New-York tribune., 1914-12-22
Imports from America and
Exports to Switzerland
More than Double.
AUTOS AND SUGAR
SUDDENLY POPULAR
Nothing Sold to Belligerents, but
Frontiers of Warning Ma
tiOns Are Vague.

shortly after assuming once le"
weeks ago. Premier Salandrs Of Italy,
in addressing the Chamber Of Depu-
ties said:
"Italy's policy OF neutrality IS not
dictated bv sentimentalism, but must
be one Of egoism.'
That italy is one OF the neutral
countries which have benehted.most by
the European war is evidenced by the
remarkable increase Of American eN-
rorts 10 Italy within the last three
months
Secretary Bonaschi OF the Italian
Chamber Of Commerce in New York IS
authority for the statement that IN
stead Of running four steamers
month between New York and Genoa
the Italian steamship companies have
withdrawn every available vessel from
South American commerce and are now
running between twelve and fifteen
steamers a month between America and
Italy
This. Of course. is due 10 the fact
that Italy cannot satisfy her CONNER
cial demands in European markets.
These are practically closed. and, as
South American trade has been pract-
caliy ruined owing 10 England e.
forts TO crush German oversee trade.
the only logical place for Italy TO look
for a market was i'm the United States.
Professor Antoine Colletta, the ltal-
ian lecturer and journalist. who is IN
this country, interpreted the sudden
increase I'M ltaly's imports m a dit
ferent way
"With two Of the largest automobile
factories in the world in Italy, why
should large numbers OF automobile
trucks and accessories be imported
from the United States 10 Italy, he
oueried Labor is much cheaper IN
Italy than it is in the United states,
and these trucks could be purchased
more cheaply in Italy. But soon after
the war a sudden demand arose M
various parts Of Europe for high peed,
powerful automobiles. The Italian fac
tories we're unable 10 satisfy this de
mard, and the importation from neutral
countries resulted.
"It must be remembered that Swift
7crland is conveniently situated be
tween Italy, Germany, Austria and
France I'm some instances SwltZcr-
lands boundaries are so badly defined
that 10 is difficult 20 tell where Italian
territory ends and Switzerland com
mences.
at is still more dificult.to trace the
border line between Switzerland and
the belligerent nations. In the town OF
Constance. for example. half Of the
main street is on Swiss territory. while
the other half belongs to Bavaria.
"The Italian law, recently adopted,
provides that contraDand articles Of
war should not be sent from Italian
territory 70 any Of the belligerent ma
tions Switzerland Is not belhgeren:
nation. Her imports have materially
increased since the beginning Of the
war. What her exports are is dlihcult
70 say.
"It is a fact however. that a large
number Of American automobile trucks
have been imported by Italy and sent
TO Switzerland. What that little re-
public should do with automobiles.
after having complained that her
tourist trade. her chief revenue, is
ruined by the war, is matter Of con-
lecture.
II must be remembered, too. that It
takes only a few hours ride TO eros
switzerland from the Italian boundary
and reach either Germany, Austria or
France.
1t is another important fact that
Italy recently has imported enormous
quantities Of sugar. The fact that
Germany's sugar supply is very I'm,
tied is generally known. Italy could
never consume even a fraction Of the
sugar she imported from America.
Where does it go to?
Lumber. cotton, petroleum, vs. .'
barley. oats and other cereals have
also been sent to Italy in enormous
quantities England TO be sure. main
tains a strict watch al Gibraltar and
examines the bills Of lading Of every
Italian or other vessel which passes
into the Mediterranean
But invariably the goods which ordi-
narily would be regarded a. contra
band are consigned TO Italian mer-
chants. who pledge themselves not 20
sell to any Of the bellIgerents. swift
erland is not belligerent but a neu-
trail country. So. there you arc.
Beyond the admission OF the fact
that Italian commerce had increased
very much since the beginning OF
the war and that Italian merchant
men were reaping fortunes. no ststis-
/ tics were available at the Italian
Chamber Of Commerce in this city.
But at the docks Of the Italian lines
in Jersey City. New York and Brook
lyn the hustle and hustle and the
enormous quantities Of goods stored on
the wharves, bore eloquent testimony
20 the fact that Italian commerce is
. norri hing