Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-19
ITALY READY FOR
VIGOROUS, WAR
HANDICAP OVERCOME AND Ma
TON IS PREPARED FOR MORE
ACTIVE CAMPAIGN. 4
GREAT ORGANIZATION
OF RESOURCES COMPLETED
Industrial and Military Status Declared
Never Better Prepared to Thwart Foe
Third Of Cost Borne by People
Women Labor in Faetories--Produet
Of Munitions Large.

view of what Italy has been doing to
perfect it's organization of military. in
dustrial and political forces may be
gathered from data published by the
ministry Of war. where it is declared
Italy is now prepared to enter into
stu more vigorous prosecution OF the
war.
1t is frankly stated that Italy began
the war with the feeling that it was
weak nation, poor in money and mate
riaf resources, with an army that was
untitled to cope with that Of Austria.
which was far superior in artillery and
which for many gears had been plant
ing heavy cannon in the Businesses OF
the high mountains that lie between II
and Italy.
Handicapped at Start.
The Italian general staff, in COM
mand of General Cadorna, has never
made a secret of the fact that when
Italy's troops were first in May, 1915.
launched against the Austrian from
tier, along, a 5O0-mile front defended
by twenty-five divisions (625.000 mem
Of trained troops, 1t was with an Italian
army OF which perhaps mere 100000
men might be classed as trained troops.
Nor has it been a secret that, POLITICAL
ly. Italy began the war divided into TWO
parties, one OF which was against war
with Germany or any kind Of war At
all.
Therefore. internally. one 81 he big
tasks Of the general staff and OF the
government has been to maintain the
Ia fho
proving the nations future progress.
Turnout the war on the one hano. q's
army has been kept, in tight control by
Cadorna, while in Rome Baron sydney
Sonnino. head of the department OF
state. has exercised much admired
skill in handling the opponents to the
war
War Creates Vast Industries.
BY his continual presence at the
front. save for total period OK Two
weeks absence in Rome on government
business, the king has indicated his po-
sition to the nation. The various an
tagonistic, antiwar efforts Of the go
,cialists have been overcome by the d.
vision of that party thru one OF It's
leaders. Leontda Bissoiatti, being taken
Into the present cabinet and also thru
the influence Of the vatican. which Is
notably anti-socialistic.
In order to eecure the supplies Tor
the army. beginning perhaps Win
scarcely SOC. 900 men and now esflmat-
ed at 3.oo0, 900. the nation has put IN
oneration a total OF 2.179 factories, em-
ploying 4ss,s4O persons Of whom iS.s24
are classed as skilled workmen.
Women Labor In Factories.
The total number OF factories ana
plants 1. SUBJ divided into s,xty-six
military establishments proper en-
ploying e1s45 workmen and 1913 wo-
men; s32 auxiliary factories employing
s44.70s workmen and 55,253 women. "
the latter ninety-one turn out metal
parts: 4s9. rifles. cannon. airplanes. au-
tomobiles. projectiles and cartridges,
and $50 manufacture explosives, chem
ical products and work over crude ores.
There are, further, 1,1S1 minor pro-
tectile factories employing $4,000 per-
SONS. To these totals must also be
added a countless number OF uniform
and clothing factories In every part OF
the land.
Third Of Cost Borne by People.
The war so far has cost Italy some
"a. 900 600. Of which sum little over
one third has been obtained thru war
loans subscribed by its own people.
Notwithstanding these popular sub
scriptions and increased taxes, the ma
tional savings bank shows decided
increase OF deposits. These deposits
July !. 1915. were slightly over $500
oOaL 900 and Jan. 1. 1917. they had IN
.ao..5 Nv scS 01O 600
While Italy has officially placed but