New-York tribune., 1917-06-23
Early Declaration of Neu-
trality Gave France
Million Men
Midnight Conference
Turned the Balance
Mayor Mitchell Pledges Mis-
sion Full Support of
America in War

The city's greeting 70 the representa-
,;vss Of Italy, the third ally whose
snokssmen have come TO receive New
Works welcome, ended its second day
last night with the Mayors banquet to
Prince Udine and his associates. Every
Element Of the city's political,
Professional, social, artistic and imam
ss;si-was at the Waldorf TO bespeak
The general welcome, and 70 hear, incl
S,ntally. stirring and hitherto untold
ale Of the war.
Senator Guglielmo Marconi, applaud
a. longest and loudest of the visitors,
,seted how his country's timely declar-
ZION of neutrality freed a million
french troops then marshalled against
possible attack by Italy. In the dead
~ night the message reached Paris,
and before dawn French soldiers were
bsjng fastened north. later to help win
n, battle of the Marne and save
France.
Mitchell Pledges Aid of United States
Nsyor Mitchell presided. pledging to
the visitors Americas firm and fast de-
termination TO be ltaly's comrade IN
arms 70 the end. DR.. Nicholas Murray
Butler brought the house outstanding
name. The Colonel was unable 10 at
tend. he announced, but invited the
commission TO oyster Bay.
Prince Udne expressed his gratitude
for our full-handedness in the brief,
crisp words Of a soldier
Professor Francesca Saverio Nitti
spoke Of ltaly's wants and wounds. He
pleaded for foodstuffs and coal from
America. and urged the 100000 sons
Of Italy now living abroad. principally
in the United States. 70 respond TO the
homelsnd's call TO the colors.
Five thousand persons pressed against
the police outpost Gordon thrown about
the hotel, and waited through the whole
programme 10 acclaim the visitors as
they were whirled away close to mid
night.
Senator Marconi's utterance was well
timed and dramatic. As he bore into
the story Of diplomacy's thrilling chap
ter. his auditors bent forward en- masse
to catch every syllable of his narrative.
Marconi's Speech
"And now, gentlemen, said Senator
Marconi. Il come 10 what is perhaps
one Of the least we'll known matters
in connection with this war. the great,
the absolutely decisive influence Of
Italys conduct at the very outbreak of
hostilities in 1914. Let me tell you few
facts concerning the inner political
history of those fateful few days of
July, 1914, when the fate of Europe
was trembling in the balance.
Germany did not expect US to join
her in her savage attack on the lib
critics of Europe; she did not even care
much whether We eventually agreed 70
remain neutral. Her game was much
deeper and more treacherous one. She
wanted US to leave France, our great
Latin sister, in doubt as to our inten-
tions.
"On the morning of July 80, 1914. that
is 70 say, one day before Germany de-
clared war on Russia. and two days be-
fore she declared war on France, the
Marquis de San Giuliano. who was then
our Foreign Minister, unofiicially in
formed the French Ambassador in
Rome thar Italy would never side with
the Central Powers in war of aggres-
sion. This information was immedi-
ately wired to Paris, but it was not
sufficient IL make France feel abso-
lutely certain that Italy'c attitude was
favorable 20 her. because there was an
yet no official declaration of neutrality
on our part.
ltdiN DtCldTeS NeutrdltN
"0n the 2nd of August, 1914. three
days before England declared war
against Germany, at a council of min
isters held in Rome. Italy decided
formally to declare her neutrality.
The news was Immediately communi-
Gated 10 our charge d'afaires in Paris.
III. ambassador being absent. For
some reason or other the telegram did
va.rb him until ofclock IN tho
morning. Without moments hesita-
ton. he went TO see VI. Niviani, the
French Prime Minister, in the middle
Of the night.
when he was introduced into NJ.
Viyiani's presence, the latter turned
pale and drew back, for he was almost
convinced that nothing but Italy's de-
clsion 10 Join Germany would have
brought the Italian Charge d'Affaires
there at that hour. The revulsion OF
feeling when VI. V;viani read the
telegram was such that he could not
hide his emotion. Within half an hour
orders had gone forth for the mobiliza-
ton for service in the North of nearly
one million men which France would
have had 10 keep on her southern and
eastern frontier 10 guard against a
possible attack from Italy.
Helped to Save France
That million men helped 10 stem
the advancing tide OF Germans, 10 win
ths battle Of the Marne. and 10 save
france from being crushed BY the heel
Of German militarism.
Had there been the slightest waver-
ing, the smallest hesitation on the
part Of Italy, had any Italian politician
oeen found 20 do one-tenth part Of
vhat Bismarck did when he altered
tne wording Of the famous Ems tele-
gram and thus brought about the
ffsnco-Prussian War. France would
not have dared 20 withdraw a single
msn from the Italian frontier, and
tns history Of the world might have
been written differently.
Gentlemen, is there any man who
can think, In view Of what have just
'old you, that Itsly's conduct was not
oseisive factor in the war;"
Mayors Speech Of Welcome
The Mayor, who spoke first. welcomec
ihe mission individually as brothers
IN arms, comrades in a deadly strug.
Ile Said he:
what makes firm and fast, indis.
soluble, intimate, the brotherhood
among The Allied nations eetwSsn Italy
ana the United States are the ideals
ne principles, the cause for which we
.Ehf. We are fighting for the preserva-
uon of democracy, the right Of free
.sa self-goyering peoples 20 live Al
ptaes nndisturbed by militsristic az
sres,ion or the dreams Of autocratic
conquest, for the sanctity Of treaties
we maintenance Of international law
stp no integrity Of nations small and
gtzr an we'll ss yrf0kty