Evening star., 1918-05-25
Americans SOON
TO FIGHT IN ITALY
Secretary Baker Makes An
nouncement in New York
Speech.

their front.
At the close of the meeting group
of young Italians presented to Secre:-
tary Baker an American flag which he
announced he would place personally
"in the hands Of the shag-bearers of
the first military contingent of the
United States which leaves to join
the Italian army on the Italian 'front.'.
Recent reports from Rome have
pressing a desire to see American SOL
diers on the Italian front. Oficial
announcement. however. was not CIV
en- until last night by the War De-
partment that the United States would
meet this wish. 1t is presumed that
word of the proposed action was
withheld to form a fitting climax for
the Italy day celebration, when the
people Of Italy and the United States
pledged faith one to the other.
Giving Aid There Now.
In referring to the intention Of the
United States government to send
part of it's fighting forces to Italy.
Mr.. Baker said that there were al
ready in Italy representatives of
THE Red Cross is there" he said.
carrying the message Of our heart
and head to Italy. The Young Mems
Christian Association is extending its
work there. and the American Army
large and Important staff of experts
who are studying Italian methods Of
warfare. and we have sent to Italy
a substantial number of our Army's
Sanitary Corps. SO that we have doc
tors and nurses of the American
Army already there.
But I see, and in the no distant
future. American infantry. American
machine gun units and American
artillery. shoulder to shoulder with
the Italians on their front line.
And the value of that lies. not SO
which we may give; that, of course.
will be in proportion to the number
there: but the value OF it lies that
1t will make Of that portion of the
line what the French portion now Is.
a composite of the civilized nations
and American. fighting together with
community of interests. a COM
munity of sacrifice. a common deter
mination and common courage. in
order that they may secure a COM
mon victory for the benefit of all
mankind"
Speaking Of America. Italy. Great
Britain and France. Mr.. Baker de-
clared I'VE are the young man of the
world of nations.
I'VE are the people who see the
light Of the future. who love liberty,
understand its blessings. and we are
holding its flag to our heart. and
enemies" he continued. Our enemy
in this contest, particularly the Ger
man empire. desired to exchange an
honorable place in the family Of ma
tions for what it impudently called
a place in the sun. No definition Of
that place in the sun would satisfy
the ambitions which led to this ex-
hibition of a desire to attain 1t, un-
less 1t defined that place as an exclu-
sive place between the sun and every
body else.
'Bu' she has her place in the sun.
She is standing out now under the
full glare of the analy33ng sunlight
Of civilized opinion. and 1t exhibits
her ugly and detestable in her inter-
national vices and relations. 1t Is for
tunate for mankind that she has
stepped into the sun.
We have learned at least one kind of
civilization Of which we must beware,
and we have learned the Importance
of carrying this great contest through
to a place in which we can dictate.
not the way the German people shall
conduct their lives. nor the forms Of
government which they may elect to
have over themselves. but to dictate
their behavior In the family of ma
tions. their observance of sacred
treaty rights and the humanitarian
consideration which must be observed
IL civilization is to continue at ALL"
Reads Letter From President.
Mr.. Baker delivered his address in
the METROPOLITAN Opera House. where
the meeting was arranged by the
Italy-America Society. of which
Charles E. Hughes is president. as the
feature of this city's celebration of
Italy day. After the speaking there
was a concert in which Enrico Caruso
and other noted opera singers took
part. Mr.. Hughes read letter from
President Wilson expressing the lat
ter's admiration for Italy; a message
of regrets from Robert Lansing, Sec
retary of State, who could not be
present. and a telegram from Lord
Reading, the British ambassador.
which asserted that I'VE are as one
with Italy in the Arm resolve to carry
on this war to a victorious ISSUE"
President Wilson expressed his re-
gret at being unable to voice in per-
son his Admiration for the great
Italian people who are engaged with
US In the great struggle now going
forward for securing the rights Of
free men,"
THE friendship Of America for Italy
has always been deep and cordial"
said the Presidents letter. I'VE have
welcomed to this country with a very
genuine welcome millions of Italians.
who have added their labor and Re-
MUS to the richness Of American life,
and this new association with the
Italian people In a struggle which
has given to men everywhere the
sense of community of interest and
comradeship of right more intensely
than they ever had 1t before will
serve to strengthen that friendship
still more and crowd the many happy
recollections of the association of the
two countries in thought and feeling.
Il am sure that 1 express the senti-
ment Of the whole country when I
thus express my admiration for Italy
and my hope that increasingly. in
the days to come. we may be enabled
to prove our friendship in every sub
stantial way"
Asserting that the Italy-America
Society, by voicing the sentiment Of
the American people. wished to give
the lie to German propagandists and
to express appreciation of ItaIy's
deeds at arms. Mr.. Hughes added that
I'VE hope the day will come when
American soldiers will tread the soil
of Italy to bear our greetings"
Count di Cellere Responds.
Rallying from the reverse suffered
when "the enemy concentrated trea-
our front. the Italian armies will ad-
vance from the Piave to the true
boundaries Of Italy" declared Count
A. Cellere the italian amho...do. q,