THE NEUTRAL NATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 17 March 1915, Page 5

THE NEUTRAL NATIONS.

ITALY'S DECISIVE HOUR.

SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE.

(Times and Sydney Sun Services.)

(Received 8.30 a.m.)

LONDON, March 16. The "Giornale d'ltalia," in a serai-offi-cial article on the problems of neutrality, says that Italy must, if necessary, sacrifice blood and money. The people must not cradle themselves with the illusion that neutrality can be prolonged indefinitely, and must be prepared. The decisive hour for making Italy greater, stronger, and happier is "inevitably approaching.

WAR AT ANT COST,

POLICY LACKS PROMPTNESS.

ROME, March 16. The newspaper "Messagero" says that the Allies have planned a military expedition to take Constantinople. "Does this arrangement," asks the newspaper, "exclude Italy entirely, or almost entirely, from the partition of Turkey, which will be the basis of an arrangement in the Eastern Mediterranean? This would be a grave declaration for Italy, whose policy lacks the promptness that is necessary for great achievements?" The "Corriere d'ltalia" advises war at any cost, and remarks that Italy's mobilisation is intended for the defence of Italian interests, against Austria's attempts to prevent Italy maintaining the position she is entitled to in the surroundng seas. The "Lavante," the Italian Socialist organ, declares that Austria is prepared to cede Trentino, Trieste, and the hinterland to Italy in return for a continuance of Italy's neutrality.

GREECE SHOULD COME IN.

CHANCE TO QUADRUPLE HER TERRITORY.

' ATHENS, March 16. M. Venizelos, the late Prime Minister of Greece, has published a statement appealing to the new Government to abandon the policy of neutrality. He urges that the present moment offers Greece a chance to quadruple her territory if the Ministry embraces the opportunity. M. Venizelos says that he can guarantee the support of a majority of the members of Parliament.

The newspaper "Embros" declares that Turkey has renewed her offer to renounce in favour of Greece her claim to all islands in the Aegean Sea occupied by Greeks if Greece will maintain her neutrality.

BULGARIA DENIES CRISIS.

(Received 9.10 a^m.)

LONDON, March 16. A message from Bucharest states that several associates of M. Venizelos have arrived at Sofia, and are suggesting a reconstruction of the Balkan League. The Bulgarians, it is stated, have cordially received the Greeks. In Bulgaria the reported Ministerial crisis is officially denied, and its is announced that Bulgaria is pursuing a| course of strict neutrality. ° I