File No. 763.72/1758

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

273. Salandra’s ministry resigned suddenly last evening. Last Prime Minister Giolitti who has majority in Chamber holds that Austria concedes or will concede sufficient to obviate necessity of war with attendant sacrifices. It is rumored that Sonnino, Minister for Foreign Affairs, whom Giolitti strongly opposed, was more in favor of war than Salandra. Giolitti’s antiwar policy seems to dominate for the present. Some excitement exists and morning paper even [suggests] possibility of revolution.

Nelson Page