Italy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 65, 19 March 1915, Page 5

Italy

navy concentrating in the DARDANELLES. (Received 8.-15 a.m.) Geneva, March 18. The Tribune announces that a large part of the Italian Navy is concentrating at Tranto, near the east base in the Dardanelles. GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN DESIRES THE SUGGESTED CONCESSIONS(Received 8.45 a.m. Rome, March 18. It is reported that General Von Billow has given Italy assurances that Germany will be able to overcome any resistance in Austria to induce her to cede territory to he given to Italy, who would have a free hand in Southern Albania, and’in regard to further ambitions in the eastern Meditteranean, pointing out that the marine supremacy there of Great Britain and Franco would squeeze Italy out. Supporters of the Triple Entente state that, the defeat of the AustroGerman army is inevitable, whether Italy will participate or not. At the conclusion of peace the separation of Austria-Hungary is expected, leading to the absorption of the Austrian provinces by Germany and the extension of the German dominion to Trieste, which will then be for ever lost to Italy, who will be forced to abandon Avloua and the Aegean Islands. Well-informed circles understand that Italy desires territory in the north-east to extend her boundaries at the north-end of the Adriatic as far as Fiume, including the Pola provinces, Trent and Trieste, to the Julian Alps, and including the province of Goritz, Istria, and the Dalmatian Islands. Austria is willing to grant territory, including Lake Garda (on the Alpine border of Italy), the, town, river, and valley of Chiese, and the Adige river, excluding Trent. Austria asks for a large sum as compensation for the renunciation of the territory inhabited by Italians. The difference between Italy’s demands and Austria’s offer is so great that adjustment is unlikely.

AUSTRIA’S WAR MINISTER. DISCUSSES PROPOSED CONCESSION. VON BULOW’S SUGGESTION TURNED DOWN. Times and Sydney Sun Sekvice. (Received 8 a.in.) London, March 18. Rome learns that a council at Count Buriau’s residence at Vienna spiritedly discussed the question of a concession to Italy, and protested * against Von Billow’s suggestion to surrendering Trentino. It was decided that nothing be conceded unless Italy dealt directly with Austria. It was also considered that the concessions to Italy ought to be proportionate to Austria’s territorial gains.