Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-23
Italy's Delay Explained.

The parliamentary majority was con-
trolled by Signor Giolitti. former pre-
mier. who has often been called the
uncrowned King of Italy" Giolitt was
open in his opposition to war.
The Italian army and navy was not
prepared for war. The army consisted
of hardly more than two corps. The
navy lacked men and munitions.
The political leaders of France and
England. / am told, have known for
months what 1taly's action would be
when the time came. AS a proof of
this two facts are cited The first is
that France hurried troops to guard
her Italian front. Upon the receipt of
satisfactory assurances from Italy
these troops were Withdrawn. The
second is that Italy, although in a sat
lsfactory condition financially if peace
were to be maintained lacked funds
cured from England. i hint of this was
given to the English parliament by
Mr.. Asauith not long ago. The whole
truth will not be made known until
after the war.
In order to overturn Giolitti a poDu-
lar movement was engineered by the
leaders of the crown party-the fac
ton which favored war. This was COM
pletely successful. Giolitti is now call
ed the best hated man in Italy" There
men of northern Italy opposed the war
Dollars are usually blind to purely
ethical considerations. But the popular
movement that upset Gioiitti swung
these men into line. Whether convinced
or not, they We're at least Siienced
AS for Italy's preparations, / am not
IN position to speak in convincing
cetail. One reason for this is the Sc
crecy that was preserved. The press
in Italy is absolute. Not a
tl1 i...,
cd that could by any possibility be OBJ
jected to by the military authorities.
In no other country that / have visited
during this war is there as little re-
sentiment of this newspaper muzzling.
Satisfied With Secrecy.
We know our army is advancins." is
the attitude Of the average Italian.
That is all we ask TO know at this
time. 1t has, OF course, met with defeat
and loss. We are content not to hear
of these things until victory has been
WON
But it is Very certain that the prepara-
tons have been excellent. In the ten
months gwen to the task iirst-rate
army has been created IL is. Il demo-
cratic army, almost as democratic as
that of France. One can see on the
streets Of any city private sold ers riding
IN the little open cabs common in Italy,
by the side of commissioned officers IN
full uniform. They sit in the cafes to-
sether and puzzle over the war maps
printed i'll the newspapers. In Il station
On the outskirts OF Venice | saw one
reason for this. A slender boy of twenty
years, his full military equipment on his
back, was bidding goodbye to his mother
and sister. Time after time the little
mother said farewell 10 him. and then
came back to claim one last caress The
boys companions ran up to pu at his
sleeves from time to time. The shril
whistles of the Italian conductor were
resoundaS through the ira n shed. His
special WAS about 10 leave for the
front.
"A moment" the little mother begged.
Here comes his brother
A tall man i'll the dazln. white and
slistcnirs gold of the Italian naval Off
Ger ran down the platform. He took
his younger BROTHER in h arms and kiss
tue Italian way. Then he sent him off
to JON the slowly moving train. with d
pat and a Jest. The little mother in
black held back her tears. Leaning upon
the naval officers arm she waved her
limp andkerchief until the private was
out of sight.
Artillery Is the Best.
The Italian artillery is especially
good. This is somewhat remarkable
" hen one considers that ten months is
little enough time in which to train ar
ti!lcrymen. Their practice against the
enemy has been deadly, | am told. They
lroD their shells just where they wish.
This fact has its encoura cement to us.
1t does not take forever to train an
army, then-if only the men and guns
are on hand. The cavalry had in times
past been Itaiy's boast But because
they must meet the enemy in the
the horsemen have beer
very largely diSmounted. The crack Of
icerS we have watched in the "mov-
es," riding their horses down the face
Of Il -precipitous hill, arc now in the
trenches as everyday infantrymen.
1t is absolutely true that one would
so long as one is not in the war zone
except by the absence of tourists.
No travellers on pleasure are wanted
here now. The police are very frank
about this. The hotelkeepers and cab
men and guides in the cities most fire.
luen.ed by the summer traveller are
feeling this shortage of foreign money
very keenly, of course. The greater
commercial cities of the north are not.
The tourist business is but an item
with them. In Bologna and Leghorn
assured me that the sum-
ner. is invariably dull. Some even as
serted they have had better average
Of guests because of the war than they
ire accustomed to in times of pence.
One amendment should be made to the
statement that one would not know that