El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-09
WHY ITALY IS
IN THE BIC WAR
Prime Minister Gives Rea-
sons and Sets Forth the
Italian Demands.
By BAHON sONNINO,
(ForeiEn Minister Of italy,

Rome, Italy. April Count Ger.
ans assertion that he was ready tc
agree to the eventual reduction o.
ornaments to the extent demanded by
the internal safety Of the state.
maintain would be equivalent to con
ceding to Austria an exceptional al
vantage compared to other states il
the matter Of forces Of all arms
We are always ready with our allie.
to discuss any. serious and sincere
peace proposal. but we cannot non
calamity begin peace negotiations
without having an assurance as TO the
conditions 70 be proposed and accepted
by our enemies.
Since 1906 Germany has played her
game on the assumption that disa-
greements viii arise between her enc
mics and on her action to provoke an
internal upheaval in the enemy states.
She has succeeded in Russia. and
now she is looking at Italy. relying
upon the fact that If peace ueEotia-
tons we're begun. il would not be pos
sible to resume hosulties owing %
The weakening effect which the Illus
the people. re1ute the cunning cam
paigu which insinuates that italian
aspirations are inspired by imperial
istic and anti-democratic conceptions
what italy Fights For.
There is not a word Of truth in this.
Our demands as regards Austria
Hungary correspond to clinical con-
ceptions and TO legitimate safety on
land and sea The clinical reasons
are evident in themselves, and have
been consecrated by the indomitable
THeTHaw 81 s1rrrH Herr=7-
tories The legitimate reasons for
safety on land and on sea are Just as
evident
We aspire solely 70 a minimum Of
security on the mili tary borders which
is an imprssriptabie condition o. Id
erty and political independence, and
renders possible al the same tine a
normal disarmament and 2 peacsabIe
Development Of our resources and
activities without the continual and
harassing anxiety about inVaSions
and surprises from the other side. We
demand no privileged situation for an
offensive against anyone whatsoever,
but simply conditions which IRE indis-
pensable FOR our reasonable security.
Desire EquiIibrIum.
As to the eastern Mediterranean.
repeat that we are not pursuing in
perialist aims. We desire. n view OF
eventual reimbursement BY others as
a result Of the war, that an equilio-
rum OF strength should be main-
tzined. A certain equilibrium OF
strength IS an essential condition for
the sincere c0nstitu tuition and the prac-
teal efficacy q the league Of nations
II one or two states should have a
great prepouderance everywhere there
would be no guarantee that they
would not arbitrarily impose their VIII
on the entire world.
As regards Albania, We are ready 70
recognize the independence Of Aba
MA il conformity with the genera
principles Of respect for narionalities
snd tie right Of elf-determination
but the fate OF Albania is OF special
interest 70 italy, as i IS intimately
connected with the possession Of va
Iona and with the general settlement
OF the question OF the Adriatlc- Ilal
IS why il is q vital question 1or Italy.
IN the case Of Albania italy has no
other object than that Of defence
against any possible interference OF
intrigue BY other powers
Unity OF AIsed Effort.
We have now entered upon the crit-
icsl and decisive phase Of the immense
world conflict It VIII be for al
period OF severe trials and painful
sacrifices for the welfare and honor
Of the country. and one which VIII lay
On governments even greater resQon-
sibf7ftSes for the intensificatfon and
o. military and civil ac-
ton for the defence and triumph Of
the common cause