South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-24
PAVE WAY FOR
AN UNLIMITED
ARMY FOR j. s.
Sends Messages of Greeting
Upon ItaIy'S Third Ami
verSary of Entrance In
to World War.

WASHINGTON. May "a. - Inc
third anniversary Of Italy's entrance
into the war was celebrated in
Washington Thursday night at a
mass meeting under the patronage
OF Pres't Wilson. and at which Sec'y
Lansing and Count Macchi di Gel
lere. the italian ambassador. were
speakers. Many high government
officials, foreign diplomats and
mem bers of congress attended.
A message from Pres't Wilson ex-
tending fraternal greetings to the
Italian people and bidding them
Godspeed was read by Sec'y Ian
sing. 1t has been cabled TO Ambas-
sador Page at Rome and will be
read throughout Italy tomorrow at
celebrations concentrating the
day three years ago when Italy again
unfurled her battle flag against the
Huns.
The celebration here Thursday
night was the forerunner of many
that are to be held over the country
tomorrow. Observance of Italy day
was requested by Pres't Wilson i'm
a message to the nation last Sunday
and at his direction Italian flags
were raised today on all government
buildings in the United States Gov
ernors of the states also have or
dered the flying of the red, white
and green emblems tomorrow on
state buildings.
Presidents Message.
Pres't Wilson's message tc the
Italian people follows
II am sure 1 am speaking for the
people of the United States in send
ing to the Italian people warm fra
ternal greetings upon this. the an
niversary of the entrance of Italy
into this great war in which there
is being fought out once for all the
irrepressible conflict between self
government and the dictation Of
force. The people of the United
States have looked with profound
interest and sympathy upon the eff
forts and sacrifices of the Italian
people. and deeply and sin
cerely interested in the present
and future security of Italy. and are
glad to find themselves associated
with a people to whom they are
bound by so many personal and
intimate ties in a struggle whose OBJ
ject is liberation. freedom. the
rights of the weak as we'll as the
strang, and the maintenance Of JUS
tice by the irresistible force of free
nations leagued together in the de-
Tense of mankind. With every in
creasing resolution and force we
shall continue to stand together in
this sacred common cause.
America salutes the gallant king
dom of Italy and bids her Cod
speed"
Worthy Moment.
Sec'y Lansing in addressing the
mass meeting after reading the
presidents message said the ami
versary of a great national decision
is always worthy of commemoration
when it means that a people. re-
CARELESS of the sacrifices, have pro-
claimed their purpose to support
the right.
Three years ago" the secretary
said, Italy made her great decision.
On that day which will ever be
memorable in history, she wrote
across her battle flags the word
Liberty and unfurled them to the
world
since that hour of decision he
continued, the Italians have ccur-
ageously struggled against the leu
tons. Today the presence of the foe
defiles the soil of Italy, but we who
are warning against the same enemy
of mankind have confidence that
the national spirit of Italy and the
genius of Italy's generals will force
back the invaders
In replying TO the presidents
message and to Sec'y Lansing, Count
oil Cellere said he was deeply touch
ed by the fact that the celebration
OF Italy's day was held under the
high patronage of the president of
the United states in the capital of
the nation whose friendship Italy
cherishes and whose moral and ma
terial support in these fateful years
We look upon as sure evidence OF
victory which expects us"
The observance OF Italy's day
throughout the United States" said
the ambassador. strikes a respOn-
sive chord in the heart of every
Italian here and abroad and the
mighty echo will raise above the
direction OF battle as an omen of
victory, for of such echoes Of glory
the hymns of civilized nations are
made"