Could Austria-Hungary achieve this result and thus weaken both of its irredentist enemies? Or, despite their respective ambitions over Albania, would the Serbs and Italians be careful enough to avoid such a trap?
If Austria-Hungary could get Serbia to start the war on Italy prior to 1914, then wouldn't Austria-Hungary have the right to come to Italy's aid via the Triple Alliance? Would that not possibly lead to Austria-Hungary then gaining the legitimate right to attack the Serbs and possibly take more land form them?Could Austria-Hungary achieve this result and thus weaken both of its irredentist enemies? Or, despite their respective ambitions over Albania, would the Serbs and Italians be careful enough to avoid such a trap?
If Austria-Hungary could get Serbia to start the war on Italy prior to 1914, then wouldn't Austria-Hungary have the right to come to Italy's aid via the Triple Alliance? Would that not possibly lead to Austria-Hungary then gaining the legitimate right to attack the Serbs and possibly take more land form them?
Impossible. Even if Austria-Hungary somehow influenced Italy and Serbia to focus more of their attention onto Albania (and this is hard enough - Vienna was not even remotely liked or trusted in either country), the end result would not be war. More likely Italy and Serbia would agree to split Albania between their spheres. And, if push comes to shove, Serbia would not go to war with Italy - not even if it means leaving 90-100% of Albania in Italy's hands.
methinks you underestimate the Italian appetite.