The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-20
ITALY'S GREAT FIGHT
BY HOLLAND

New York, September 19.-(Speciai)
New York city are reported as having
said that very few of those who are of
Italian birth or parentage who were in
| this way called to the colors have
claimed exemption. In majority of
cases these drafted men of Italian blood
appear enthusiastically to have welcomed
| the opportunity to begin a soldiers life
| for the United States and our allies. A
| like report has come from Boston and
other reports not quite SO authoritative
have reached New York from various
cities which show the same spirit on the
part Of the drafted men of Italian blood
as has been manifested in New York
| and in Boston. sa s4y
Another interesting fact associated
with the making of our new army Is the
authoritative report that 70 per cent OF
the soldiers who are now in the camp
at Yaphank. l.. l., are of the Hebrew
race and Jewish faith.
| The relation of Italy to the war and
what may prove to be the triumphant
| aid which italy is to give In terminal
| ing the war; have not been well unoer-
stood by thSgAmerican people for the
reason that italy has been overshadowed
| by France and by Great Britain so Tar
| as public interest here is concerned
1 But the government at Washington IS
| well informed Of the various progressive
steps Italy has taken and some OF our
| business leaders have received lnforma-
/ ton respecting the intensive preparatory
work done by Italy since she entered
| the war which compels admiration. II
| is the manner in which Italy prepared
| and when at last completed preparations
which have justified the government IN
making advances to Italy and will justify
such further advances as may be asked.
So also England, while busily occupleu
| in her preparations, nevertheless nav
| ing learned in detail what the plans Oh
| the italian leaders were, cordially aiaeo
Italy not only with money, but with va
rious supplies.
/ From an authoritative source It was
learned this morning that at the pesin-
ming Of the war the leading Influences IN
Italy realized that the kingdom was "
| terly unprepared for beginning nostili-
| ties There were several reasons Tor TINS
condition. A great deal of Gereman
monav was in Italy. Germany had
| financed much of the public undertake
ings for the italian government. Al
though italy did not contemplate war
| with Germany but only with Austria
nevertheless the alliance between Ger
many and Austria created difficult PROP
lens for the italian leaders. In the next
i nlaca Italy was not a warlike nation
She had carried on several small wars
hut these had not especially affected
public sentiment. Her people were
neaceful. busily occupied with agricul-
ture and with certain industries. The
| King and the government were attempt
ing to build UP various Italian industries,
so that they might greatly increase their
foreign commerce. Therefore the king
dom was wholly unprepared to enter into
a war which would inevitably involve
great sacrifices. great patience, and Il
1t were to be successful. the surmount-
ing Of extraordinary difficulties such as
were offered by the mountain barriers
between Italy and Austria.
The Italian leaders confidentially COM
municated with France and Great Britain
their belief that it would require at Least
N three years to maintain satisfactorily
Italy's share In the war It was neces-
sary to mobilize and discipline a very
large army, but that was the least Of
the problems presented to the italian
leaders 1t was inevitable that there
be secured vast supplies of war mate.
rails and also be perfected certain meth
DDS for carrying on the war In thu
mountains which would involve entirely
; new strategy.
, The Italian workshops were converted
into munition factories. England ant
T the United States furnished supplies an(
italy came to New York for the purpos'
of securing money with which to pa.
|, for the various commodities Of which sh
stood in need.
In the first year Of the preparations
such progress was made as satisfied tn
great forces OF the Italian government
that it would be possible within anothe
! year or year and a half adequately =
lsprepare Italy for the part her leader
expected the Kingdom 70 take IN IN