Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-13
.MARCON| SAYS ITALIANS
WILL PLAY PART TO END
Reverse on Isollzo Aroused Nation
TO Sense of Danger and Stecled
Its Resolve.
COAL, WHEAT. IRON AND STEEL
These Are Principal Needs of Mcdi-
terrancan Country, Says Senator.
Press Censorship Carried Too Far.
Appreciation OF America.
ny SENATOR mAnooSr.
""eOVNH
international News Bureau

international News Bureau
LONDON. August 12.-Italy Is de-
termined to play her part manfuily to
the end. Although the reverse we met
with on the 1sonzo front was. inquest
tionably great disappointment to the
people. who had been led to believe
that the supreme command was fully
confident OF being able to hold its own
against the strongly reinforced troops
or the enemy. its moral effect was
neither so serious nor so encrvating as
many imagined. On the contrary. it
has stimulating effect. 1t aroused
the whole nation TO keen sense of
its danger, and stceled it's resolve. not
only to endure further hardship. but to
mako a strenuous effort to repeat
former Successes.
This spirit is particularly noticeable
among the rank and file. Whatever
may BIO the policy of the high COM
mand. the soldiers themselves hope the
day may soon come for the resumption
OF offensive operations. The tone OF
the army is excellent. Confident of
their ability to hold their own on the
Pinve. where. as all the world knows.
they have the invaluable support Of
their British and French allies, they
await with impatience the hour when
they will counter-attack and carry the
war once more into the enemy country.
We are already driving the foe back.
But while the men are prepared TO
face with cheerful unconccrn all the
vicissitudcs OF war so far as these may
affect them, there Is always tho pos
Sibility that they may be somewhat
discouraged and disheartened If the
civilian populaion--or in other words.
their wives and childrcn-are called
upon to endure greater privutions. The
people arc now on the very severely
,, CO
in fact, for some considerable time.
owing TO the effects OF the enemy's
submarine campaign, which has been
pursued with exceptional vigor in the
Mediterranean. The great Inland sea
has been, and is still. favoritc hunt
ing ground OF the U.boats.
AS the Prime Minister, Sisnor Or
lnndo. pointed out during his recent
visit to London, Italy's main require
ments at the moment are coal. wheat.
iron and steel. There is certain
shortage OF other commodities, but
these are the principals. Tho difficult
Ties in this connection constitute part
of the problem which Signor Crespi.
our food controller. is now In London
endcavorinG to solve.
Not only arc our soldiers bearing
thcir part manfully in this great con-
nict; the civilians are also dong their
share. Our munition factories. for
example are doing wonders.
MuNTrIoS FACTORIES MAKE
GOOD ISoNZO LOSSES
Working very much on the lines OF
similar factories in this country, they
have done much to make good the
heavy losses sustained on the lsonzo
front In regard to equipment and mu-
nitions. =.
Further, the construction OF aircraft
is being carried on with sleepless ac-
tivity and on huge scale for in Italy
the opinion is widely held that air
planes will prove a very powerful. IL
no, the dominating, factor in deciding
the issue OF the war Much as they
have already achieved, stin greater
things are confidently expected from
the famous Caproni bombing machines.
AS regards existing methods, there
are, however, two changes which In
my opinion, are not only e!ninenuy de-
sirable. but imperatively necessary.
The first is a better balanced tone In
the press. especially the Italian press.
Undue optimism, when proved TO be
is apt 10 dcmoralize the
public
Press censorship may be carried too
far. If only favorable news is pub
lished and unfavorable news prohibit F!
ed. the ultimate effect is injurious. 1t
is more than that; ii is dangerous. for
the people resent being mislcd as to
tho true state of affairs. They are
strong minded and stout-h a e Il
enough to face facts, however ominous. |
and disquieting the facts may be. Con- |
cealment merely breeds rumors. un-
easiness and suspicion.
Tho other change which seems to be
most necessary is a much fuller de-
gree OF unity among all the allies.
America is moving very strongly in |
this direction. and in tho Italian Sem !
ate / have not only spoken in favor
OF this idea. but read extracts from
Lloyd Georges speeches. In which he
6cplored the lack of this union. not OF
aims. but OF action This absence O.
cohesion has unquestionably been re-
sponsible for several serious mishaps
which might, without cXaGgeration. be
called disasters.
the moment Is greater and closer CO.
a deplorable and perious lack of fore
OF effort. Cooperation Is absolutely
essential II the pressing problems OF
tonnage. which involves SO many i'm
Of men. munitions, and food supplies
and OF man power are to be speedily
and satisfactorily solved. The fullest
and best utilization of all the allied re-
sources. financial, material. scientiac
and human. Will only be possible when
complete unity Is attained. 1t is the
surest and shortest route to decisive
victory and permanent peace.