New-York tribune., 1918-06-15
Americas Italians
I'm Roman Legion
To Fight Foes Lies
Nationwide Organization
to Wage Warfare Against
Propagandists

Citizens of Italian birth or descent
from leading cities of the United States
organized yesterday as the Roman Le-
gion of America. They met in the
rooms of the Italian Chamber of Com
merce, 203 Broadway. The legion was
organized for patriotic purposes gener-
ally, and particularly to counteract the
malicious campaign Of falsehood con-
Quoted by German propagandists to de-
ceive Italians.
The organization will be nationwide.
Each delegate will act as chairman of
the committee formed in his home city
and through which the main organiza-
ton will act in local campaigns. Oper-
ations will be directed by the presi-
dent of the legion. and in the grand di-
visions of the country by vice presi-
dents--two for the East, one for the
Middle West and one for the West. The
executive function will be vested in a
body composed of the vice presidents,
the local chairmen and an advisory
council.
eve can't forget our fighting men"
said Justice John ]. Freschi, of Special
Sessions, who presided; "nor should
we allow conditions to arise that tend
to discourage them or permit dis
them any more than we should permit
them to be worried for any reason,
even for a moment.
Must Crush Disloyalty
"Our work demands that we crush
disloyalty and sedition, no matter
where it may be found. If we fail in
this regard and allow the pernicious
propaganda to go on unchecked we
shall be at the mercy of the Hun
agents some day, just as Russia is to-
day.
lily. It's paid and volunteer agents are
found secretly and cunningly engaged
in dark places, from which they dis
seminate their lies; and imagine what
a shock it is to discover that some of
them hide behind and exploit their
American citizenship! Some Of the
agstators foment trouble. excite strikes
to cripple. industry, refuse to help the
government factories, steal formulas
and manufacturing secrets, discourage
the raising of funds for American and
Allied flags and in devious ways seek
to poison the public mind against the
American government.
"There are no racial considerations
now. We must merely concern our
selves with the measure of a mans
work, and divide men as to those who
do and those who do not We pledge
to give our best to the American Re-
public"
Resolutions Pledge Loyalty
Resolutions pledging loyalty and of.
fering the services Of the Roman lie.
gion of America to meet "Hun lies
with truth were adopted, and copies
will be sent to President Wilson, Gov.
ernor Whitman, Mayor Hylan and the
Committee on Public Information. The
organization pledges itself "individu
ally and collectively to assist America
and to arouse the interest Of our people
and mould opinion in the justice O.
the cause of America"
Speaking tours and a general cam
paign of education were decided upo1
as efticacious weapons at the commant
of the legion. Other suitable methods
of publicity will be adopted.
Representatives were present from
! Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, St
Louis, New Orleans, San Francisco
Baltimore, Buffalo, Rochester, Provi
dence, Detroit and other cities HfTh
clergy of each city was represented
and Monsignor Arcese was elected
| vice president to act as the representa-
! tive of the clergy in the executiv
body. Other officers elected we're: D1
Antonio Stella, president; A. P. Clan
mini, r. Brsgno and Stefano Miele
| vice presidents; Professor Vittori
Racca, secretary. and Joseph N. Fran
! collnl, treasurer