In the capital of Italy, Rome, despite the outbreak of war, life appeared untouched by the turmoil. As a member of the Central Powers, Italy maintained its neutrality while Germany and Austria-Hungary faced the Allies in a life-and-death struggle. The Italian populace seemed to perceive the war as a distant affair.
Some Italians expressed confusion over their nation's reluctance to uphold its alliance and declare war on the Allies, yet the majority supported the cabinet's decision. For Italy, joining the Central Powers had initially been a means to seek support and foster development. Now, the prospect of engaging in such a dire conflict necessitated careful deliberation. After all, a defeat could bear severe consequences.
King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy prided himself on being a wise and valiant ruler, intent on restoring the glory of the ancient Roman Empire. In recent years, Italy had indeed been striving towards this ambition, seeking expansion in the Balkans and North Africa. While the weakening of the Ottoman Empire had allowed successful incursions into North Africa, expansion into the Balkans met formidable obstacles. Austria-Hungary, a fellow Central Power, was also vying for influence in the region, holding considerable advantage that hindered Italy's aspirations.
During the era of ancient Rome, the mighty Roman Empire dominated the entire Mediterranean, turning it into its own vast bath. The modern Italian state sought to follow this trajectory, yet the difficulty of achieving such a goal was undeniably high.
This world war was seen by the Italians as a prime opportunity to fulfill their ambitions. Missing this chance might delay Italy's revival indefinitely. Hence, their continued neutrality aimed at seeking the most favorable terms.
"Prime Minister, the situation is becoming increasingly ambiguous. What should Italy's stance be in this war? We cannot remain neutral indefinitely; otherwise, we will miss out on the spoils of war. Moreover, the Germans are adopting a firmer stance, leaving us little time to decide," King Vittorio Emanuele III expressed, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Your Majesty, the current landscape is indeed complex. Germany maintains an advantage in this conflict, yet the Allies are not easily subdued; they are gradually reversing the tide. It may take a considerable time before the outcome becomes clear," replied Prime Minister Antonio Salandra.
"Which side should we ultimately join in battle?" Vittorio Emanuele III questioned, troubled by this persistent dilemma. He wished for Italy to align with the victors, enabling the nation to share in the triumph rather than suffer repercussions for choosing poorly. Yet, amidst such a precarious situation, making the right choice was exceedingly challenging.
"Your Majesty, given the current uncertainty, we may need to wait a while longer to make a decision advantageous for Italy," stated Foreign Minister Paolo Boselli.
"Indeed, Your Majesty, a brief delay would be prudent," concurred the Minister of War.
"From what we observe, the German army has secured two significant victories on the Eastern Front, inflicting severe losses on the Russians, thus establishing considerable superiority there. However, Russian mobilization is nearing completion, and they will soon deploy more forces to the front. Whether the Germans can withstand this remains uncertain. Moreover, Austria-Hungary's performance on the Eastern Front has been lackluster, suffering considerable losses. If the Russians were to reallocate a corps northward at a critical juncture, Austria-Hungary might fail to hold the Carpathians, jeopardizing their position if the Russians breach the Hungarian plains. Furthermore, Austria-Hungary has gained little ground on the Southern Front, struggling even against smaller nations like Serbia, which is quite embarrassing for a great power," the Minister of the Army remarked disdainfully.
"On the Western Front, although the Germans still hold an advantage, that advantage is steadily eroding. Their inability to decisively crush the British and French forces at the Marne has cost them the chance to swiftly defeat France, potentially leading to a protracted conflict. Should it come to a war of attrition, the Germans may not fare well against the combined British and French efforts," the Army Minister continued, his skepticism toward Germany apparent.
"Let us not forget that the German navy enjoys dominance in the Atlantic," interjected the Navy Minister.
"Even if the German navy temporarily holds an advantage, what of it? The depth of the British navy far surpasses that of the newly affluent German fleet. The outcome of one or two naval battles cannot determine the overall victor. It is still too early to declare who will prevail in future naval engagements," the Army Minister countered.
"Are you suggesting that our chances would be better if we sided with the Allies?" Vittorio Emanuele III inquired.
"From the current perspective, it seems that the Allies have a slightly greater chance of victory. However, the decision on which side to join will depend on which party can offer us greater benefits and the further evolution of the conflict," Prime Minister Antonio Salandra replied.
The other ministers of the Italian kingdom nodded in agreement, sharing the belief that making a decision at this juncture would be premature, as the incentives from both sides were insufficient to compel Italy to commit.
Seemingly in accord with this view, Vittorio Emanuele III declared, "Very well, then let us postpone our decision! The restoration of the glory of the Roman Empire hinges upon this moment!"