The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-17
aY ALICE ROBE.


lStaf Correspondent United Press)
ROME. Nov. 23.-(By Mail to New
York)-The homely "Song OF the
shirt" has become today symbolical OF
ltaly--land OF melody. II is not In
the houses OF the poor that this
stitch, stitch. stitch from morning
till night has become the watchword.
The click OF the knitting needles.
the hum of the sewing machine, the
snip OF scissors are heard In the grand
salons OF the aristocratic and the no
bility with a significance which indi-
Gates but one thing-Italy's ultimate
participation In the great European
war
| Italys women have given evidence
OF this expected entrance into the
field OF battle In the near future.
While :Italy's new cabinet. under Pre-
mier Salardra, is steadily advancing
toward the recognized and inevitable
participation, the women are forming
a pbalanx OF their own--arousing
every stratum of society to action.
The Duchess d. Aquanina Carcciolo
has accepted the presidency OF COM
mittee OF aristocrauc women openly
calling all women OF Italy to come to
the aid OF their country's soldiers,
with the indispensable help OF warm
clothing.
The very class OF supplies demand
ed is significant of Italy's planned en-
trance into the war drama. For II
portends battle in the north In Trieste
and Trent. Indeed, the winter sup
plies sound q significant note. The
women OF italy. high and low. are
knitting scarfs, heavy socks, helmets.
cutting and sewing heavy wooden
shirts. and underwear. demonstrating
conclusively the fact that the army Is
being prepared for war In the noun
tains Of northern Italy. where II Is very
cold.
The present social season, which Is
on the eve OF opening, has given indi-
cations already Of its tendencies. Dan
SAINTS, as benefits for raising funds to-
ward this preparation for war, are be-
ing planned All OF the salons OF the
white aristocracy" will be opened 10
this end.
What was predicted "a dull so
cial season will undoubtedly be ami
mated even II not joyous. owing to
this sinister shadow OF war looming
ominously as a goad toward tmmedf
ate activity.
The government has prohibited ex-
portation of gauze and all cotton
stun suitable for bandages. This ma
terial IL utilized by the women In
their work today-as we'll as the sup
plies OF woolens. AS a. result OF the
ippen entry OF the Italian women into
the field OF labor for their own sol
diers, all similar efforts for nations al
ready at war are being discouraged.
As IL characteristic OF all undertak-
ings where pocketbooks must be open
ed, Americans are being called to the
aid OF Italy. In the hotels frequented
by Americans II Is a common sight TO
see women sitting in groups after
luncheon OF dinner busily knitting.
Great interest has been shown among
American and English citizens OF
Rome In aiding Belgium and Servia,
but an earnest plea has been made
10 turn these supplies from the two
warning countries TO Italy. Cards are
sent out, personal visits made and
many eficacious ways are devised to
get charitably inclined Americans to
work for Italy. And although the war
has caused generous exodus from
Italy, there are many Americans Tor
whom even the terrors OF war are not
strong enough 10 deprive'them Of their
accustomed winters in Rome and Flor
ence.
The work OF English and American
women in behalf OF SerYia has met
with a significant setback. Not that
! Italy looks with disfavor upon this
work. but the needs OF the country
itself in an hour when gauze and ban
dage material ~ at premium. have
called forth decisive action In regard
! to prohibited sales. Whatever sup
plies go 10 warning countries have
been purchased secretly and privately
by women DESTROYS OF aiding the suf-
fering Servians.
In Rome. especially. is, women's
work at fever heat. And the ardent
ladies of the nobility and the aristoc'
racv do not hesitate TO descend from
their heights TO beg the aid OF any
foreigners who fall beneath their
gaze. Nothing is discussed in social
circles with the same vivacity as this