ITALY AND AUSTRIA,

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 203, 12 August 1914, Page 3

ITALY AND AUSTRIA,

FLEET JN THE ADRIATIC

TRADITIONAL RIVALS

Fortunately for our side there is' very small chance of the Italian fleet being drawn into the European conflict by Germany’s ultimatum, for had Italy surrendered the position she has taken up to the bounce of our enemies, a formidable fleet! would be set in motion. Students of European politics have long believed that the Italian fleet was intended primarily as a weapon against Austria, and that Austria’s growing navy was more a reply to Italy than a contribution to the naval strength of thej Triple Arlliance. Cetainly there has; Been'no love loist between Italy and, Austria, though nominally they havej been bound together by their common alliance with Germany. Their| enmity is traditional, and if report; speaks truly Italy would welcome a' chance to shake herself free from! the entanglement with Austria and enter the orbit with France. The Italian fleet contains the following completed ships : — Dreadnoughts 4 . ■ Older battleships 8 Armoured cruisers 10 Cruisers 7 Destroyers 35 Torpedo-boats 60 Submarines 16 The Italian fleet gave a very good account of itself during the recent war with Turkey. It was not required to do much actual fighting, but its organisation proved effective and its officers and men displayed enterprise and resource. The Austrian navy, considered as a serious factor in world politics, is of recent growth. The older Austrian warshins are poorly-armed vessels of bad types, but during the last six or seven years some powerful battleships have been built. Two Dreadnoughts laid down in 1910 have been completed ,and a third all-big-gun ship will be ready for sea shortly. The Austrian fleet includes the following units:— Dreadnoughts 2 Other battleships 9 Armoured cruisers ’ 3 Cruisers 12 Destroyers 12 Torpedo-boats bo Submarines 6 The reputation of the Austrian navy does not stand high. The ships and crews, it is said, are not exercised at sea enough to secure efficiency.