Bkimberl at 21:21, 30 June 2009

2009-06-30T21:21:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:21, 30 June 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	<p align="right">
		+	[[Main_Page \| WWI Document Archive ]] > [[1914 Documents]] > '''Giolitti's Justification of Italian Neutrality'''
		+	</p><hr>
		+
	Great Britain, <I>Collected Diplomatic Correspondence</I>, London, 1915, p.		Great Britain, <I>Collected Diplomatic Correspondence</I>, London, 1915, p.
	401.<br>		401.<br>
Line 42:		Line 46:
	observances of her pledges. [<I>Loud applause.</I>]		observances of her pledges. [<I>Loud applause.</I>]
	<hr>		<hr>
−	<~~center~~>~~Return to '''~~[[1914 Documents]]'''</center>	+	<p align="right">
		+	[[Main_Page \| WWI Document Archive ]] > [[1914 Documents]] > '''Giolitti's Justification of Italian Neutrality'''
		+	</p><hr>
		+	<center></center>

Hirgen at 18:44, 6 February 2007

2007-02-06T18:44:01Z

New page

Great Britain, Collected Diplomatic Correspondence, London, 1915, p.
401. 
Ex-Premier of Italy, Giovanni Giolitti, gave the following speech before
the Italian Parliament, meant to justify Italy's neutrality. Signor Giolitti
became Italian Premier, for the fifth time, on June 15, 1920.
<hr>

During the Balkan war, on the 9th of August, about a year before the
present war broke out, during my absence from Rome, I received from my
hon. colleague, Signor di San Giuliano, the following telegram: 
<blockquote>Austria has communicated to us and to Germany her intention
of taking action against Serbia, and defines such action as
defensive, hoping to bring into operation the casus foederis
of the Triple Alliance, which, on the contrary, I believe to be
inapplicable. [Sensation.] 

I am endeavoring to arrange for a combined effort with Germany
to prevent such action on the part of Austria, but it may become
necessary to state clearly that we do not consider such action,
if it should be taken, as defensive, and that, therefore, we do
not consider that the casus foederis arises. Please
telegraph to me at Rome if you approve. </blockquote>
I replied: 
<blockquote>If Austria intervenes against Serbia, it is clear that a
casus foederis cannot be established. It is a step which
she is taking on her own account, since there is no question of
defence, inasmuch as no one is thinking of attacking her. It is
necessary that a declaration to this effect should be made to
Austria in the most formal manner, and we must hope for action on
the part of Germany to dissuade Austria from this most perilous
adventure. [Hear, hear!] </blockquote>

This course was taken, and our interpretation was upheld and recognised as
proper, since our action in no way disturbed our relations with the two
Allied Powers. The declaration of neutrality made by the present
Government conforms therefore in all respects to the procedures of
Italian policy, and conforms also to an interpretation of the Treaty of
Alliance which has been already accepted by the Allies. 

I wish to recall this, because I think it is right that in the eyes of all
Europe it should appear that Italy has remained completely loyal to the
observances of her pledges. [Loud applause.]
<hr>
<center>Return to '''[[1914 Documents]]'''</center>

Giolitti's Justification of Italian Neutrality - Revision history

Bkimberl at 21:21, 30 June 2009

Hirgen at 18:44, 6 February 2007