ITALY'S DETERMINATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1916, Page 4

ITALY'S DETERMINATION.

READY FOR ANY SACRIFICE CNITY OF THE ALLIES BARON SOXNINO'S DECLARATION A striking speech delivered by Baron Sonnino, Italiau Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the Chamber of Deputies Oil December 1 has been translated by the Italian Consul for Australasia. Afte* referring to the events which led to Italy's entry into the war on the side of the Allies, Boron Sonnino said:— "The effective contribution of the Italian arms to the common cause is recognised by all. From the commencement of our war the formidable pressure of the Italian army, rushing fbrward to the conquest of the natural boundaries of Italy, has been felt by the enemy. And the efficiency of our military cooperation appeared more manifest when, in September last, Austria found herself compelled to hurriedly transport considerable contingents towards the Alps from Galicia, whereby there wf.3 rendered possible in that sector the victorious 5-us»ian counter-offensive. And this uniteu work carried on for several months,, in war, as in negotiations, has persuaded us of the necessity of giving a, public and solemn attestation of the solidarity existing amongst the Allies, by means of a comorf" declaration of the five Powers, renewing that agreed-upon between France, England and Russia on September 5, 1914, and in which Japan* afterwards joined. The formal act ot our adhesion has already been signed in London. "The political and economic independence of Servia has always been one of the pivots of Italian policy in the Balkans. It responds to a vital necessity of the very existence of Italy as a great Power. The political and economical absorption of Servia by Austria-Hungary would represent a grave and constant danger to Italy, raising at the same time an insuperable barrier to our eoonora's expansion on the opposite shore of tin Adriatic. "The Green Book, which I had the honor to present to Parliament in May last, makes known our action for the defence of Servia even before our entrv into the war. By agreement with our Allies we regard as an indispensable,*™ of this war the restoration of the heroic Servian people to their independence As soon as possible, therefore, we will do all in our power to give help to the army of King Peter, assuring, in accord i with the Alliea, their provisioning and equipment, and facilitating their concern tration, awaiting the arrival of the moment when the fight will be renewed. "The presence of our flag on the opposite shore of the Adriatic will serv« also to reaffirm the traditional poliejr of Italy in regard to Albania, which represents now, as in the past, an interest of the first importance to us, inasmuch as her destiny is intimate) v bourn? up with the settlement of the Adriatic. It is of the utmost importance to Jtaly that the independence of the Albanian people should be maintained. "The strategic defence of the constitutes another pivot of our political action. It is for Italy a necessity of life, an absolute necessity of legitimate defence to obtain a settlement of the Adriatic which may compensate for the unfavorable configuration of our eastern littoral. Finally, the Government haa greatly at heart the jealous guardianship of our vital Mediterranean intereats. "I close my speech by proclaiming once again that Italy is fi'rmlv resolved to bravely carry forward the'war with all her power and at any sacrifice."