The Washington herald., 1916-08-28
Announcement Sent Kaiser
Through Switzerland; Rou-
mania Expected Next to
Join Conflict.


made by Italy. Following informs-
tion that it had reached the imperial
German government through Swift
zerland, announcement of the gov
ernment's action was made here late
yesterday.
The intolersble situation created
by the fact that Italy was at war
with Germany's ally, and the fact
that Germany loaned all possible
support to that ally, Austria Hungary.
against Italians and their interests. led
The government TO its decision.
That decision was made public IN tbs
following announcement:
The Italian government declares IN
the name Of the King that Italy con-
siders herself to be in a state Of war
with Germany as from August Is and
begs the Swiss government TO convey
man government"
The complete cessation Of all COM
munication between Italy and Ger-'
many. brought about by the Austrian-
Italian war. made il necessary for,
Italy to convey through Switzerland
her declaration Of war to Germany.
IL is believed here that Roumania.
I
an entente, will follow the Italian
government In declaration of war
against the central empires and their
allies.
In some quarters Il is expected that
this announcement by the Bucharest
government will come no later than
today or tomorrow
Following meeting Of the cabinet to-
day the official announcement Of a state
Of war between Italy and Germany was
made. A statement giving the reasons
for the action Of the Italian government
also was given out by Baron Sonnino,
| minister Of foreign affairs. It is in the
| form Of communication TO Switzer-
| land. neutral. and was transmitted
through the Italian minister at Berne
The announcement Of war with Ger
many had the most cheering effect DOS
siole on the people Great crowds form
ed IN the streets immediately the news
became public and professions wer~
started in many sections Of Rome Re-
ports from the provincial cities tell Of
equal rejoicing throughout the nation.
Crisis at Buchsrest.
The situation at Bucharest has reached
a crisis. II is declared. In an effort to
quiet the populsce. semi-officlsl COM
munication was issued there today
Italy's action does not come AZ a ru--
] Prise II mas peeD DFeQlfie0s promised
] threatened and even un0f7ciaUv an
nounced as otter as Rourla nian in.erven-
I tion on the allies side. ard this too is
now expected to become an accomplished
! fact before many more dsys have passed.
! The course Of the Itslo-Gerrnan relations
have taken since August /. 1914. and to-
DAYS inevitable outcome were marked
and foreshadowed by The following out
standing events
At the beginning Of the war Itslv re-
nounced the triple alliance and declared
for a policy OF neutrality. On Nav 3
OF the same year she declared war on
Austria Hungary Welding to overuhelr1-
/ ing pressure OF public sentiment and re-
tectinE sweeping territorial offers from
her former ally. On August q. 1915. she
/ followed this UP with a declaration Of
war against Turkey. Germans pet pro
IteEe. On February Is. last. the Italian
government reQUlsitioned thirty-Cour OF
the thirty-seven German steamships IN
termed in Italian ports and the climax
came on the third day Of the present
month when Italy gave notice to Ger
many Of the termination Of the Itslo-
German commercial treaty OF 1891. which
would have expired at the end Of 1917.
Balkan Trouble Respon.ibIe
Curiously enough. the immediate cause
OF Ttaly's declaration OF open hostilities
against Germany is the development ot
! affairs in the same sphere Of interest,"
that was chiefly responsible for the rup-
ture Of the triple alliance and Italy's re-
fusal TO fight on the side Of the Teutonic
powers, namely, the Balkans
| In August. 1914. she gave Al one Of her
reasons the fact that Austria's seton
against Serbia tended TO upset the status
she wished to see maintained. The
Balkans for the Balkan peoples" To-
day she draws the sword on Germany
I nal n he 70 sal
part in the Macedonian campaign by
which the entente powers propose to re-
conquer Serbia.
Once before the allies had appealed to
Italy TO take 8 hand in the Balkans. At
that time however Italy refused II
was in October Of last year. when Eng
land and France sought TO mske good
their promise to save Serbia from being
overrun by the combined Teuton and
Bulgarian
! Italy's answer was that her forces
were tied up in the Trentino and in Al
banis and that she trusted the sIHes
would "rectitv their own mistakes"
Since then the entente powers have
/ thrown the Teutonic empires on the de-
fensive on all fronts and in this Itslv
took active rart by her vigorous Of
fensive on the Isonzo. The military SIT
uation has changed radically and the
fact that II is not nearly 2 as fsvors he TO-
Germany as Il was last fall IL believed
TO he the explanation for Itsly's latest
move.
Won BueIow Delayed BreaE.
The fsct that open war has not come
sooner between the two former allies. Is
attributed chiefly to the diplomatic
activities OF Prince Bernhard Won Bue-
low. former imperial German chancellor
who, through his marriage with an Ital-
ian noblewomsn and his many devoted
friends at King Victor Ernmanuel's
court, had probably more influence at
Rome than any other European states
man. Though unable TO avert an Italo-
Austrian war. he succeeded in prevail
ing upon Italy to avoid q break with
Germany. Direct diplomatic intercourse
was broken when he left Rome. His ef-
forts were feverishly combatted by the
entente powers. Frequent visits were
made by French and English statesmen.
Even Premier Asquith went to Rome
l..