The situation in the Balkan states remained unchanged.  It was hoped that the Balkan countries would rally to the support of the Allies, and thus form an iron ring about the Germanic powers, but this matter was no nearer a successful issue than it had been months before.  However, diplomats of both sides were still busy in the Balkans, and each hoped to gain their support.

But for the last few weeks all eyes had been turned toward Italy.  A member of the Austro-German Triple Alliance at the beginning of the war, Italy had refused to support a war of aggression by the Kaiser and had severed her connection with the Alliance.  She had announced that she would remain neutral.

At length, however, matters reached such a pass that Italy realized she must cast her lot with the Allies.  She knew that should the Germans emerge from the war victorious she had all to lose and nothing to gain.  The first act of the successful German army would be to crush her.  Besides, there had always been antagonism between Austria and Italy, and the drawing of Italy into the Triple Alliance in the first place was considered an act of trickery.  Austria and Italy could have nothing in common.

The people of Italy demanded that she throw her military as well as her moral support to the Allies.  The matter had been threshed out in the Chamber of Deputies.  Wild anti-German and anti-Austrian demonstrations were almost daily occurrences in the streets of Rome and other of the larger Italian cities.  The people wanted war.  Here was the one country of all the powers engaged in the mighty conflict that could truthfully say:  “This is a popular war.”

At the instigation of the Kaiser, Austria had agreed to make many concessions to Italy in return for her neutrality.  She agreed to almost anything.  But the Italian government was not fooled.  Austria would yield anything at the present time, and then, with the aid of her powerful ally, Germany, at the close of the war, take it away from Italy again.

So the Italian people and the Italian government decided upon war on the side of the Allies.  Millions of trained fighting men, fresh from the rigors of the recent Turkish war, were ready to take the field at almost a moment’s notice.  The reserves had already been ordered to the colors.  The Italian fleet was ready for action.

There was now no question that Italy would enter the war.  The chief topic of interest was as to where she would strike first.  Would she send an army to join the French and British troops recently landed on the Gallipoli peninsula and a portion of her fleet to help force the Dardanelles, or would she strike first at Austria, and if so, would the first blow be delivered by her fleet in the Adriatic, or to the north, upon the border, and through the Alps?

The Chamber of Deputies had been in continuous session now for almost two days.  It was known that upon the result of this conference hinged the issue, peace or war.  The chamber was still in session, but the Premier had left and sought King Victor Emmanuel at the palace for a consultation.