The Italian Government put forward the question of the islands for the
first time in April 11, 1915. There had been no previous discussion,
passionate or otherwise, as in the case of the Trentino and Triest. But
now they demanded various Dalmatian islands, the chief of which were
Hvar, Kor[vc]ula and Vis, with a total population (in 1910) of 57,954.
The Austro-Hungarian Ambassador reported (cf. Red Book, concerning April
14, p. 133) that a conversation between Baron Sonnino and Prince Buelow
with respect to these islands had been extremely animated, and that
Sonnino had pointed out that the Navy and the whole country expected of
him that he would alter Italy's unfavourable position on the Adriatic,
where from Venice to Taranto she had not one serviceable harbour, that
is to say serviceable war-harbour. And Sonnino added that he thought
this was an opportune moment in which to rectify that state of things.
On April 28 the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, besides drawing the
Italians' attention to the nationality of the islanders--1.62 per cent.
calling themselves Italian--pointed out that not only would there no
longer be any question of a strategic equilibrium in the Adriatic if
Austria were to lose these islands, but that the adjacent coast would
always be threatened. On May 4, the Ambassador asked whether an
arrangement with Italy would be impossible if the Austrians agreed to
every one of Italy's other conditions, showing thereby what the value of
these islands was in Austrian eyes. When Sonnino did not reply to this
question, the Ambassador understood that Italy's participation in the
War had been determined. But on May 10, the Austrian Government made up
its mind to give up Pelagosa "on account of its proximity to the Italian
coast." As a matter of fact it lies 42 miles from Vis and 33 miles from
the nearest point in Apulia. As a strategic base this group of rocks
would have no value, since the water is too deep for the construction of
a harbour, and the sirocco rages with such ferocity that it flings the
foam over the top of the lighthouse, which is 360 feet in height. This
inhospitable place, with its population of 13 human beings, some sheep
and goats, was inhabited in prehistoric days; when the excavations were
being made for the lighthouse a variety of implements from the Stone Age
were discovered, including a stone arrow that was found between the ribs
of a skeleton.... But the Austrian Ambassador let it be known at the
same time that he would be prepared to make a further friendly
examination of the Italian demands with reference to the other islands.
His Government also on May 15 (Red Book, No. 185, p. 181) announced that
they were quite disposed to reopen the discussion. However, on the 23rd
of the month, Italy came into the War. The Italians had been explaining
that if only Austria would give up these islands--which was as if you
were to invite a person whose designs you suspected to come and camp in
the hall of your house--then, said the Italians, there would be an
excellent prospect of permanently amicable relations between the two
States.