Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-26
SURVEY OF ITALIAN ART
REMOVED BY AUsTR|ANs
Practically All Church Bells Taken
Away by Invaders Because OF
Copper and Bronze.
DEMANDS RETURN OF WORKS
Writer Wants Austria to Give Back
Treasures Stolen i'm Recent Great
War and Also in Campaign OF
1866.

NEW YORK. December 25.-(Spe-
al.)-Itulian works of art in Austrian
museums AID galleries should be de-
manded by Italy In return FOR what
Austrian guns and soldiers have de-
stroyed or stolen in tho past four
years, according to Major Hugo Ojetti.
one OF the foremost writers Of Italy.
Major Ojetti is at present in tho re-
deemed territories helping in the work
OF making a survey of the ia ma GcS
and thcfts done by the Austrians.
From Trieste he reports that four
important collections have. been stolen;
| Il famous collection Of about 200 pieces
by Ticpolo and his pupils, which was
presented to tho civic museum several
years ago; from the numiSnatic sec
ton OF the same museum a collection
of $500 coins in gold and silver; two
cases OF tho rarcSt works from the
collection Of tho works of Pctrach in
tho civic library; and, finally. the most
beautiful pieces in the treasure of tho
Cathedral OF San GiuSto-that is. two
silver professional crosses from the
year 500 and four busts Of silver
given as relics TO the cathedral by
Pope Plus II. All paintings and fur
niture have been taken from Mirainar.
in the imperial style. and from the
cupola of san Antonio Nuova and oven
from the little cupola OF Peschcria
Nuova tho costly and beautiful COW
The exact damage done in IStria
and Dalnatia has not been asccrtained
as yet. but from preliminary reports
1t appears that most OF the works of
art have been left intact.
In the regions of Northern Italy
invaded by the Austrians most of the
important works were removed before
the Austrians could lay hands on them.
at Udine, however. and in the region
between tho Tagliamcnto and the
Piavc. partly because of tho obstinacy
- a = q
sion, and partly because of the rapid
lily with which the Austrians did adj
vance. 1t was impossible to remove
many objects of great value. Prncti-
cally all tho bells OF tho churches
were removed by the Austrians be-
cause of their valuable copper and
bronze. Private houses were .emptied
Of an their art objects. From the ca
from the tenth century, the 'Sacra-
Ticpolo. which was on the altar of the
little church of Purity. have been
taken. From the museum Of Udne
twcnty-eight cases containing some of
tho rarest and most valuable works
were removed.
Had udine been under fire the re-
movai of the works would have been
justified. according to Major Ojetti,
on the ground that the removals had
tccn made to prevent possible damage.
Tho Italians, when they entered Go
lections. cvc'rthe important collection
OF books in tie library of the Jesuits,
which rcqui ii much labor Gorilla
was under ci]nstant fire, and the only
way TO SAW the works was to re-
move them at least to Cividaic. Udinc
on tho oth3r hand. was out OF every
limo or fire, and still ii was eulptied OF
everything by the -Austrians.
The only way in which Austria can
recompensc Italy for the thefts and
damage siro hns done, according tc
Major Ojctti. is by returning not only
Italy the objects she took from her
in 1866. Italy wants only that which
is hers. 1--WE ask only for that which
Austria stole from us when she was
mere Victorious and mistress" said
Major Ojetti. Now we are the vie
! tors, but heaven forbid that we should
ask Tor Austrian paintings!"