanquished. 1 will
not forget thy perfidy."
The German press was seized with q
violent attack of Italophobia. The
Hamburger Nachrichten, Vossische Eel
tung and Berliner Tageblatt were
Deutsche Tageszeitung. said at the end
of a long invective: When will Italy.
in the name of the 'kultur' and Of lib
erty, draw her sword against the Ger
man empire?"
Was this an insinuation as to Crispis
attachment to "kultur' under Bis
marck, and Crispi's devotion to liberty?
Was it a shy at Italy because Italy had
not. and. strange to say. has not yet. de-
clared war against Germany? 1t is
to ~,
explain. 1t must be confessed the sit
uation is novel-strange. Is 1t due to
an excessive sensibility and a question
Of fancied chivalry on the part Of Italy
1t is not impossible. If Italy declares
war against Germany. not only a vast
number of ships informed in italian
ports would become trophies of war.
but also the vast sums invested by Ger
many in Italy would accrue to the
state. Are these the reasons for Italy's
hesitation?
Germany has placed in Italy great
sums. A great part of the capital en-
ployed in the development Of the north
of Italy is German. The system of
France have little money in indus
tries in italy. 1t was said that in 1915
Germany had invested in Italy 3,00O,-
100000 francs of German money to
the benefit of the borrower and the
lender. Without that af1luence OF Ger
man capital the material progress real
lied by Italy in the course of the last
fifteen years had not been so sensible.
In Lombardy German influence has
been created by the banks. Neverthe-
less. the Intervention
Sentiment in lists there have shown
the greatest activity.
Lombardy. The head of the move
ment is Senator Albertini of the fam
ily that directs the Corriere della
Sera.
The situation was complicated by
pa rliamentary impasse. In March. 1914,
Prof. Antonio Salandra succeeded M
Ciolitti as premier. Giolitti passed for
an interventionist, but the Marquis di
San Giulfano, minister of foreign at
fairs has German sympathies and was
an ayowed partisan of neutrality. The
MARQUIS San Giuliano died in December
and was succeeded by Baron Sidney
Sonnino, part Israelite. part English
1.-THE baron's father was a banker in
Egypt. in the days OF 1smafl
Pasha Khedive). Baron Sonntno had
been twice premier. He was expert
enced and by taste and temperament a
financier. Sonnino and Salandra were
both journalists and principal stock
holders in the Giornale d'1talia. Son.
nino favored rupture with France and
desired entry into the German al
49,. ne founded the "Rassegna