Evening star., 1918-02-10
RAPSCOREY NEWS
OF ITALY IN WAR
-
italian Asserts Correspondent
in France Knows Little of
Conditions in Army.
CITES CALL TO ARMS

10 the Editor Of The Star:
have read some of the correspond
snce sent from Paris to The Star by
Herbert Corey, dealing with the last un-
fortunate military reverses on the italian
front, and the Italian opinion and SEN
timen. concerning the war. Since Tho
Star has been publishing all Mr.. Corey's
rsetorical exploits, I hope it will pub
lsh also q word of protest from an
italian against the unwarranted. unjust.
and, I should say. false charges made
b. him against Italy.
Mr.. Corey assumes to know a great
deal about Italy and the Italians. and
one thing which it Is to be regretted is
that those who do not know both Italy
and Italians mighT give to him more
credit and consideration than he de-
serves. NJ CoreyS opinion and I'M
pressions about our war and our senti-
mentS are thoroughly wrong; what has
been published by him does not represent
the truth. and it is unfair to nation
which has been and still is gallantly
fighting for the cause of right and
civilization
Denies Corey's Statements.
COIey mas MUCH eHupEdSiS III
stating that the Italian population was
not aware of the aims of our war. and
that the people had not been taken into
confidence by the government; that the
italian soldiers were going to the war
without knowing the reason of it; that
Italian officers were Germanlike in treat
ing our soldiers. and so on. 1 wish to re-
mind him Of the fact that Italy entered
the war because the italian people
wanted It, and almost forcing the gov
ernment's hand. That the war was pop
ular in Italy is proved by the enthusiasm
among the soldiers and among the pop
ulation, even in the small villages of
Calabria, Basilicata and our islands. If
Mr.. Lorey, instead of gathering his in
formation in some pacifist or socia1istic
ambient. had cared to go throughout
Italy, and especially in the south. all the
war-loving songs which our peasant
girls and children are singing would
have modified his opinion on the sub
ject.
I do not know whether Mr.. Corey was
in America when Italy declared war and
those who have seen the long line of
young Italians waiting in front of the
Italian consulate for their return trip
and the thousands leaving New York
harbor. may testify of the enthusiasm
Of the Italians for the war
More Hatred in South.
It is absolutely wrong that southern
Italy has less interest in the war than
the northern part. On the contrary there
Is more hatred against Austria in the
heart of the people from the south of
Italy than in anybody else. And may
vouch to this for the reason that am
southern myself and know all the en-
thusiasm that the south of Italy had
for this war against Austria. which, be-
sides being a war of redemption for our
lost provinces (Trento and Tries.e), is
also a war for freedom and rights
against two autocratic powers
As to the relations between officers
and men In the Italian army, especially
at the front. let me tell Mr.. Corey that
he ha6 been misinformed. I was born
and grown up in Italy, I have been liv-
ing for many years in this country. I
have been in Italy and other parts of
Europe in these last two years, and I
have been also with the italian army;
30 I may state, with knowledge of
facts, that the relations between officers
and men in our army are of the most
cordial character. The Italian soldier
looks at his officer as a. father, and the
ofdcer is really father for his men,
At the moment of fight and danger he
10 always at the lead.
What is absolutely a falsehood in Mr.
Corey's statements is that Italy has
never been q nation and that italy is
q bundle of states" / think that the
must be found in Mr.. Corey's lack of
knowledge of ancient and modern his
tory.
There is, 1t is true, among US a GER
tain sentiment or feeling which we call
regionalism." but it Is the same feel
ing as that existing between a Welch-
man and a Londoner in England. a
Partisan and a southern Frenchman in
France, or between the south and the
north in the United States
Italy Wanted War.
italy. wanted the war and she has suf
Tered patiently all kinds of sacrifices for
It Sporadic demonstrations against the
war by socialistic parties cannot be taken
INTO account as the exponent Of the feel
Ing and opinion of a nation Such oc-
curTences happened all over Europe
That Italy had to suffer more than
other nations in this war is true. The
reason must be looked for in our lack of
coal, wheat and other foodstuffs which
had to be imported from other countries.
But 1t cannot be denied by any one that
the whole population has been suffering
nobly with a spirit of self-sacrifices. not
inferior to that Of other nations.
As to the causes which brought us to
the unfortunate days of October and No
vember last, l cannot discuss them here
- 1t is not the proper moment But If
MI Corey goes over the history of this
war he will find out that something SINH
lar occurred also on other fronts
But let US put this aside now O,lr
army has rallied under the heavy blow
and Is now confronting again our heredi-
fary enemy with the old fighting spirit.