The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-05-04
SURE ITALY WON'T
FIGHT FOR KAISER
MarcOni Says His Country VIII
Aid Allies If She Enters War.
WANTS TO KEEP OUT OF IT

Strongly Resent Germany's
Treatment of Belgium, Wireless In
ventor Declares In Interview, and
Everything is Now Ready Should De-
cision Come to End Neutrality.
On his arrival In this country VIII
liam Marconi, the inventor of wireless
telegraphy, was asked IL he thought 1t
ally would enter the war on the side of
the allies.
THAT Is a question that Is very diftl-
cult to answer" Mr.. Marconi replied.
The majority of Italians favor the
allies. There Fan be no doubt of that,
and a great many OF them favor going
to war ON their side.
There is also a large peace party In
Italy which. while not favoring war, Is
nevertheless ready TO stand behind the
government In the event the step Is
taken. AS for German sentiment In
Italy. my own personal opinion Is that
Ii is negligible.
We have no quarrel with Germany,
and the alliance with her may have
been beneficial to Italy, until militarism
gained the upper hand in Germany.
The italian nation did not approve OF
this war, and as a member of the triple
alliance, Italy felt that she should have
been consulted. Had she been this
var might possibly have been averted.
Statements that Italy has been hold
ing off In the effort to drive "A hard
bargain with Vienna are In my opinion
unjust and untrue. | do not believe
that my country has been trying to
drive a hard bargain with Austria, but
rather that Austria has been making
advances In the effort to win the favor
of Italy.
Resent Fate of Belgium.
italians do not feel that their re
lations with Austria have been any
too pleasant or that Italy has been
treated any too fairly by Austria. Italy
has been irritated by Austrian en-.
croachments. and by harsh treatment
of Italians within the borders OF the
Austro-Hungarian empire.
AS indicative of italian sentiment
| only have TO call attention TO the
fact that there is In Italy n very strong
Democratic element which belongs t.
what Is known as the Social Democrat
ic party. The majority of these Social
Democrats are laboring men, and from
the first they have been Mortified al
the treatment accorded Belgium.
THE invasion of that little neutra
state by the Germans Is something
they cannot stand for. and IL for nc
other reason, they are against Germany
because of this act against the Bel
CLANS. This is my own opinion. and
In stating 1t l do so under the convic
ton that / know my own country pref
ty well.
'The Italians have always enter
tanned an admiration for the great Ger
man military machine as a machine
machine have not the approval of the
italian people.
But to revert to the question as Il
whether or not Italy will become a par
ticipant In this war. The military meI
say that Italy will go in. but some OF
the great politicians maintain that
her entry Ia doubtful.
Will Not Help Germany.
However, 1t Is a fact that all prep
a~rations have been made and 1t is ouI
of the question for Italy to go witt
Germany and Austria-Hungary III sh,
goes 1t will be with the allies. OF tina
| am certain.
The Italian navy is fit and Its Off
GERS and men well trained. A number
of new ships have been commissioned
among them several Dreadnoughts,
The commander OF the feet is the
Duke OF the Abruzzi, and Americans
know what a fine and capable type OF
ama he Is.
The economical situation In Italy Is
excellent Recently n very good loan
was floated without outside assistance
and am convinced that the people are
ready to make great sacrifices should
1t become necessary.
Since the beginning Of the war
am OF the opinion that Italy has sin.
cerely made every effort to remain In
In honorable neutral position, and
hope the situation will so adjust itself
that Italy a keep out OF the a
II doubt If the great body of Ameri
cans appreciate the full extent of the
great tragedy of Europe. IL you could
see the MANNED and ruined | am quite
certain that all America would be still
more ardently for peace than is now
the case. My sincere hope Is that the
American government and people will
continue to exert every pressure tc
bring about a termination of the con.
fiict."