Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-11

by th6 Associated PreSs.
ROME, Friday, August S-Fran-
cisco Nitti. the Italian premier. in an
interview today dealt at length with
Italy's efforts in the war and her am
billions for the future. Particular
stress was laid by the premier on
ItalX's desire for closer economic re-
1ations with the United States He
declared that Italy was ripe for ex-
ploitation by American business.
Il fnd no difficulty In speaking
plainly" said Signor Nitti to the cor
respondent. My sentiments toward
America are known to all there.
There cannot be any doubt about
them. have the stern conviction that
one of the essential tasks of my gov
eminent will be the establishment not
only Of most cordial relations with
the United States. but a genuine ad-
mission by the two peoples that there
Is community of ideals and Senti-
mentS directed toward the common
conception of democracy.
Italy's Sacrifice in War.
ut was in the aim to perpetuate
free institutions that Italy threw in
her all. Half million dead testify in
silence more strikingly than any other
evidence of Italy's sterling spirit. A
stitute another of our offerings in the
cause of freedom. Five and a quarter
million men went out to battle out Of
q 5S,000.000 population in 1915. Had
America been called upon to contrib
ute this proportion she would have
summoned 100000 men to arms
Italyis army was given willingly
eargerly-on the altar of liberty to
bear witness that right Is more pre-
cious than peace.
tional debt amounted to $4,000, 000, 900.
Our advent into the war has seen il
rise to $4,000. 100000. Italy's ma
tional wealth aggregated but $780,
eoo,ooo.ooo.
Strikes; High Cost of Living.
Long years in the trenches made
the men of the allied armies return
ing to civil life nervous and restless
We see evidences of IL all over the
world. We have had sporadic cases
of unrest in Italy. but none serious
enough to warrant undue alarm. All
attempts at general strikes have
proved to be great failures- The
Italians are settling down to the
futufe OF their country Is to be found
In greater production Of human eco.
nomfc wants and q return to normal
commercial conditions.
the problem OF the high cost OF
living will be brought near solution
when the Industrial groups have ac-
ceptsd this need for output. To in
sure, this great production We ind
ourselves Handicapped by a shortage
OF material with which to recoup our
Industries and resume our normal op-
erations.
Intermittent isolated cases Of vio-
lence with which Italy has been Wis.
tied during recent months have been
the result of reaction from q war to
q peace basis. and therefore are not
indicative of the normal feeling Of
the italian people. Italy does not
want a revolution. and. above all. her
working classes do not want 1t. Ny
cherished ambition 10 that the work
mems leaders should participate In
the Affairs Of the government. per-
severing persistently to solve the
problems OF increased production and
better living conditions for the fam
HES of workers.
= Per Capita Tax, as.
"oyr war debt Of sixteen billion
dollars is being met with fortitude.
Our last budget aggregated nearly
two billion dollars, 90 that the an
nuaf per capita tax for every man,
woman and child In Italy approxi-
mated $4S. We are arranging for
the collection Of additional taxation
In the form Of progressively gfadu-
ated levy on incomes. We purpose to
begin a genuine reduction In our
paper currency amounting to two
billion dollars.
"Tne interest Of America in italy