the Triple Alliance, the defensive union of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
             However, on July 28 hostilities broke out between Austria-Hungary and Serbia and since the provisions of the Alliance stipulated that Italy would be informed before any military moves by Austria, San Giuliano announced to the world that Italy would remain neutral because Austria violated the agreement . Under these circumstances Mussolini insisted on absolute neutrality. It is clear that in Mussolini's view Italy had absolutely nothing to gain by aiding Austria's' policy of expansion in the Balkans. Furthermore, one could understand his position because he had long opposed Austria-Hungary as the manifestation of militarism and the oppressor of nationalities, and the idea of helping the enemy could only have been repugnant to him. Th
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