Neutral Nations.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 262, 15 April 1915, Page 5

Neutral Nations.

ITALY. FRENCH EX-MINISTER'S MISSION. TENSION WITH AUSTRIA GROWING. ITALY LIKELY TO INTERVENE. Rome, April 13. A feeling exists that the mission of M. Hanotaux, French, ex-Jjinistcr of Foreign Affairs, to Italy, is to open negotiations with the object of arranging an • understanding 'between France and the Holy See. This is considered necessary owing to the Russian successes. The Vatican hopes, through France, to bring pressure to bear on Russia with regard to tliu treatment of Polish Roman Catholics.

Another question attracting the attention of the llolv See is the minor that Russia will not rest satisfied with Constantinople' but will claim possession of the Holy Land. The Giormile il'ltalia warns Italians against the manoeuvres of the belligerent nations who are aiming at emphasising the possibility of a separate peace 'Between Austria and Russia with the view of hastening the intervention of neutrals, through fear of being late. It says that the forces of the belligerents are not yet so unequal that either is likely to lose the hope of triumph or the ending of the war with decorum. An Austrian rebellion against Berlin will be incredible, because it would cause Austria to lose her German provinces, which were already considered by Germany as natural appendages to Bavaria.

London, April 13. The tension between Austria and Italy is growing. ; The prefect of Trieste has prepared a proclamation, exhorting the inhabitants of Julian Venetia district to remain calm, as the. enemy is on the point of occupying it and the Austrian administration will be abandoned. He adds that the occupation will be brief. The Gazette del Popolo says the present indications are ninety-nine chances in a hundred that Italy intervenes.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST BOMBARDMENT. Paris April 13., Le Temps states that advice has I)een received from Venice that the authorities are removing art treasures to Florence as a precaution against an Austrian bombardment. AMERICA. BERNSTORFF'S MEMORANDUM CONDEMNED. New York, April 13. The Sun says there never proceeded from any embassy or legation a more offensive or arrogant document than Count Hornstorff's memorandum, which he handed to t!ie newspapers. STRAINED RELATIONS WITH GERMANY. London, April 13. Washington reports great uneasiness in consequence of the increasingly strained relations with Germany. There is much indignation at the deliberately premature German publication of the Note complaining of America's nonneutral bias in favor of the Allies. PEACE PROPOSALS, Washington, April 13. The President guardedly informed White House callers that the Pope had offered to co-operate rwith the United States with the oliject of securing European peace. The. work of the peace 'delegates now in session at The Hague was, however, unofficial. Mi\ Wilson refused to say what the prospects of peace were.

NO MESSAGE FROM THE POPE. Reeived April 14, 10.35 p.m. Washington, April 14. President Wilson states tht he has received no formal communications from tin l Pone regarding peace, and there is no truth in the statement that the United States is aware, officially or unofficially, of any terms of peace that might be made. A NEW EDISON MARVEL. STORAGE BATTERY FOR SUBMARINES. Received April 14, 10.50 p.m. New York, April 14. Mr. Edison announces a new submarine storage battery, enabling a submarine to remain for ten days submerged without danger of the chlorine poisoning the crew. The battery gives an underwater range of 150 miles.