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oztea t1_j26sywy wrote

An outcome that really isn't explored all that much would be Austria-Hungary bribing Italy with land concessions just to stay neutral. Or selling them Trieste for military supplies, and not having to burn all that blood and treasure on the pointless Italian front could have given Austria-Hungary a lifeline for a few more months so they could pick up slack for Germany on the Russian front, and Germany might have gotten to Paris.

Really, with the power of hindsight I bet the central powers would have rather just conceded the ground to Italy if they could have shut down one whole front.

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Corn_Vendor t1_j28936n wrote

Negotiations between Rome the Central powers did continue even after the London Treaty was almost secured, but Vienna’s reluctance lead to their failure. Despite Germany supporting Italy’s demands, Austria initially completely refused any concession, going by the rule that any territorial grant on a national basis would lead to the collapse of the Empire. Demands included Trentino and an extension of the eastern Italian border on the Isonzo river, along with an autonomous status for Trieste. As time went on, Vienna gradually came to reluctantly accept these demands, but by then Italy had already signed the London Treaty.

So yeah, not really an absurd scenario if Austria had more hindsight.

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warnie685 t1_j28fp0s wrote

The Austrians were opposed to territorial concessions the same way the Germans were when it was suggested Alsace-Lorraine could be given to the French.

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TheCaspica t1_j27acvk wrote

Territory was very precious so I'm not sure it's a "real" alternative but it's obviously an interesting option in hindsight.

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