The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-10-31
PUTS A VAST SUM
TO |TALY'S CREDIT
u. S. Grants S230,000,000 and
Expedites 100,000-TOn
Shipping Plan
GREAT FAITH IN
GENERAL CADORNA
But Experts Recognize the Danger of
Another Austro- German Thrust from
sells Is Assured.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3l.-The Amer
lean government rallied strongly to the
support of Italy by taking definite and
effective steps to support that country
in the military crisis precipitated by
the German invasion.
A financial credit Of $3.50, 600, 900 was
granted to the government OF Italy by
the government of the United States.
The size of this credit, which is to be
utilized in the purchase of coal, fooi-
stuffs, munitions and oth"r needed sup
plies. is the most tangible evidence Of
the confidence the American govern
mcnt reposcs III the ability Of the Ital.
ian government and people to weather
ultimately the storm that has bern
sweeping across the Valley of the
Isonzo, bringing about the collapse of
the military front in that region.
I'm it's effort to be Of immediate strv-
ice to Italy the government. however
did not stop at the granting Of this
by which the Italian government is to
obtain the first 100000 tons of ship
ping that becomes available for use
in shipment of coal, fuel supplies aad
foodStufTs, as well as munitions
Preference was granted to the I,dl
ians over the French in this allotment
of shipping. The Italians, as a result
viii have the almost immediate use Of
p vessels averaging 1900 tons each.
the first of which viii be available %
day
BY rendering this assistance the
United States has placed itself in iii
rect alignment with the Paris and Lon
don governments in endeavorina to
supply immediate tangible aid to the
italian government and people. The
Italian embassy has notified the GOV
eminent at Rome of the steps taken
and there is every reason for believ-
ing that this help Will inspire the Ital-
ian people to unite behind their GO
eminent until the unsettled military
situation ia the Venetian plains finds
its balance, and the forces OF General
Cadorna. aided by British and French
guns and soldiers. are able to make a
stand that will. it is hoped, check the
German invasion and mark the begin
victory.
The credit Of s23Oo00,0oo thus
granted to Italy IS the largest financial
allotment the I nited States has made
in favor OF that country. and brings
the total war credit given by this coun-
try to Italy to $4S5 100000. At the
same time it raises the total war credit
by the United States to all the allies
to the stupendous sum Of 1901 400,
eco.
The granting of the credit followed
long distance telephone conversations
between Washington officials with See.
rotary McAdoo, who is at White Sui
rhur Springs, West Va, and resulted
in the secretary giving telephone in
StuctionS to treasury officials to make
the new credit to Italy immediately
available.
The granting Of preferential treat
mcnt TO the Italian government in the
matter of ocean transport for the i'm
mediate movement TO Italy OF sup
plies to be bought with this credit is
counted upon TO hcarten the Italian
civil population by assuring them food
TO tide them over the winter. Several
weeks ago the United States shipping
board, after conferences between fed
cral officials and French and italian
representatives, decided to place 2s5.-
600 tons of shipping at the disposal OF
France and 100000 at that Of Italy.
But at that time it was decided that
France should have the preference with
respect to the use of the allotted ton
mage France was to obtain her quota
first.
The kernel of the situation is the OK
tent Of the ability of the Italians.
with Anglo-French aid, to stem the
tide OF the Austro. German onrnsh. That
Cadorna and the forces operating IN
der his command are making despcr-
ate effort to extricate as much as pos
sihle OF the Italian army from a most
difficult situation and then establish