The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-30
ITALIAN MORALE IS
NOW AT TOP NOTCH
Editor Of Independent Says Mischief
From Austrian Inroads Has
Been Undone.
ARE NOT DEMoRALIZED
Admits That Conditions Everywhere
In Europe Are Rad Toiay--Fvery-
one Determined tn Push War
Through TO Victorious End.

New York. juno 2a.--The morale
OF tie Italian people is now at the
top notch. according to Hamilton
Holt. editor OF the Independent. who
has Just returned from italy. where
he was sent as a representative or
the Italy American society. AT the time
when the seriousness OF the inroads
OF the Germany propaganda of that
country was first impressed upon the
American people. Mr.. Holt said the
mischief which had reached Its climax
with Austrian invision last October
has been undone
Mr.. Holt said
ANY impression that the italian peo-
tple are suffering from extreme priva-
ton and are on the verge OF demoraii-
nation 10 utterly erroneous OF course
the condition everywhere in Europe is
bad today. FNery nation that has
ibeen at war for three years is suffer
ang and suffering acutely, but nowhere
VI went did ! ste indications of ex-
trcme restitution or did l find any
where among any class OF the people
anything but determination to push
the war to the ond and a firm belief
that 1t would end In overwhelming
victory for Italy and her allies,
Il was particularly impressed with
the statements of some of our own
troops on the western front who are
stationed in contact with the Italian
e1peditfonary force there. our boys
report that the Italian privhtes are
eager to get at the foe. They express
impatience with their officers because
they are not allowed to charge the
German lines This spirit exists among
the troops OF northern Italy
They feel that the only critical
danger in the present situation is that
Germany fought to standstili on the
western front, may leave enough men
there TO hold her Inca for the time
being and turn her attention to italy
with the purpose Of putting Italy out
OF the war and then, reinforced by
Austrian troops. be able to defeat Eng
land and France, In event that Aus
tria. aided by Germany should make
any considerable tnroads into Italy.
there is some danger that the Dolshe-
Wiki spirit In italy might he aroused
and considerable disorganizstion re-
suit.
but the italian people have SUI
rreme confidence that America is com
ing to the rescue ln time TO avert this
danger.
There Is No question now but what
italy looks upon the Unlted states as
a devoted friend President Wilson la
a popular hero IN Italy They believe
their motives are entirely dtsinter-
ested
"ongclals and people altk~ are urged
that the United states send troops to
italy. They look upon this not only
as a final proof Of Americas friend
ship and a means of furtherins the
Unity of the allied forces. hut as a
needed reinforcement by troops for
whose ability sF fighters they have the
profoundest respect
Put Il Ia not merely for aid while
the war is gotnK on that Italy is
locking to America Germany through
the wears ~ the triple alliance has
spread her economic roots throughout
the whole Industrial and commercial
fabric az italy TO such an cent that
6espite the three years Of host lily ard
the efforts that have been put for
ward 10 tear out these roots, many
OF them stu remain. when II comes
to the period 81 rehabilitation after the
war Italy hopes that the United tSatcs
will take the place ~ Germany In her
Industrial, commercial and financial
life Her great need from this cop0-
trv ID raw materials Business men in
Italy with whom I talked predicted
that unless the United states ga come
TO the rescue IN this way, after the
war the remaining roots of tn" Teu-
tonic economic penetration would re-
vive and there would he reaction
which would tend once more to put
italy under the economic thratdom Of
the central powers. which sho has
heen working SO hard 10 threw OF.