ITALY'S PREPARATIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2392, 23 February 1915, Page 7

ITALY'S PREPARATIONS

.WHAT APRIL MAY BRING, After spending . several months in Italy, Captain P. Lubrano, of Sydney, ■declares that the sentiments of the Italian people are wholly in favour of the Allies, and especially of Great Britain. There were not 5 per cent, of the Italians whose sympathies did not run that way. If Italy participated in -the great struggle that, was going on there was no question whatever as to whose side she would join. There was only one course possible.- While Germany had a few 1 friends in Italy, Austria had none at all. The Austriacs we're hated by every Italian, and for good reasons, too, as Italy had been vefy badly treated by them. If war against Austria had- been started while he was in Italy, he would certainly have offered himself for service. Although the French were of the 6ame race'as tho Italians the feeling for France in ordinary time 6 had not been . (juite so warm as for. Britain. Britain had helped Italy to become united, and liad assisted her financially and in other, ways, and her friendliness had been; much appreciated. Englishmen- Lad' always on this account been treated with spocial courtesy in Italy.

"I cannot say, because I 'do not know, whether Italy is coming into tie war."' continued Captain Lubrano. "The general opinion in Italy is that this country cannot remain neutral very much longer, and that April or May nest will see the Italians taking an active part, and you can rest assured that they will ,bo with the Allies. Otherwise the people would not fight, lam perfectly cortain of that. I saw many evidences of military activity in Italy. Many thousands of men have' been called to the colours who in ordinary times would not have been serving, and manoeuvres are going on every day. Just before I left Naples an order came from Rome forbidding all men up to 38 yoars of age who .had received military training, - and who would have to serve in the first 'categoria' in the event of war,, from leaving Italy. -No order was, , however, made with respect to those who would constitute tho-Second 'categoria' or'the third. The navy is very efficient, but. the army needs a bit of brushing up, and it is now getting it. "Everyone in Italy is agreed' that the war is going to be a long one, and tho general feeling is that thero can be. only one result. Wo cannot see how Germany can possibly triumph. The revelations made recently by Signor Giolitti, the late Prime Minister, confirmed the belief of most people that Germany's plans had been laid for a long time, and that the responsibility for the war does not. tho Germans have asad, rest on Great Britain, but .on Gerniany herself. Siguor Giolitti told how Austria in 1913 wanted to declare war on Servia, and consulted Italy, as one. of the parties to tho Alliance, but Italy would not approve. It is generally'believed that it was Italy, who gave England tho 'tip' about Germany's intentions at the ond of July, and enabled her to boltlc-up the German fleet."