As the demand was not complied with, Britain formally declared war against Germany.
Italy at that time was joined with Germany and Austria in what was known as the Triple Alliance.

But Italy recognized the fact that the war was one of aggression and held that it was not bound by its compact to assist its allies.

The sympathies of its people were with the French and British.

Afterwards Italy repudiated entirely its alliance and all obligations to Germany and Austria and entered the war on the side of the allies.

Thus the country of Mazzini, of Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel, ranged itself on the side of emancipation and human rights.
The refusal of Italy to enter a war of conquest was the first event to set the balance of the world seriously thinking of the meaning of the war.