submit to its associates all matters which might involve the
possibility of joint cooperation. Even if this had not been written
in the very terms of the Alliance, it would follow as a necessary
implication, for when each member obligated itself to cooperate
with its allies in any attack upon either of them, but not in any
_aggressive_ war, it necessarily followed that each ally had the right
to the fullest information as to any controversy which might involve
such action, so that it might determine whether it fell within the
terms of the obligation.

Neither the German nor the Austrian Foreign Office have ever submitted
any documentary proof that they discharged this obligation to their
ally and it may be added they have never pretended that they did so.

If further proof were needed, we find in the French _Yellow Book_ a
report from the French Minister at Rome to his Foreign Office, under
date July the 27th, reporting a conversation between the French
Minister and the Italian Foreign Minister, the Marquis di San
Giuliano, on that day, in which the latter spoke of the

contents of the Austrian note, _and assured me that he had
had no previous knowledge of them whatever_.

He was well aware that the note was to be vigorous and
energetic in character, but he had no idea that it could
take such a form. I asked him if it was true, as is stated
in certain newspapers, that in this connection he had
expressed in Vienna approval of Austrian action, and had
given the assurance that Italy would fulfill her duties as
an ally towards Austria. He replied, "_In no way have we
been consulted; we have been told nothing whatever._ We have
therefore had no reason to make any communication of this
nature in Vienna."[44]

[Footnote 44: French _Yellow Book_, No. 72.]

The reason for this secrecy is not far to seek. Almost a year before
the Archduke's death, Austria had sounded Italy as to its willingness
to acquiesce or participate in a war by Austria against Servia, and
Italy had refused. For this reason and also because an Austrian war
against Servia was not to the interests of Italy, Austria and Germany
both recognized, without even consulting their ally, that they could
not count upon its cooperation in such a war. To submit their proposed
action to Italy was to invite a deliberate expression of disapproval,
and this would make it more difficult for them to demand its