Show ITALY FORMALLY DECLARES WAR KING SIGNS DECREE WHICH BRINGS THE ELEVENTH NATION INTO WORLD WAR all austrian and german ships in italian harb ors have been ordered confiscated by royal decree clash on frontier rome italy has formally declared war against austria hungary the decree which brings the eleventh nation into the war was signed by king victor emmanuel at 2 hernoon ter noon may 23 A declaration of war by germany against italy is expected baron von macchio Mac chlo the austrian ambassador was handed banded his passport the due davanna dA varna italian ambassador at vienna has been recalled prince von buelow has been ordered by chancellor von bethmann hollweg to leave italy immediately as germany has decided to support her ally austria the first clash between italian and austrian troops occurred at forcellini dl di Mon soon after the declaration of hostilities had been signed an austrian patrol crossed the border in a pass between pont font di lego and pejo bejo and was driven back by italian alpine chass eurs with slight losses all austrian and german r ships hips in italian harbors have been ordered con fisca risca ted by a royal decree issued surf sun day immense bodies of troops are massed on both sides of the border it is reported here that austro germans are concentrated and ready to cross the frontier an enemy torpedo fleet is crusing off cattaro more than men fully cully equipped with arms arins and ammunition it is expected will be put into the field within a month because of the work of preparation that has been going on for the past few weeks bobi libation liza tion is going forward rapidly the regimental depots have been crowded since sunday morning by reservists who have been expecting a call to arms since thursday the calmness and cheerfulness of the reservists and their famil eis els completely belie the temperamental excitement which is supposed to be an italian characteristic and affords proof of the popularity of the war spirit the entrance of italy into the world war which began last august brings the number of states engaged in the conflict up to eleven italy allied with germany and austria hungary since 1882 in the triple alliance was called upon last summer shortly after the assassination of the austrian 7 crown prince at Sara bosnia besnia to support the germanic empires she declined and there began a series ot of diplomatic negotiations which soon resolved themselves into efforts on the part of germany and austria hungary to in buce italy to remain neutral one gibat purpose of italy in entering the war is to gain possession of unredeemed italy a sweep of austrian territory to the north and east near the head of the adriatic sea this region which includes trent tren tand and trieste is italian in all but nationality to attain it has long been her cherished chen shed ambition italis total war strength including resources of all kinds is figured at about men |