The European powers and Italy: A diplomatic study of the London Agreement and the entrance of Italy into the World War

On the eve of the World War, Italy, though a member of the Triple Alliance, had arrived at a position of balance between the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. During the crisis of 1914, Italy used Article VII of the treaty of alliance in an effort to secure compensation from Austria-Hungary for her action against Serbia. But when this conflict developed into the World War, Italy declared her neutrality. During August the Entente made an attempt to secure the intervention of Italy. With the Great Powers involved in the war, Italy profited by their preoccupation to seize the island of Saseno and Valona. With the Austrian invasion of Serbia in December, Italy again raised the question of compensation under Article VII. The German Government sent Bulow to Rome to mediate between Italy and Austria-Hungary. On March 9 the Austrian Government accepted the principle of compensation to Italy out of territories belonging to the Monarchy. But the Italian Government, feeling that it would not be possible to realize the national aspirations of Italy through agreement with Austria-Hungary, turned to the Entente. Parallel negotiations were conducted in March and April. With the Entente, Italy was negotiating on the basis of intervention, with the Central Powers, for continued neutrality. The Entente negotiations, despite a conflict of interests between Italy and Russia, were brought to a conclusion with the signing of the Secret Agreement of London, April 26, 1915. On May 4, Italy declared her alliance with Austria at an end. In spite of last minute efforts by Austria-Hungary to hold her neutral, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary on May 23, 1915.