History of the World War, Vol. 3

, composed of Russia, France and England, and the Triple Alliance, composed of Germany, Austria and Italy. When the war began

use they were the aggressors. The constant assertions of the German statesmen, and of the Kaiser himself, that war had been forced upon them were declared untrue by their associate Italy in the very beginning, and the verdict of Italy was the verdict of the world. Not much was said

reats were used, later promises were held out of addition to Italian territory if she would send her troops to Germany's assistance. When this failed the most strenuous efforts were made to keep Ita

IC LABOR TO C

unbelievable natural obstacles they were conquering. Getting one of the monster guns into position in the mount

At the end of the Balkan wars they had been asked whether they would agree to an Austrian attack upon Serbia. They had consequently long been deliberat

glish and French navies, and her participation in the Triple Alliance always carried the proviso that it did not bind her to fight England. This was well known in the German foreign office, an

osition will result from a consideratio

r, to render France powerless he planned an alliance which should be able to control Europe. A league between Germany, Austria and Russia was his desire, and for some time every opportunity was taken to develop friendship with the Czar. Russia, however, remained cool. Her Pan-Slavonic sympathies were opposed

ared both France and Austria, who were strong Catholic countries, and hardly knew where to look for friends. The great Italian leader at the time was Francesco Crispi, who, beginning as a Radical and a co

in 1882, France seized Tunis, to the great indignation of the Italians. It has been shown in

s an easy argument that such an alliance would protect them against France, and no doubt it was promised that it would free them

on France. Meanwhile German commercial and financial enterprises were pushed throughout the Italian peninsula. What did

ria appropriated Bosnia and Herzegovina, another blow to Italy. By this time Italy understood the situation well, and that same year, seeing no fu

rs Divided N

sympathy among the Italians for the Germans. Moreover, it was not entirely a question of policy. The lordly arrogance of the Prussians caused s

in Italy was therefore strongly in favor of the Allies. The party in power, the Liberals, adopted the policy of neutrality for the time b

the negotiations between Italy and Austria-Hungary, which led to this declaration, was delivered to the Government of the United Stat

which always has inspired Italian policy. The treaty, as long as its intents and purposes had been loyally interpreted and regarded, and as long as it had not been used as a pretext for aggression against others, greatly contributed to the elimination and settlement of causes of conflict, and for many years assured to Europe the inestimable benefits of peace. But Austria-Hungary severed the treaty by her own han

uence of which might impose a duty upon the other signatories arising under the alliance, or which would in any way whatsoever encroach upon their vital interests. This article was violated by Austria-Hungary, when she sent to Serbia her note dated July 23, 1914, an action taken without the previous assent of Italy. Th

y James

HE ORDER

diers, resting before the order came t

hment upon the general interests of Italy both political and economical in the Balkan peninsula. Austria-Hungary could not for a moment imagine that Italy could remain indifferent while Serbian independence was being trodden upon. On a number of occasions theretofore, Italy gave Austria to understand, in friendly but clear terms, that the independence of Serbia was conside

ent of what she proposed to do, indeed leaving that government to learn of her action through the press, rather than through the usual channels of diploma

existing and future trouble. Her efforts were in vain, notwithstanding the efforts of Germany, which for months endeavored to induce Austria-Hungary to comply with Italy's

spicion, the Italian Ambassador at Vienna was instructed to declare to the Austro-Hungarian Government that the Italian Government considered itself free fro

. These offers could not be considered under the circumstances. The Italian Government taking into consideration what has been stated above, and supported by the vote of Parliament and the solemn manifestation of the country came to the decision that any

ortunity to bring under her flag the men of her own race still held in subjection by hated Austria. Now was the time or never. Her people had become roused. Mobs filled the streets. Grea

ernational F

D THE DIFFICULTIES OF TH

ions by these aerial cable cars. This picture, taken during the Austrian re

ivilization, for humanity. The country had been flooded by representatives of German propaganda, papers had been hired and, by all

ing away on account of illness. The Deputies especially applauded were those who wore military uniforms and who had asked permission for leave from their military duties to be present at the sitting. All the tribunes were filled to overflowing. No representatives of Germany, Austria or Turkey were to be seen in the diplomatic tribune. The first envoy to arrive was Thomas Nelson Page, th

eared in the rear of the public tribune which was so crowded that it seemed impossible to squeeze in anybody else

autograph bearing the date of this eventful day. Se?or Marcora, President of the Chamber, took his place at three o'clock. All the members of the House, and everybody in the galleries, stood

for a long time. After the formalities of the opening, Premi

sent to you a bill to meet the even

ontinue on account of the wild cheering. The climax was reached when he made a reference to the army and navy. Then the cries seemed interminable, and tho

e King, war and Italy. Thirty-four Socialists refused to join the ch

d intense feeling. A newspaper man in Vienn

ia, despite a long and costly war, is hated. Italy, however, or rather those Italian would-be politicians and business men who offer violence to the majority of peaceful

loyed the latest technical improvements in defensive warfare. Upon the Garso and around Gorizia the Austrians had placed innumerable batteries of powerful guns mounted on rails and protected by armor pla

uns, surrounded by wire entanglements through which ran a strong electric current. These lines of trenches followed without interruption from the banks of the Is

the Italian army, had been bringing that army up to da

Italy is liable to military service for a period of

; territorial militia, 1,889,659; total strength, 3,159,836. The above number of total men available included upward of 1,200,000 fully trained soldiers, with perhaps another 80

ion with Austria proper, the railway which ran south from Insbruck, and that which ran southwest from Vienna and joined the former at Fransensfets; and second, in

Isonzo River to Monfalcone, sixteen miles northwest of Trieste. Another force penetrated further to the north in the Crown land of Gorizia, and Gradisco. Reports from Italy were that encounters with the enemy had thus far been merely outpost skirmishes, but had allowed Italy to occupy advantageous positions on Austr

of about forty miles. Monfalcone was taken by the Italians on June the 10th, the first serious blow against T

Plava, north of Borrigia, which was carried by a surprise attack. The Isonzo was in flood, and presented a serious obstacle to the onrush of the

n Galicia against the Russians. When Italy began her invasion the defenses of the country were chiefly in the hands of hastily mobilized youths below the military age of nineteen, and men above the military age of forty-two. From now

elp much. No guns of great caliber could be carried on the mountain, and Tolmino, which had been heavily fortified, and contained a garrison of some thirty

as Dueno, on the Monfalcone-Trieste Railroad. The army was in position to make an attack upon Gorizia. On the 2d of July an attack on a broad front was aimed directly at Gorizia. The left was to swing around against the defenses o

ADORNA'S

the town of Gorizia which fell

as continuous bombardment and counter-bombardment. The fighting on the left was terrific. In the neighborhood of Plava the Italian forces found themselves opposed

encourage his troops. The final assault carried the heights. On the 22d of July the

n hands, but it was difficult to advance. The result of the three months' campaign was a stalemate. In the high mountains to the north Italy's campaign was a war of defense. To undertake her offensive on the Isonzo it was n

ino was more difficult. It was necessary, because of the converging valleys, to push her front well inland. On the Carnic

turesque fighting went on, but not much progress was made. Further west in the Dolomite region there was more fighting. On the 30th of May Cartina

o capture these heights was a most difficult feat, which the Italians performed in the most brilliant way; but even after they had passed these defiles success was not yet won. Ea

d mountain ridges. Only small bodies of troops could maneuver, and the raising of guns up steep precipices was extremely difficult. The Italians slowly succeeded in gaining ground, and established a chain of posts around the heights so tha