The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1915. ITALY'S ATTITUDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 227, 4 March 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1915. ITALY'S ATTITUDE.

It can truly be said that the Triple Alliance is still in existence, and until Italy declares war against Austria the alliance will still hold good. But today, Turkey is making the third partner with Germany and Austria, thus providing another good reason why Italy should break away from her half-hearted allegiance and join hands against her one-time allies. Much has happened since the, outbreak of the present war to affect Italy's position, but unquestionably the chief factor that is operating on the Italian people at the present time is the knowledge that the time lias come to obtain her natural borders, not as an act of charity ; but as a right enforced at the point of the sword. In spite of all the strenuous cajolery of Prince Buelow, backed up with an imposing array of armed forces on the frontier, the most that Germany can claim is that Italy is impressed. In carrying out a campaign of deception in Italy it is evident that Germany met with a greater success than in America and other places. Sin? apparently forgot that it had recently been shown by means of meetings throughout Italy that the people have decided the day lias come when the cause for which Guglielmo Oberdan gave his life thirty-two years ago has become the cause of the nation—the hour for the redemption of Trent and Trieste has arrived. The country insists on war witji lAustria, and the re-vindication of her rights. The blood of thousands of martyrs calls for revenge from the provinces across the border. Italian patriots .are well aware that already in the Trentino »9 per cent, of the available manhood has been forced into the Austrian army to fight for a flag they detest, while in Dalmatia and Istria scores of women and children have been hurried oIT to prison as hostages for the good behaviour of the provinces. These and other outrages on Italian pride and love of country can hardly be expected to attract the people to spend their lives and treasure for the oppressors, but it cannot he wondered at if they seize the opportunity to go to war against Austria, and it is quite evident that a million ov so of trained ami well equipped Italian troops marched into Austria at the present juncture would prove the final straw for Austria and render the re-conquest of Italian country cnmpnrtivcly easy. Since Hie days of Au'i'U'tus conand politician has recognised the feet

that the natural borders of Italy include the Veiezia Triatentina and the Venezia Giulia with a population of liall a million Italians, now in the hands of Austria. With the' higher Adige in ilie hands of ;'tsl» Austrians, Milan, Brescia, and Venicfl' are at their m e rcy. The I'rentino andil&tria arc, from fie strategical point of- view, an absolute necessity for Italy; and if in the last thirrylive years. site has not been attacked in that quarter; it is due only to the existence, off the Triple Alliance. Italians of all classes, including the neutralists, agjcee in thinking that, the war was a war- of aggression on the part of the Central Powers, but the neutralists think t)i* country should not intervene, because- a certain portion of her claims and aspirations can be satisfied without' fighting-. The interventionists, on the other hand, claim that Italy cannot accept presents without losing her moral prestige. These are in the great majority,, and voice the sentiments of th© people, Germany's coup in calling Turkey to her aid has also had a great moral effect in breaking down her caaisc. With Germany, .Austria and Turkey victorious, all the fruits of the Libyan campaign would be lost, and Italy would for ever remain under the thumb of the Triple Alliance, if indeed, she did not have to yield up some of her own provinces to satisfy the claims of the Kaiser. The efficiency of the army and navy is already very high, and by the, spring every, deficiency will have been remedied. The defects have hitherto been a lad; of stores, aeroplanes and heavy artillery, insufficient twining and organisation of her second line, and much conservatism in regard to promotion of officers. That Italy is preparing is shown by the fact that forty-four millions-have been voted for extraordinary expenditure on the army and navy, in addition to the ordiiu ary estimates for the year. An abundance of supplies is being collected, and elaborate plans are being detailed to meet every emergency. It i a sa i d that by the spring the army will possess a quantity of heavy artillery that will I'e equipped throughout with a new field gun. A reorganisation of the commands apportions responsible posts to the younger officers, and in the course of two months over a million ,men will have received a recent training, a quarter of them having seen active service •n Tripoli. It is, therefore, not only the appeal of Oberdan winch will call her to war this spring, but her own existence as a Mediterranean Pffwer in the Adriatic, and with her when she fights "'ill bo Roumania and Bulgaria. These are the results which "every true Ital ian hopes that 1915 ,will bring f or hls country.