Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-05

| from the Suns correspondent at Rome
! declares that the question which has
! concerned, even agitated all Europe
why has Italy delayed in following
sentimental and practical interests
and intervening on the side of Great
Britain, France and Russia?--can
now be satisfactorily answered.
'I am able to state on incontroverti-
BILE authority that Italy has marked
/ time In a policy of watchful neutrality
solely because her army and her navy
were unprepared for the enormous de-
mands that modern warfare makes,
saws the correspondent. But within
two weeks after the Parliament con-
venes on December 2 Italy will be
ready for the great venture-com-
pletely equipped with heavy and light
guns, ammunition, horses, clothing
and food supplies for soldiers ana
sailors; with vast store OF munitions
tribution and use.
'aThus within two weeks from De-
cember 2 Italy will be prepared as
completely as the experiences and
foresight Of her statesmen and gen
eraI staff can prepare her to defend
national honor and TO realize the
vision of a greater Italy-an Italy
that will possess the Adrlatic as an
Italian lake that will have regained
Trent and Trieste, that will forever
safeguard her colonies in AFRICA and
will, at the same time, satisfy the
hatred of her people for Austria ana
their ancient affection for England
There is not the shadow of doubt.
and there never has been, where
Italy's sympathies and interests in
cline in the great war. The subject is
not open to controversy. The govern
ment has been able only by tremen-
dous exertion to hold the people IN
leash That is not the point.
italy Poorly Prepared at First.
when the war began, and for four
months thereafter, Italy was in poor
position to match her military ana
naval power against the magnlhceht-
ly equipped organizations OF derihahy
and Austria. 1t was a simple matter
Tov her 10 withdraw from the Triple
Alliance, since Germany and Austria
were powerless to force her TO JON
them: but the alternative demanded
bv the people, a frank alliance with
Great Britain, France and RUSSIA
was impossible.
First of all, she lacked modern
field guns. 1t required Las OF tne
new Deport type to supply a mooll-
tied army. The work of procuring
these guns was not begun until 1917,
and large contracts were placed with
the Creusot works in France. Inc
Deport is the invention of ColoneI De
port, the designer of the Frencn serV-
ice gun. and has remarkable adVan-
"a ges over the German and Austrian
types. Before the war began some
contracts were fulfilled. But when
the war started France needed the
batteries of LIE Creusot, and Italy
could do no less than privately ac-
dliiesce in the taking over of her con
tracts. Immediately, however, the
war department began to rectify TINS
loss. I am not permitted TO state
how Italy has succeeded in complete
iy arning her twenty-four regiments
of artillery with the most up-to-date
guns. but it has been done
"At the outbreak of the war boots,
uniforms and underwear werH lack
ing. There were not enough of sucn
necessaries in the quartermasters
depots to supply more than -FOUR army
corps at the most, Quietly but eneI-
peticaIlv Italy has been manutactur-
mo and purchasing from abroad all
such articles. Probably 100000 pairs
of boots have been obtained from
America. Vast stores Of timed meats
were contracted for and obtained. IN
these respects the preparation is
practically complete; will be entlrely
so by December 10.
"Four months ago there was
shortage OF horses, of automoplIes
and of motor transports. The ilrst
business of the war department was
IA procure horses and remounts tor
the twenty-six regiments of caValry
That has been done. BY the midole
of next month, probably 25,0OO horses
will have been obtained from the
United States and South american
countries. More than 10000 horses
were purchased in the district VI
viterbo alone. A tremendous sum
has been spent for motor transports.
a system has been de-
vised which places all private motor
oars at the disposal of the state. IN
these respects Italy has made up de-
ficiencies and is ready for stern
eventuallties
Secret of Delay Is Out.
"I might instance other details OF
1t Is not necessary. The
Ttaiian people now understand why
their government stood to one SIDE
There is less uproar over the passive
. tti+ude. The hustle Of preparation
let slim the secret. All Italy has been
a veritable dynamo of energy, getting
ready for what? The future alone
will answer. But this much can pe
said. if blundering diplomacy or de-
iiherate malice stab at Italy's honor
or her national aspirations a pre-
pared and powerful nation Will pe
Quick to take vengeance.
$50 far as the state OF the army is
concerned I offer the facts supplled
to me by the war office: Three months
Safore the war broke out contingents
fro,I, three classes, 1891, 1892 and 1898,
yara under arms, and the total
strength of the army was 100000 men.
After the war began two classes We're
called, 1890 and 1889, and an additlohai
9o0 600 came to the colors. Then Gen
eral Zupelli, at the head Of the war
once dismissed 81, 900 reservists OF the
1850 class and called TO arms the sec
ond category Of recruits from the 1894
ciass as well as men from the 1889
class who had been exempted because
thew each had q brother with tho
colors. The total of such reserVlsts
amounted to $4,000 and exactly re-
placed those dismissed.
ION November is another 6J, ooO were
dismissed, but 10000 took their places
the class of 1895-who will be ready
nm January l, 1915. Thus the strength
Of the army will be 1000 men until
.Ianuary /. 1915, when it will mount to
gao 600. All the reservists dismissed
are liable to be recalled at twenty
four hours' notice, so that Italy wiz
be ready to take the field with 10000
trained men, perfectly equipped.
"If the six classes of reserves ex-
tending from 1888 to 1888 are called,
the first line will amount to more
than 100000. and there is a second
line. for territorial service, including
ali men who have passed the age
limit for active service, Of 1.l50,000.
Back of that Is a third line who have
been trained, but exempted, but who
could be called In urgent need.