AUSTRO-GERMAN BID FOR ITALY'S HELP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 67, 19 March 1915, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMAN BID FOR ITALY'S HELP.

LARGE AREA OF SOUTHERN AUSTRIA OFFERED.

GERMANY OVERCOMES AUSTRIAN RESISTANCE.

ITALIANS HOLDING OUT FOR LARGER SHARE.

(Received 10.15 a.m.) ROME. March 18. It is reported that Yon Bulow has given Italy assurances that Germany ss able to overcome the resistance of Austria and to induce her to cede territory, and give Italy a free hand in Southern Albania, and to further ber ambitions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Yon Bulow points out that the marine supremacy there of Great Britain aad France will squeezo Italy out. Italian supporters of the Triple Entente state that the defeat of the Austro-<"erm3n armies is inevitable, whether Italy participate', or not. =\t tbe conclusion of peace tho separation of Austria from Hungary is expected, leading to the absorption of the Austrian provinces by Germany and the ext-vnsion of the German dominion to Trieste, which will then be for ever lo«t to Italy, who will be iorced to abandon Yalona in Albania and the Aegean Islands. It is understood in well-informed circles that Italy desires territory in the ■prill-east, and to extend her boundaries at the north end of the Adriatic as as far as Kiume. including Pola and the provinces of Trent and Trieste to tho Julian Alps, including the province of Goritz, Istria and the Dalmatian Islands. Austria is willing to grant territory including that portion of Lake Garda which lies in Austria, the towns in the river valleys from Chics, eastward ot the River Prane. to the Adige Rivers, excluding the Trest. Austria asks a large sum as compensation for the renunciation of territory inhabited by Italians. The difference between Italy's demands aad Austria's offer is so great that an adjustment is not likely. The Geneva "Tribune" announces that a large part of the Italian Xavy is concentrating at Otranto. the nearest base to the Dardanelles.