Evening star., 1917-05-28
|TALY'S WAR NEEDS
THEME OF ENJOYS
Railway Equipment, Coal, Iron
and Steel Enumerated by
Commission Members.
TALK WITH U. S. OFFICIALS

Italy's urgent war needs of railway
equipment. coal. iron and steel were
laid formally before American officials
today by the Italian commission: Means
Of financing large purchases ana trans
porting them through the submarine
blockade were corrollary subjects dis
cuSsed.
Government officials indicated that
Italy's demands would be met as FAR
as possible. but that they would have
to be considered in conjunction with
the enormous war needs OF America
herself and of the other allies. To carry
out this scheme of international CO.
operation, the Prince of Gdine. head OF
the mission, assigned members to spe-
cific phases.
Members Invited to New York.
On behalf of larger population OF
Italian extraction than is contained in
Italy's largest city. as well as in the
name of New York city as whole.
Mayor Mitchell and delegation from
Gotham. today formally invited the
Italian mission to the American
metropolis.
Prince Udine accepted the invitation
on behalf of the mission and tentative
date of June IL was fixed for the recep-
ton the city plans for the visitors.
Later next week a great dinner, similar
to that rendered the British and French
missions, will be given the Italians.
Mayor MitchePS Greeting.
Addressing the mission Mayor Mitchell
said. in part:
you will find that we deeply appre-
ciate the work these Italians (refer-
ring to New York's Italian population)
are doing for our conutry, while Italy,
in union with her allies, is fighting the
battle of democracy"
Prince Udine in replying spoke in
English. He expressed his deep appre-
L. CT I'M
had been tremendously enthused by the
entrance of the United States into the
war.
with Mayor Mitchell was a large del
egation from New York. including many
Of the leading Italian legislators, bust
ness men, editors and educators OF the
city. Senator Calder and Representative
La Guardia accompanied the New YORK
delegation to the headquarters OF the
mission. Nicholas Murray Butler, pres
ident of Columbia University, Is gen
eral chairman of the reception COM
mittee for the visit
Topics Discussed at Conference.
Shipping and transportation were the
principal topics discussed at the confer
ence today. Continued importation OF
coal and raw products for munitions man
ufacture is essential for 1taly's safety
and continuance of war s.SAmerican
officials were told.
Mission members Will D6 guests Ol Tic
Secretary Of State and Mrs. Lansing at
q reception at the Pan-American Union
this afternoon, and second official din
ner will be given them this evening at the
Fran Francesca saverio Nitti. former minis
ter of agriculture, will address newspa-
per men tomorrow morning at 10 80.
marking the beginning Of a series of
statements the mission members will
make to the American people through
the press.
AS arranged in conference with the
Italian ambassador and his staff, Enrico
Arlotta, minister of transportation, will
have charge of negotiations for the pur-
chase of railway materials, while Augusta
Ciuffelli, former minister Of public works,
and Signor Nitti, will deal particularly
with the coal supply and other commercial
problems.
Other Features of Program.
Political and financial questions will be
taken up mainly by the prince and the
MARQUIS Luigi Borsarelli. undersecretary
for foreign affairs Guglielmo Marconi, a
senator and scientist. planned conferences
with American scientists who are search
ing for methods of defeating the SUBJ
marines. The prince, captain in the
Italian navy, will meet American naval
officers, and military members of the COM
mission exchanged information with Amer
lean army men.