A bound, neutral Italy is sorely tempted by the appeal of Trieste. Trentino (the south Tyrol) and Trieste were chief among the war aims of those Italians who wanted to discard neutrality to war on Austria-Hungary. A postcard by V. Retrosi.
La Danza del DesiderioThe Dance of DesireV. RetrosiNeutralitaTriesteReverse:Logo: Shamrock in a circle MT&C; 124
The Kingdom of Italy, the third and wobbly leg of the Triple Alliance, still recovering from its 1913 war against the Turkey to seize what became Libya in north Africa, declared its neutrality in the summer of 1914 because Austria-Hungary's war against Serbia was not defensive. It made public is declaration of neutrality on August 3, 1914.Italy had wrested its independence from Austria-Hungary in the nineteenth century, but had claims on further territory including Trentino and Alto Adige and Trieste with their large Italian-speaking populations.Although there was strong neutralist sentiment in Italy, many, including the writer Gabriele D'Annuzio, called for Italy to war on Austria-Hungary. On April 26, 1915, Italy signed the Pact of London with Britain, Russia and France, agreeing to enter the war against the Central Powers by May 26 in exchange for a promise of territories and a loan of £50 million. On May 20, 1915, Parliament voted for war, and on May 21, the Senate followed. Mobilization was ordered for May 22. On May 23, Italy sent an ultimatum sent to Austria-Hungary / declared war on Austria-Hungary, and in August, 1915, declared war on the Ottoman Empire. On October 19, 1915, Italy declared war on Bulgaria which had just joined the Central Powers in their invasion of Serbia. Italy finally declared war on Germany on August 28, 1916.Italy began the war with 35 divisions. By the end of 1916 there were 48 and one and a half million men at the front.
Kingdom of Italy is a country in Europe.
