New-York tribune., 1918-01-20
What viii Italy Do9
By the Reu. Bertrand NJ Triple
Board Of Foreign Missions, Methodist Episcopal Church

Piave. The fact that her armies have held on
the Piave is eloquent testimony to their spirit.
She has paid a bloody price for it, but she
has done it. Nothing in the history of
the can surDass the valor, the doggcd
tenacity Of her troops during the retreat and
the subsequent weeks Of fighting.
The disaster was due first of all to over
wheming numbers of the enemy, and per-
hhps to overconfdence on the part Of Italy.
Cadorna announced officially to the nation,
day two before the blow, that he was
ready. A small section of the line, just where
the enemy got through, had been affected by
pacfst propaganda. A minority group of
Italian radicals and a larger group of cleri-
cal pacfsts had been hard at work BY some
mysterious route their words were dissent
mated in the trenches The Popes last peace
note, which also went to the soldiers, carried
a rather potent pacifst influence.
AS soon as the disaster occurred the radi-
Gals tried to shift all responsibility onto
the Vatican. It had placed Benedict Ky in a
difficult position in regard to the state. The
net result Of the advance has been to unite
;he country more strongly than at any period
since the spring of 1915
The Spirit of Mazzini
In October happened to be in Pisa for
few hours. | wandered around through the
silent cortle and corridors of the univer-
sity. Students and professors are at the
front. Posted in the entrance is long list
Of those dead on the field of battle. The
same old story. From the days of Altieri and
Leopard the Risorgimento has been kept
alive by the universities. The spirit of MAJ
Zini, of Garbadi, led Italy into this war has
sustained her in heavy sacrifices and ! be-
lieve will hold her true to the victorious end
Only look out that Italy is not starved.
The Orlando ministry is not considered
overstrong. Orlando is above everything.
else an opportunist. Nitti, the Minister Of
Finance, has made some strong speeches and
likewise one or two milk-and-water ones
Both of these men the creation of GioIitti
both arc ambitious, and, fancy, both would
not mourn deeply if the old boss should pass
away. This is not unlikely, for Giolitti is an
old man
Some months ago, wher the Orlando min
istry assumed the power, Giolitti came down
to Rome from Turin for the opening Of Par
lament. 1t was his first appearance in Rome
since he and Won Bulow were driven out by
d'Annunzio and the mob in May of 1915
The lnterventonists headed BY the "Corriere
della Sera" of Milan, Immediately raised
warning cry.
My own impression is that the return of
Giolltti to Rome at this tine was due to
Orlando's sincere desire to show to the enemy
q united, solid front. The Austro- German
had broken into Neneto and the situation was
serious. Both Salandra and Bosseli, cx-
Premers, were also present
Sonnino the Minister Of Foreign Affairs. is
ltaly's strongest man. He is not party man.
His ability, integrity and patriotism are un-
questioned. But he has powerful enemies.
among whom counted the Giolittians.
England and France trust him Implicitly
They would consider it a misfortune if he
were thrown overheard. But that very move
is a possibility.
At the present moment America IS the pop
ular nation in Italy When she speaks Italv
listens.