Throughout the year 1917 Bissolati was helping to make these ideas familiar in Italy, and in 1918 he endeavoured to get them accepted by the Cabinet, by Orlando, and Sonnino. He thus contributed directly and indirectly to the success of our efforts in Italy, and finally, in September 1918, he caused the Italian Government to issue its proclamation in favour of the unification of the Jugoslavs, although he did not manage to overcome Sonnino’s opposition to withdrawal from the London Agreement and to a new convention with the Jugoslavs.
I do not propose to discuss here further details of Italian policy and diplomacy during the war, the disputes on Greek questions and Albania, on Asia Minor, on the unified front, and what was known as the “Italian” War. Nor do I propose to refer to the struggles in Italy concerning the Jugoslavs. I will mention only what is essential for the understanding of the relations of Italy towards our cause. There is one important fact to add. Throughout the war Italy was, in a certain sense, isolated with regard to the other Allies. They regarded Germany as the chief opponent, while for Italy it was Vienna and Budapest who occupied that position. Up till April 1918 the rest of the Allies believed that it was possible to separate Austria-Hungary from Germany, and they would certainly have concluded peace with the Habsburg Empire if the opportunity had presented itself. Here was the fundamental divergence in the views and interests of both camps. In this respect we were closer to Italy than to the other Allies.
We regarded Italy as a decisive power, and it is my duty to state plainly that she rendered us extremely valuable services in the struggle against a premature or separate peace with Austria-Hungary. It was none other than Sonnino who, by his opinion and character, became the advocate of this policy directed against a premature peace with Vienna, and by this very fact he deserves our gratitude in bringing about the break-up of Austria-Hungary and the liberation of our people. I am glad to place this on record, even though it came about, not through any theoretical sympathies for us or other oppressed nations, but because our vital interests in this matter coincided with those of Italy during the war. It must, of course, be added that the efforts of our nation always had a sincere and friendly reception from the Italian public and from the Government.
