Alliance of Romania with Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy
Government of Austria-Hungary and of the Imperial Govern-
ment of Germany.
Rome, May 22, 1882.
The Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs.
L.S. Mancini.
Declaration of Austria-Hungary similar to
the Italian one. Vienna, May 28, 1882.
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION.
The Imperial and Royal Government declares that the provi-
sions of the secret Treaty concluded May 20, 1882, between Aus-
tria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy, cannot as has been previ-
ously agreed, in any case be regarded as being directed against
England.
In witness whereof the present ministerial Declaration,
which equally must remain secret, has been drawn up to be
exchanged against identic Declarations of the Imperial Govern-
ment of Germany and of the Royal Government of Italy.
The Imperial and Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Vienna, May 28, 1882.
Declaration of Germany similar to the Italian
one. Berlin, May 28, 1882.
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION
The Imperial Government declares that the provisions of the
secret Treaty concluded May 20, 1882, between Germany, Aus-
tria-Hungary, and Italy, cannot, as has been previously agreed,
in any case be regarded as being directed against England.
In witness whereof the present ministerial Declaration,
which equally must remain secret, has been drawn up to be
exchanged against identic Declarations of the Imperial and
Royal Government of Austria-Hungary and of the Royal Gov-
ernment of Italy.
Berlin, May 28, 1882.
The Chancellor of the Empire.
L.S. v. Bismarck.
3.1196 Alliance of Romania with Austria-Hun-
gary, Germany, and Italy
Alliance Members:Romania, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy
Signed On:October 30, 1883, in the city of Vienna. In force until May
23, 1915, for Italy and until August 16, 1916, for Romania, when each
state entered World War I against Austria-Hungary and Germany. The
alliance ends with the defeat of the Central Powers on November 3, 1918.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:The Secret Treaties of Austria–Hungary 1879-1914,vol. 1, p. 79.
Additional Citations:Key Treaties for the Great Powers, 1814–1914,
vol. 2, p. 630.
SUMMARY
Romania formally entered the sphere of the Central Powers in the
terms of the First Romanian Treaty, signed in 1883, which linked her
to Austria-Hungary and Italy in a defense pact intended to last five
years. Incorporating Romania into the German-led block continued
the process of reactive alliance building and balancing on what would
eventually represent opposing sides in World War I.
The alliance would be renewed periodically in the run-up to the First
World War, when its terms would be used to bring Romania into hos-
tilities, although by that time Italy was no longer a signatory. The end
of the war also brought an end to the need for the alliance.Alliance Text
His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc.,
Apostolic King of Hungary, and
His Majesty the King of Rumania, animated by an equal
desire to maintain the general peace, in conformity with the
aim pursued by the Austro-Hungarian and German Alliance,
to assure the political order, and to guarantee against all even-
tualities the perfect friendship which binds Them together,
have determined to conclude to this end a Treaty which by its
essentially conservative and defensive nature pursues only the
aim of forestalling the dangers which might menace the peace
of Their States.
For this purpose Their said Majesties have named as Their
Plenipotentiaries, to wit:
His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc.,
and Apostolic King of Hungary: the Sieur Gustavus Kálnoky of
Körös-Patak, Chamberlain and Actual Privy Councillor, His
Minister of the Imperial Household and of Foreign Affairs,
General in His Armies,
His Majesty the King of Rumania: the Sieur Demetrius A.
Stourdza, His Minister of Foreign Affairs, who, after having
communicated to each other their full powers, found in good
and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles:
Article I. The High Contracting Parties promise one another
peace and friendship, and will enter into no alliance or engage-
ment directed against any one of their States. They engage to
follow a friendly policy and to lend one another mutual support
within the limits of their interests.
Article 2. If Rumania, without any provocation on her part,
should be attacked, Austria-Hungary is bound to bring her in
ample time help and assistance against the aggressor. If Austria-
Hungary be attacked under the same circumstances in a portion
of her states bordering on Rumania, the casus foederiswill
immediately arise for the latter.
Article 3. If one of the High Contracting Parties should find
itself threatened by an aggression under the abovementioned
conditions, the respective Governments shall put themselves in
agreement as to the measures to be taken with a view to coöper-
ation of their armies. These military questions, especially that of
the unity of operations and of passage through the respective
territories, shall be regulated by a military convention.