Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-07-31
War Effects in Italy
BY John H. Hearley,


By John H. Hearley,
| Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
Rome, July 3.-(By Mail.)- Italy,
eighteen months ago was commercially
and industrially bound hand and foot
to Germany. War unloosened the
bonds. With the help of English fin.
ances, Italy today is working out her
own commercial salvation.
When war began in 1914, millions of
dollars in German money suddenly
were withdrawn from Italian enter
prises and the tourist trade, Italy's
chief source of wealth, stopped. A ma
tional moratorium became necessary.
The bank of Italy and other patriotic
institutions saved the country from
bankruptcy.
REIMBURSEMENT was in progress when
war between Italy and Austria was
declared. A general war tax levy was
prepared. Even the household piano
did not escape. On all checks and re-
ceipts, recent levy of two cents up
has been placed.
With munition factories, Italy be.
came dotted. They were prepara-
tion for war and its aftermath, for
they are so put up they may be con.
verted into factories of peace. An
arms factory near Naples will become
a dye works. Other plans will become
machine shops. New Italy dreams of
real industrial greatness within ten
years.
The sudden elimination of German
imports threw a financial burden on
the Italian people. Many things in
creased in price, but the advances
served to bring out the inventive gen.
ius of the Latin race. Drugs, clothes
and other products looked on as ex.
elusively German, began to be made at
home.
Italy's New Birth
Nothing better illustrates Germany's
industrial invasion of Italy than its
manufacture Of typically Italian goods.
For centuries the Romans and Floren-
tines have been artists in hand made
mosaic floors and ceilings and dress
ornaments. The Germans invented
machines for such manufacture at
home. German-made mosaics for years
have been sold in Italy far more cheap.
ly than the Italian product could be.
The government is encouraging Ital-
ian industry. Associations TO make
Italians own Italy, are everywhere.
'Italy First +" is the new motoO. Recent
ly all the italian travelling men organ
lied into one big association.
The cost of water power has de-
creased during the war. Electricity for
manufacturing purposes has gone down.
Having no coal now is working an
electrical revolution in Italy. Electric
ity even for the domestic heating,
lighting and cooking seems certain.
Italy's domestic life has been much
affected by the conflict, especially in
the smaller villages of the north and
south. At first, speculation in necessi- |
ties was prevalent. Unnecessary suf |
fering was occasioned by get.rich-quick |
dealers and producers. Municipalities
have done much to stop such abuses.
Municipal shops have been opened
everywhere. These sell necessities
generally at the prices which GStained
before the war. First service and |
preference are given to the poorer
classes.
Fuel Very Scarce
In the municipality owned stores milk
sells for eight cents pint. Private !
dealers ask ten cents. Municipal bread
and the private stock cost about the
same amount. The common or war
variety is sold at four cents pound, /
while the luxury kind brings six cents
a pound The bread is all of brown
ish, puffy sort, in which water is gen !
orally used. White flour is allowed
only in the making of cake.
Meats are especially high. A pound
of the best cut beef costs thirty-six
cents in the municipal stores and fifty
cents in the private places. Except in
the case of milk the municipal supplies
are always inferior to the private.
Practically all cooking is now done
bv gas. Coal has become the rarest
luxury. Anthracite, which before the
war brought $l3 a ton, now sells for
$40 Even coke has jumped from so to
$32 ton.
Wearing apparel also has increased
in cost. The price of dresses for
women and suits for men are at least
twenty per cent higher now than be-
fore the war.
Rich Are Hardest Hit
The rich generally have been the
hardest hit, especially those with hold
ings in Austria and Germany. In many
instances war has robbed them of at
least half their fortunes. Automobiles
have had to be given up and servants
reduced in numbers. Even hands that
had never known work suddenly have
had to toll.
a middle class family of six, living
on 81 day before the war now must
spend almost 50. This expenditure will
provide daily supplies of wine and
vegetables and meat once day. Cloth.
ing absolutely necessary generally is
reckoned in this outlay, but house
rental usually is not.
In many ways the poor have suffered
materially the least by the war The
beggars are the single exception. Their
suffering is pathetic. They have been
accustomed TO look mostly TO the trav.
cling public for aims, but now no