South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-25
j. s. SOLDIERS
To FIGHT At
ITALY''S SIDE
See'y of War Baker Tells ItaI-
ians That American Forces
Will Soon Battle at
Italians Side.

NEW YORK, May 25.-Sec'y Of
War Baker announced in an address
here Friday night in celebration Of
Italy day, that American infantry,
American machine gun units and
American artillery soon would be
lighting shoulder TO shoulder with
the Italians on their front
The feature of New York city's
celebration of Italy day was a meet
ing Friday night in the Metropol-
tan opera house, at which the chief
speakers were Secy Of War Baker.
Count Macchi di Cellere, the Italian
ambassador. and Charles z. Hughes
president of the Italy-American So
ciety, which arranged the nation
wide demonstration 70 mark the
third anniversary Of Italy's entrance
into the war.
The audience applauded at every
mention Of sympathy and coopera-
ton between Italy and the United
States, and there was great applause
when a letter from Pres't Wilson
was read expressing his admiration
for Italy Col Roosevelt also paid
homage to the Italian nation and
20 the Italian army for their brill
liant and heroic record for the last
three years in a letter read at the
meeting.
Pres't Wilson expressed his re-
greet at being una BILE to voice in per
son his admiration for the great
Italian people who are engaged
with US in the great struggle now
going forward for securing the
rights OF free men"
Friendship for Italy.
THE friendship Of America for
Italy has always been deep and
cordial" said the presidents letter
I'VE have welcomed TO this country
with a very genuine welcome mil
lions of Italians who have added
their labor and genius 10 the rich
ness of American life. and this new
association with the Italian people
in a struggle which has given TO
men everywhere the sense Of COM
munity of interest and comradeship
Of right more intensely than they
ever had it before, will serve to
strengthen that friendship still more
and crown the many happy recol-
lections of the association Of the
two countries in thought and feel
ing.
Il am sure that I express the sen-
timent of the whole country when
I thus express my admiration for
Italy and my hope that increasing
ly. in the days to come we may be
ono bIad 20 move our friapdcbip in
every substantial way"
Asserting that the Italy-America
society by voicing the sentiment of
the American people wished to give
the lie to German propagandists
and to express appreciation of
Italy's deeds at arms, AIR. Hughes
added that we hope the day will
come when American soldiers viii
tread the soil of Italy to bear our
greetings"
Americas Heart Speaks.
ION this anniversary the heart of
America speaks to the people of
Italy" said Mr.. Hughes The en-
trance of Italy into the war was
victory of the people of Italy when
with Overwhelming force they
voiced the national Will"
"Rallying from the reverse suf-
fered when the enemy concentrated
treason and violence in the offensive
on our front the Italian armies will
advance from the Piave to the true
boundaries of italy" declared Count
di Cellere in "A speech, in which he
referred TO the assistance the Italian
Red Cross offered TO the United
States during the Civil war. "a
courtesy which is returned TO as tt-
day with touching generosity By
the American Red Cross"
IT consider it a great privilege to
be called upon to express the senti-
ments which gladden. the heart Of
every Italian" he continued, while
beyond the sea the armed forces of
my beloved country are facing on
the fields Of France by the side of
American and allied soldiers, the
enemy which other forces Of ours
have been confronting during the
last three years along the lofty
ridges OF the Alps and on the banks
Of a river now sacred in the annals
Of Italian heroisnl." said the count
Victory smiled for three years
on our army which was renewing