Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-01

ARTS. Dec. 1S-CBy Mail One of the strik-
- ing proofs of the new unity of the Italian
Il spirit, following the collapse and invasion
of October and November, is the manner in which
hitherto elements in Itay have rallied against
the German:
Because the influence of the German behind
the-lines in Italy has been enormous.
Because at the front the presence of German
troops mingled with the Austrians has been frank
ly feared.
So far as a stranger to the country can dis
cover the sources of the German influence in Italy
have been three in number, each with ramltlca.
lions. The commercial and financial power OF
Germany in Italy has been very great Germany
not ONLY stood as Italy's friend in international
complications, but by system of controlling Glo-
litti-who controlled the jobs-which confronted
acknowledgements had seat at the ltaIlan
political table. Germany had innumerable friends
in the organization of the Catholic church in Italy
1t is needless to say this organization has immense
power. ,.,
for Great Britain and for France to have the fact
plainly stated that Italy Infinitely more friend
ly before the war with Germany than with any one
of these states. But it do no harm to make this
statement bIuntly except to the feelings of those
people who like to fool themselves 1t may DO the
three states named some good to realize that ire
boot-strap elevator gets no country over polu-
cal fence; that if they to compete with Ger
many after the war they must display at least the
intelligence and industry that Germany does.
why did Italy like Germany / asked
prominent banker in Rome
Germany helped US, said he. NO douDt she
took her profit, but-she helped.
Great Britain invested very little money, rela-
lively speaking, in Italy before the war. What
money she did invest she invested on her own
terms Broadly speaking, the Briton is a most
satisfactory man to do business With. He is honest
and conscientious and truthful But he Is not
obliging and he is not polite. The Briton and the
Italian found infinite difficulty in understanding
each other The Briton would not vary his terms
The Italian was unable from stress OF circum-
stances to meet the Britisher's demands
But" asid the Roman banker quoted, the
lis
The German took good interest charge 1T is
true but the Italian merchant, used to dealing
with rather slow-pay customers, did not mind that
He figured it all in the monthly bills. the trench
invested rather less than the English did. mere
is a similarity of manner and underStahulhS De
tween the Frenchman and the Italian, but there
is also history of centuries of war and
hate 1t is not so long since France deliberately
offended Italy in matter of important politics.
Neither the Englishman the Frenchman was
really liked in Italy before. the war or the two
the Englishman perhaps the more popular.
The German pursued his peaceful penetration
scheme here he has elsewhere. It was sue
cessfu in Italy, 1t has been elsewhere, ana as
Il always will be until his competitors get busy
AT the game of competition. The great German
instrument was the BanCa COmerciae OF Milan,
but to 1t added thousands of individual Ger
mans who established themselves all over Italy, got
into intimate relations with their trades, and saw
to it that their customers got what they wanted
when they wanted it and on terms they could
stand .-
The Ranca Comerciale of Milan is the spider
in this web of commercial intrigue, the smile be-
ing most respectfully intended, for | know of no
charge of improper conduct brought against this
bank although and windy allegations float
on every side What to be the basic truth
is that wears ago three German Jews went to Milan
and established a bank. 1t we'll and enter
several times been enlarged, until it is the
dominating financial establishment of Italy. 1t has