New-York tribune., 1918-05-24
The Italian Anniversary

Three years ago to-day Italy entered
the World War with a declaration
against Austria. 1t is difficult now to
recall the italian emotions Of that hour,
when, to quote the sneering phrase OF
Prince Won Btilow, "the street won." In
other words, the mass Of the Italian peo-
pie, led by small but earnest group Of
patriotic young Italians" set out to
complete the work Of the Risorgimento
and to give Italy her national frontiers
and her still unredeemed sons.
The purpose and spirit of this young
Italy, were little understood beyond the
Alps. It's first clear expression in the
Tripolitan war led to recriminations in
London and to a tense moment with
France. Yet, fundamentally, this new
stirring of the youth of the Peninsula
was desire to raise Italy from her still
humble estate among the great powers
and to free her from the slavery which
timid foreign policy had imposed upon her.
In May, 1915, the mass of the Italian
people, with nearly ten months Of evi-
dence of the meaning of the world war
before them, decided for the Allied cause.
There had never been the smallest
chance of decision for the Central
Powers. Italian neutrality early pro-
claimed had released the French army
corps modified along the Alps ard in
Africa, without which the Marine could
not have been won. Again, Italian en-
trance into the struggle on the morrow
of the Russian disaster at the Dunajec
gave powerful moral aid, as we'll as
material military assistance, at a dan
gerous moment. So much Italy had
done for the Allies before her first cam
paign had opened.
Since that time the world has been un-
just to Italy in it's appraisal of her diff
cultes and of her achievements. 1t ex-
pected too much; it understood too little;
and there were needed the disappoint-
ments and the disasters which have come
both to Russia and to Britain to make
comprehendable Italian limitations and
measurable failures.
Fortunately we have acquired charity
and something more than charity-just
appreciation of the difficulties of other
countries-through our own experiences
and difficulties in making our tardy prep
arations. The Italian disaster at the
Isonzo last year was the first in series
of steps which brought about not merely
unity of command but unity of compre-
hension between the Allies. In their own
defeat before St. Quentin the British
could better understand the Italian re-
verse at Caporetto. After the delays in
our own preparation we have been able
better to grasp Italy's problems.
And to-day, on an anniversary of very
great Importance in the history of this
war, American respect and sympathy are
alike assured to Italy. 1t is good thing
for the future that Italy, who has given
us so many of her sons, stands with us
in the battle line. 1t is good thing
that IN the League of Nations of the
Western world, now fighting for civiliza-
tion and bound to stand together here
after, Italy is member and full men,
Der. What Italy has contributed to the
war will be better measured hereafter,
but it is plain to see that if Italy had
not fought three years of war on the
Venetian front there would be added to
the weight of Hindenburg's present blow
many Austrian divisions. The collapse of
Russia, which brought misfortune and
defeat to all of US, brought the first mis-
fortune to Italy, and carried the Haps-
burg cannon almost within range of st.
Marks. There is an invaded Italy. as
there is an invaded France. In suffer-
ing and sacrifice Italy is thus repre-
sented.
There is new source of satisfaction
on this third anniversary in the knowl
edge that the Italians have made fair
and equitable arrangement with tho
Southern Slavs, and that henceforth one
problem which weighed large in the
minds of those who looked forward to
a just settlement at the end Of tho
war is thus abolished. While Russia as
sumed the role Of protector and master
OF the Slavs Of the Adriatic and the
lower Danube, Italy necessarily looked
with apprehension to the east coast Of
the Adriatic. But the Russian menace
has alike disappeared from the shores of
the Bosporus and those Of the Adriatic.
And the Italians have wisely and in obe-
dience to the advice Of Mazzini recop-
nized the aspirations and the legitimate
hopes OF the Serbs and Croats and Slo-
venian people between Fiume and the
Gulf Of Cattaro.
To-day America salutes Italy--an
allYs > comrade. 9 nation which has