The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-08-12
ITALY MAY BE
IMPORTANT FACTOR
Those Familiar with Country's Resources
Express View That as Neutral 1t
Would Be OF Much Value to
GERMANY and Austria.

| Washington, Aug. l2.--Now that Italy
has made it plain she will not play hel
part with the triple alliance, the at.
tention of the world is directed toward
her as one of the countries of Europe
which may keep out of the fighting OF
may be drawn in on the side of the triple
entente.
Those who are familiar with the re.
sources of Italy here express the view
that that country as neutral would be
of much value to Germany and Austria
as a sort OF feeding ground and that it
would be the part of wisdom for Ger
many not to force Italy into war against
the German-Austrian alliance.
Unquestionably the problem OF where
to get food and other supplies is going
1 to prove an enormous one for Germany
fand Austria. Hedged about as they are
by enemies, it is conceivable that, with
theiy enormous armies, they might fight
the war to something like a draw pro-
viding they can obtain sufficient food
and other supplies to maintain them.
selves against blockade by sea.
Consul General John +. Jones has re-
Gently made a report to the department
of commerce which sets forth in great
detail the commercial development of
Italy. 1t shows that Italy, in spite
of some drawbacks, has been going
steadily ahead. Its agricultural re-
sources are enormous. As a neutral,
with its ready access to Austria, it
would be in position to supply great
quantities of foodstuffs and goods to the
~ A,,a
Consul General Jones points out that
Italy has shown wonderful CONNER
cial development in the last % years,
and in that period has doubled both inn
ports and exports. Formerly a purely
agricultural country, it has become
largely commercial though with big ag
ricultural interests. In some respects,
the countrys progress last year was
checked by several untoward conditions
partly due to political disturbances in
the Balkans and to financial failure in
South America, where Italy is largely
interested. Labor troubles added to the
difficulties.
However, the nation was prosperous in
as agricultural way and crops generally
were abundant Improved conditions in
the cotton industry were marked. The |
iron and steel industry held its own in
the face of serious conditions. such as
over production and keen competition |
with Germany.
One OF the large sources of revenue |
to the Italian people is from the re-
mittances of money by Italian emigrants
abroad. Last year sl2,000,000 was sent /
from the United States.
Italy grows considerable cotton and /
has developed a considerable cotton spin
ming business. In 1918 Italy raised
enough cattle TO supply herself and also
exported to Switzerland. Italy has a
srge export of dairy products. the value
IN 1913 being over sl6.0O0,000.
Rice is one OF the most important of
he Italian agricultural products. Its
production last year was over ,l97, OO0,-
l00 pounds, and lorge quantities are ex-
ported. From the standpoint Of food
supply in the present war, this is a fac
or OF no small Importance. Eggs are
argely exported, as are beans. farins,
r1its, potatoes, and vegetables Of va
'ious sorts.
II Italy we're 81 peace with Austria
{ would be impossible TO prevent large
hipments Of such products Of the fields
md factories into Austria and thence
nto Germany.