The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-05-24
u. S. TRADE MAY GAIN
BY ITALY'S ENTRANCE
Although This Country's Diplomatic
Burdens Will be Increased -
Problem of Communication.

WASHINGTON, May "a. = The ac-
ton of Italy in declaring war on
Austria came as no surprise to the
United States administration or to the
corps.
Just what effect the entrance of the
latest belligerent will have on the IN
terests of the United States is not yet
known here. There is naturally con-
siderable speculation over its probable
effect on American trade, both export
and import Italy has already become
a purchaser of vast quantities of sup
plies in the United States and it is ex-
pected these will be increased as her
operations proceed. 1T has been sug-
gested that the probabilities are that
Italy's exports to the United States
will be increased with the absorption
of so many of her productive laborers
into the field armies. This of course
would have the effect of further less
ening the United States customs rev.
enues, which already have decreased to
an extent that may require a special
session of congress
AUTOMATICALLY, the effect of the war
will be to add to the burdens of the
United States government. 1t is un-
derstood that both the Austrian ana
Italian diplomatic and consular inter
ests will be entrusted to the represen-
tatives of the United States. Germany
and Turkey will be included in the
area affected, as declarations of war
upon Italy arc expected from those two
governments Immediately. Germany,
however, is placing her interests in
charge of the Swiss government.
The problem of communication with
Germany, Austria and Turkey from
Washington also is expected to be
made more difficult by Italy s entrance
into the war For months practically
all the state department s communica-
lions by cable with those countries
have been by way of Rome. It is not
expected that Italy will facilitate even
the official communications of the Unit
ed States to enemy countries. In fact
it is considered certain that sending
messages by way of Italy will have
! to be abandoned.
For several weeks Italy has serious
lly interfered with cable dispatches
from Washington to Germany and
Austria and particularly with those to
| Turkey. The only route regarded as :
possible alternative is via the Scandi
lnavian countries and thence south Il
Germany and her allies.
It is certain that there viii be nC
more detentions of American cargoe
consigned to points in Italy on thu
ground that their ultimate destination
is territory hostile to the allies, 70
Italy can be counted on, of course, II
prevent any such consignments eve
reaching their destinations. In thi
respect it is believed that the annoy
ances of American shippers will b,
somewhat lessened. 1t is reported tina
Switzerland is to form government
importing agency, which will probabl..
have the effect of relieving of all sus
picion American shipments to Italy, a
the purpose of the proposed action
to guarantee that only goods needle
in Swiss territory are to be imported
| Whether Rumania will join the wa
with Italy is a matter of speculatio
here. The general expectation is tina
she will. 1t has been the belief tina
Germany and Austria were gettin
many supplies through Rumanian teri
tory.