The Washington herald., 1915-05-04
PREDICTS GREAT
ROLE FOR ITALY
IS. I. Poll Says Country's In
fluence May Be Exerted
for Peace.
SHOULD TAKE INITIATIVE
Theatrical Man Says We Should
Tell Warning Powers
to Quit.

| Much talk has been going on within the
past few days as to the possibility of
Italy throwing her strength with one or
the other Of the warning forces in E.u-
| rope. and every bit of news indicating
| her possible or probable action in the
premises is eagerly devoured on all sides.
! The Italian people of the city have been
particularly interested, the attitude of the
country and her rulers and their probable
decision being the subject Of conversa-
| ton in every group. On every hand is
heard the COMMUNICATION Of the course
that Italy has followed up to the pres
ent. and the hope is everywhere express
ed that she will continue to observe the
same attitude.
Keen Observer of Affairs.
Because of the prominence that S. z.
Poll. the theatrical magnate enjoys as a
result of the success he has made in
| his business. he is everywhere regarded
| as one whose opinion is of value when
| it is expressed concerning his native
land. There is no man of Italian birth
in New England. or in the country for
| that matter. whose views would be given
greater consideration. for Mr.. Poll Is ID
very keen observer of things in general.
as well as those concerning the theatrical
business. He has just returned from
a tour to the Pacific Coast. during which
he had opportunity to come in touch
with all shades Of opinion, both among
other men of Italian birth. as well as
American citizens generally. and what
he has to say on the situation may be
regarded as summarizing the best
thought of men, who like him, are inter-
ested in Italy's pursuing to the very emo
a course that will tend to insure a last
ing peace among the nations of Europe.
Certainly" said Mr. Poll to a Her
aid representative yesterday.
have only the highest admiration for
the way in which the Italian authori-
ties have handled the situation up to
the present moment. They have pre-
served the best traditions of the ma
ton and offered the highest hope for
the future. Italy. in my judgment, is
in a position to exercise a controlling
influence in settling this great war
in a way that will insure to the last
ing benefit of all the powers and peo-
pies involved in the conflict. If she
continues to prove. as she has de-
monstrated SO far. that she stands
above the selfish spirit of territory
grabbing. she will place herself
where at the psychological moment
she will be able to step in and ar
range a settlement that will insure !
lasting peace. Any territory that
she might be able to force as the |
price Of entering or staying out of !
tho war would be nothing. in my |
opinion, to the glory that will be
permanent and abiding peace for |
Europe will be the final result. The |
benefits of such a peace would be !
incalculable to the commerce and |
happiness of all the nations involved |
in this unhappy struggle and would .
more than compensate for all the !
enormous destruction that is now GO
ing on.
influence of Italy.
Italy is unquestiona bly, the strong
est of the European powers not en-
gagged in the war and in whatever
direction she may decide at the
psychological moment to throw her
strength. she will have. in my judg-
ment. a decisive influence. For the
present. therefore, II is my view that I
Italy is doing the best thing for her
self and for the rest of Europe in
maintaining her position of armed
THE course for Italy to follow. in my
is to sieze the psychological
moment to intervene and say to all the
warning powers that the time has come
for adjustment. Then. in arranging mat
tiers of arbitration. let Italy present her
claims side by side with the claims of
the warning nations. and let the arbitra-
tors take cognizance Of and pass judg-
ment on all claims as a whole and in the
interest of an adjustment that will seem
most equitable to all the nations But,
above all, Italy should insist that a
be signed by all the European
powers not to engage In war for at least
$50 years under penalty of all the other
powers turning against any power vio-
lating the pact and taking away its ma
tional entity. With such an agreement
In force and backed by the united senti-
ment of the various nations Of Europe.
Turkey. l believe peace would
be insured during the life of the cove
nant."