CIRCULAR SENT TO THE POWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3193, 26 May 1915, Page 57

CIRCULAR SENT TO THE POWERS.

ROME, May 24. Italy lias circularised the Powers. Being strengthened by the vote in Parliament and solemn demonstrations throughout Italy, it has decided to avoid delay. Signor Kurin's paper, La Stampa, tho foremost champion of neutrality throughout, has yielded. It declares that its duty henceforth will bo to give the warmest support to the national cause, and adds ; “ May the event now maturing destroy one

by one our reasonings; may they demonstrate that our forebodings were fallacious visions, our fears wholly baseless, and all our campaign was but the miscalculation of a tired brain and a fearful heart.” FRANCE'S GRATIFICATION. PARIS, May 24. M. Millerand (Minister of War) telegraphed to General Jol'fro news of Italy’s declaration, and added : “ Our troops will welcome with joyous enthusiasm the entry of our Latin sister. Faithful to her glorious heritage, Italy rises to naige the fight of civilisation against barbarism: Her intervention is a fresh pledge of final victory." READY TO STRIKE. ROME, May 24. Eight hundred thousand troops, chiefly Bavarians and Hungarians, are ready to cross the frontier. The Austrian fleet is concentrated at Pola, and torpedo-boats are cruising at Cattaro, while 11 submarines are guarding the Dalmatian coast. AUSTRIAN AMBASS ADOR’S DUPLICITY. ROME, May 24. M. March ao, Austrian Ambassador, spent his last hours in demanding that Italy should respect the diplomatic immunity conferred upon the Holy See. His manifest purpose was to make capital as a zealous champion of Catholicism, and in order that his Prussian and Bavarian colleagues ■ might continue to send ciphered telegrams from Rome. TREATMENT OF REFUGEES. ROME, May 24. The treatment of refugees from Germany and Austria has greatly incensed the Italians. The Austrians held up a train containing 1500 Italians for 24 hours, and left them without food and water. Two babies died, from the heat and thirst, in their mothers’ arms. ROME, May 24. The Duke of Aosta, a cousin of the King, has gone to the front.