Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-01
UNITY Of THE ITALIANS
IS CALLED PHENOMENAL
Premier Orlando Wins Striking
Success in His Discussion Of
Socialist Peace Proposals.

BY TANCRED ZANGHIERI.
Cablcgram to The Evening Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1917.
MILAN. Italy, January 1.-The re-
sistance OF the army and tho unity of
the country are phenomenal and reas-
surfing, the sole elements of doubt being
the conduct Of the chamber Of deputies
and the energy of the government. To-
day the parliamentary situation may
perhaps be faced with full confidence,
since Premier Orlando has won a striIs-
ing success, based not on a parliament
tary cabal. but on things done and
ideas expressed.
For a number of days while the
chamber was holding its secret sessions
the country was dominated by restless
ness, caused by the efforts of certain
elements always contrary to the war
and against Sonnino and Bissolati. This
group consists of the followers of Gio-
litti. and some self-styled radicals. who
without having any distinct policy. act
in accord with the group of official So
cia1ists. But the menace disappeared
for the opposition did not dare to take
the responsibility Of working openly
against the government and lacked
moral character.
Maneuvers Disgust the Majority.
These parliamentary ma1,euvers dur
ing the magnificent resistance OF tho
army disguised the majority, who re-
acted energetically. When tho other
day the socialist deputy. Mergari, dared
to ask the government to take the ini-
tiattve tor q general peace. Premier
Orlando interrupted him twice. The
frst time he declared that II seemed to
him that such q peace could result
only from interior disagreement and
DISCRIMINATION. The second time whom
Msrgari affirmed that Germany sin-
cere1y desired peace he remarked that
by the German generals treating with
Russia This apt comparison was re-
ceived with exclamation.
Premier Orlando concluded the dis
cuseion with truly remarkable dis
course because 1t testified to his COM
plete grasp of the necessities in tho
conduct of the war. Orlando had been
accused of being extremely lenient
even to men secretly opposing the war
or INDUCING in what IL called war
sabotage. He admitted in his address
that the socialist propaganda was re-
sponsible for the defeat Of tho armies
These socialists he said were not O
party but an association Of criminals.
Socialit Peace q German Creation.
Referring to the socialist peaoe plan,
b pointed out that would have meant
treating with Lenine and Laebknecht
and not With the 0orsnAp eenerals He
affirmed that the socialist peace was
q German creation like asphyxiatine
gas and the submarine
In the new and energetic attitude
Of Premier Orlando there is seen the
influence OF two factors: One IL the
effect Of the ideas Of President Will
son and the other is tho realiza ton that
cold criticism Of the socialists is USE
less.
This war" he said, "is an immense
revolution. We march toward the
liberty Of people or toward the do
structton OF nations. This revolution
10 stronger than you socialists ana
II u stronger than we axe.~
1tely's objects today are limited by
ton 70 the cause Of ths allies may s.
summed up In tho word sresisks