Following a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, the official announcement of a state of war between Italy and Germany was made. A statement giving the reasons for the action of the Italian government also was given out by Baron Sonnino, Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is in the form of a communication to Switzerland, a neutral, and was transmitted through the Italian minister at Rome. It says:
"The hostile acts of Germany toward Italy have become more frequent. Suffice it to mention that they are persistent military aid rendered to Austria and the constant participation of German officers, soldiers, and sailors in the war against Italy.
"Owing to German help, Austria-Hungary was enabled to concentrate her maximum effort against Italy. Germany gave up Italian prisoners who had escaped from Austrian concentration camps into German territory. The imperial government instructed the banks to consider Italians as enemies, stopping payments, and also stopping pensions due Italian workmen, violating the law openly and revealing systematic hostility.
"This state of things was intolerable, aggravating, and wholly to Italy's detriment, the situation resulting from the fact that Italy and Germany are a unit to different groups of states at war.
"For these reasons, the Italian government declared, in the name of the King, that Italy considers herself in a state of war with Germany as from August 25, requesting the Swiss government to inform Germany."
WILLIAMSON IS IN VICTORY
OVER TO BEING
The announcement of war with Germany had the most cheering effect possible on the people.  Great crowds formed in the streets immediately the news became public, and processions were started in many sections of Rome. Reports from the provincial cities tell of equal rejoicing throughout the nation. 