Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-01
THE ITALIAN RETREAT
INSIDE STORY OF ITALY'S PART IN THE WAR-Vll.
BY Herb ert Corey

a branch bank in every large city and repre-
sentative in every town of Italy large enough to
need banking business
Most of the shares 1of- this bank stand in Ital
ian Most of ,thecapital is Italian capital.
But the three German Jews still control its policy.
1t is persistently alleged that this policy in
wolves the favoTing of German enterprises to the
disadvantage of those of England, France, Amer
lea; that Italian bankers manufacturers, and mer-
chants dominated by the Banca Comerciale
that they are apt to see through its spectacles;
that it has it's up to the elbows in Italian
politics, and that its three rulers pull the strings
that make many a parliamentary puppet jump;
that it openly eXerted its influence to keep Italy
out of the war because of the harm to business"
/ only know that these things and more are
commonly believed. 1t is that before the
this bank was the representative of all the great
German financial and commercial interests, and
that now-today-a part of the funds of the Amer
lean embassy are deposited in it; that the Ameri-
Red Cross banks in part at least through it;
that British officers notified that their checks
will be hOnored anywhere in Italy by the branches
of the Banca COmerciale That it is German N
tone is But its managers say that German
investments made through it simply because
it the great international financial house
of Italy.
At aIf events. in the few years preceding the
war Germany invested $500 900 600 N Italy. That
stream of gold had much to do in changing Italy
from very poor country to one which was begin
ming to be prosperous.
Italy's largest international trade balances
were with Germany and with her enemy-ally,
Austria
WIDE RAMIFICATIONs.
Her steamship lines are generally believed to
be very largely German owned. 1t is a fact which
may have some significance, that three of the
largest of these lines have suffered no loss by tor
pedoing since the war began. Not only were her
commercial relations near enough to Justify the
friendship which assuredly eXsted-and which has
now been put a check to, at least, by the invasion
but there thousands of German residents in
Italy who have not been disturbed at all. Only
lately friend of mine applied at small hotel in
Rome.
which confronted him.
wee do not" said the hostile face, yery dis
tnctly, "dake de verdammt Highlander n dis
hotel
On the political side the resident Germans
and as local commentators say, the Banca Conner
ciale-were able TO largely control the action of
~ how that sort of thing is done The banker and
the merchant and perhaps the editor speak to the
cOngressman-and. hey presto. the thing is done!
1t is easter in Italy. Dictator" GiOlitt has
ruled parliament for years by the SpOils system.
He peddles jobs. He never fOrgets his friends
He makes good when he saws he will The
operation of a well-dsciplined and financially
erful German element must have been great aid
CiOitti. He has never bothered to. hide his pro-
Germanism, although there are those who say that
the present crisis he will forget politics and be-
a patriot.
Italy has always hated and feared Austria. but
whenever, as has several times happened. that
pleasant partner in the triple alliance basket was
discovered trying to steal the Italian eggs, Ger
many stood Italy's friend. There cyncs who
say that Germany put Austria up to her tricks. in
order to save Italy from them and thus make sure
look surprisingly that But Italy did not
the bug under the chip. She had real affection
for Germany before this broke out.
These unpleasant things to hear. and
therefore by all the rules of publicity in this war
they ought not to be printed. But they happen to
be true. They make all the more wonderful that
fine spirit of natonalism which is leading Italy to
forget old prejudices in great new fame of