The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-06-04
BIC VAR RALLY
HELD IN BARRE
LAST EVENING
Continued from first page }

ed States as well as In Vermont towns
and cities, lie spoke in particular OF
the war chest movement in Montpelier,
where more than 500 giyers were repre-.
scented in last weeks Red Cross subscrip.
ton of S. 1000, while seven or eight citi.
zens, he added, contributed the bulk of
Montpclier's Sl700 subscription year
ago The speaker also paid tribute 10
the Red Cross and called attention 10 the
fact that its mission Of mercy began IN
Italy with Italians as its sponsor,
Colonel johnson addressed a Barre au.
dience for the first time, but he made a
distinct impression in his plea for the
adoption of the war chest. He, too,
stressed strongly the fact that contrihu.
tions must be made intellectually aud
by the wholesale il the war chest is TO be
a success. In few words especially di.
rected 20 the children, he urged them TO
subscribe, even though they contribute
only pennies, in order that they might
have share in the glorious work of win
ming the war
The state director of the war stamp
campaign. Fred A. Rowland, was the
next speaker, and while he did not speak
at length, his remarks were fired with
patriotism and his appeal for united ac-
tion in the war chest campaign was
warmly received Mr.. Rowland dwelt at
some length on the work which the Red
Cross is doing, but spoke more in par
ticular of the necessity OF maintaining
the morale of the soldiers who are fight
ing our battles over there. Italy and
America, he said, are fighting for the
same principles. Each had its war for
liberation and in many other respects
the two nations are fighting common
cause. People who remain at home have
paramount duty to perform in supply
ing the sinews with which the men at
the front are to win our battles. The
speaker urged mothers, sisters and sweet
hearts to write CHEEKY letters to their
fighting men in France and Italy and in
stanced notable example of what com
planning at home will do to the morale
Of an army.
There was big audience of Italian.
speaking people gathered about the band
stand, and the introduction of Attorney
Franceschini was followed by an impul-
sive demonstration on their part. Attor-
new Franceschini spoke in fluent Italian.
and his voice carried to the outskirts OF
the crowd. He was frequently inter
rupted by applause, but when the weight
of his eloquence did not generate noisy
enthusiasm, his audience followed him
carefully. The speakers gifts of oratory
were revealed most advantageously as he
told the story OF Italy's splendid sacrifice
in the war for democracy and ended by
urging all Italian speaking people to give
their undivided support TO the war chest
He spoke in part as follows;
The wear 1914 marked an era in hui
man history of similar import to that
of the French revolution. In that strug
gle was eliminated the privileges OF no
biity and the medieval conception Of
rights; now we are witnessing and are
the actors in struggle which is to de-
eide whether liberty and equality among
men or autocracy shall rule. History
shows that throughout the centuries all
wars brought about better and more just
conditions of living for the peoples OF
the world, and we shall never despair
over the final outcome Of the present
struggle, because victory will be with
the allies and on the side of liberty.
The militaristic classes of Germany
saw the handwriting on the wall, and
they knew that their power was to be
torn away from them by the ever in
ereasing wave of democracy; hence for
10 years they prepared for the war,
which if the issue should be victory.
would perpetuate the power in their
hands and keep the masses satisfied
with the laurels OF victory and the spells
of the conquered peoples. They were
preaching peace while preparing for war,
and the killing OF the archduke, Ferdi-
nand, offered them the pretext for the
confagration. Had that not have hap
pened, something else would have given
sufficient reason, because to tyrants
there is no lack of opportunity of start.
ing a quarrel.
italy, faithful to an unnatural ALI
ance which for 30 years imposed upon
her only burdens and no advantages, did
not hesitate to break it when the pur-
pose for which she had joined came to
failure. The purpose of the alliance hid
been, for Italy the preservation of peace,
Of which she had need in order to develop
her resources; and this condition of peace
had been broken by her allies, who want
ed to conquer world unprepared for
struggle She was urged to join her for
mer allies in their attack on civilization.
She refused. Her neutrality was desired
ana material advantages were PiohiisNd
if she would only keep out of the field.
Italy saw her way; to the advantages OF
neutrality which would have enriched her
and saved her from the horrors of war,
she preferred war on the side of human
ity and democracy against the treaty
breaking barbarians. Italy joined the
allies when the hour was very dark, and
her entrance into the war saved Russia
for the time being from a drive then di-
rected against her, just as her friendly
neutrality during the first year of the
war permitted France her victory at the
Marine. For two years she fought Veto
riously on unfavorabe ground, and her
soldiers earned the admiration of the
world for their daring and their acts OF
heroism Then misfortune befell her.
The Teutons, after finding they could
not match the bravery of Italy's soldiers,
succeeded in reaching their ends by ly
ing propaganda, which poisoned the
minds of the soldiers into believing that
peace was prevented by the selfishness
of Italys new allies and by a government
which had betrayed the people TO France
and England. But defeat of the army
did not break the morale of the nation.
and to-day a strong and recognized
army is facing the enemy at the Piave
line, eager to meet the hated oppressor
= ~ EatI