ITALY'S DECISION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 146, 21 June 1915, Page 6

ITALY'S DECISION.

TO FIGHT WITH THE ALLIES. PREMIER'S STIRRING SPEECH. A UNITED NATIOK. <By Telegraph.—Special to tie "Star.") WELLINGTON, this dayItaly's decision to fight with the Allies is the latest feature of the war dealt "with in American Press reports j ust received by mail by the steamer Maitai. The "San Francisco OhronicleV Washington correspondent abates: — "Italy's action wa* not unexpected iv high official quarters. The United States has been kept closely informed of developments, as parleys at Vienna and Rome have progressed prior to May 20. As early as three weeks ago such advices as were received told of denunciation of articles in the Triple Alliance, predicted the failure of negotiations of the certain entry of Italy into the war. From official sources, also, it was learnt that Italy's aspirations politically and territorially found more generous response in the plans which the Allies have laid for reconstruction of the map of Europe in the event of victory than were granted in the prosposed Austrian concessions requiring Italy to remain neutral. Italy is said to have believed her opportunity to establish herself in Albania and Trieste, thus giving her control of, the Adriatic, could be more surely accomplished through co-operation with the Allies rather than with the Austro-Ger-

pause. RUMANIA HELD IN CHECK.

"•For several weeks official information Teaching Washington has given the impression in high executive quarters that Rumania would follow Italy's lead, that some alliance or agreement to that effect had long existed in Austro-Hungarian quarters. However, the ' belief prevails that Bulgaria, equipped with a German war loan, and aspiring to seize the first opportunity to regain territory, will either hold the army of Rumania in check or compel that country to maintain the status quo of neutrality.

WILL GREECE COME IN? "Developments in Greece, it was thought in Washington, might still further complicate the situation in the, Balkans, for in the evebt of the death of King Constantine some diplomatists I think Greece would join the Allies. THE HUMILIATION OjF ITALY. "A Rome dispatch-of Jjlay 20 says: 'The Premier, Signor Salajidra, in submitting to the Italian Chamber of Deputies a measure which was a step preceding the declaration of hostilities, said: "Gentlemen, I have the honour to present you a bill to meet the eipenae of national war." Prolonged applause foLlowed this announcement, j The Premier then began an exposition! of the situation in Italy before the opening of hostilities in Europe. He declared that Italy, before the opening [of hostilities, submitted to every humiliation from Austria-Hungary for the love of peace. By her. ultimation to Servia, the Premier 'said, Austria had binulled the equilibrium of the Balkajis and prejudiced Italian interests tlhere. Notwithstanding this evident violation of the treaty of the Triple Alliance, Italy endeavoured to defer decisive action as late as possible while preserving her own dignity. This was why the Government feit itself forced to present its denunciation of the Triple Alliance on May 4th. These declarations were deceived with great applause, which the Premier tried to quiet.

A UNITED NATION. " 'When he succeeded in so doing he said: "Italy must bo united at this moment when her destinies are being decided." These words wexe greeted with renewed applause, deputies and spectators rising. When quiet was restored, the Premier (Signor Salandra) exclaimed: 'We have confidence in our august chief, who is preparing to lead the a/Tiny toward a glorious future. Let us gather around tiiis well-beloved Sovereign.' It was observed that the Socialists took no part in; the applause. MODERATION, CONCORD AND PEACE. "The Premier continued: 'Since Italy's resurrection as a State, she has asserted herself in the world's nations as a factor of moderation, concord and peace. In the last period, extending over 30 years, she maintained her system of alliances and friendships, chiefly with the object of thus assuring European equilibrium, and at the same time peace. In view of the nobility of this aim, Italy not only subordinated her most sacred aspirations, but has also been forced to look on with sorrow at methodical attemps to suppress he specificaly Italian characteristic which nature and history imprinted on these regions. ANNULLED AT ONE BLOW. "'The ultimatum which the AustroHnngarian Empire addressed last July to Serbia annulled at one blow the effects of our long sustained effort by violating the pact which bound us to that State, violated the pact in form, for it omitted to conclude a preliminary α-rreement with us, or even give us notification, and violated it also in substance, for it sought to disturb to our detriment the delicate system of territorial possessions and spheres of influence which had been set up in the Balkan Peninsula. But, more than any particular point, it was the whole spirit of 1 the treaty which was wronged, and even suppressed, for by unloosing on the world a, most terrible war, in direct contravention of our interests and sentiments, the balance which the Triple Alliance should have helped to assure was destroyed, and thb problem of Italy's national integrity was virtually and irresistibly revived.'"