New-York tribune., 1919-11-25


vaded her territory; England because
she had guaranteed the neutrality Of
Belgium, and would have dishonored
herself by being false to her word
italy was drawn into the conflict by
three reasons-by her sense of idealitv,
by her determination to sacrifice in
herself in order. to oppose monstrous
unredeemed national territory
"ltaly freely chose to suffer 1t
probably was not realize by our allies,
absorbed in their own terrible struggle
that during the war Italy was often
left to fight her battle alone against
all the forces of the Austro- Hungarian
empire. which were superior to us
pas ton, numbers and war material
After the collapse of Russia we strug-
gled alone and conquered"
'Italy was the first to conquer. The
breakup Of the Autsro- Hungarian EN-
pire precipitated the fall of Germany
During the war. Italy suffered the
greatest Of privations. She had the
smallest quantity Of food and fuel and
bore all sorts Of hardships. Thousands
Of Italians lost all that made life dear
20 them. but voluntarily, with their
eyes open, they entered the awful
struggle for the fulfillment Of the
noblest ideals and aspirations.
Calls for American Aid
"Now the war has ceased for 8
year. Ever since the Italians have seen
their national aspirations opposed with
hardness and intlexibility which
wounds them profoundly. l do not
deny that mistakes may have been
made by our statesmen, and have been
made by our press, but the fact re-
mains that all our Allies have gained
from the war infinitely more than Ita ~;
that while Italy for long months has
struggled. thus far il has been unsuc-
cessfully, for her object, which after
all, has merely sentimental value.
"Was it worth while to oppose rs
SO cruelty regarding Fiume? An
lrregu ar situation has arisen both
in Fiume and Delmatia The dis
content which has azed up in our
army and navy is the result OF many
say it solemnly and ly-they
are in great measure due to the con-
duct of our Allies.
81 call with my whole soul upon the
great American public to help US set
tie the thorn. question Of Fiume. The
atest program of Foreign Minister
Iittonl IS SO very moderate that it
ought to be accepted. We absolutely
can yield no further.
Wants No More War
"I have always felt sincere friendship
for America and claim that America
( should be on our side-should help US
escape from this painful situation.
have addressed myself personally TO
/ President Wilson as a friend. sd-
/ dress the American nation also az
have the hateful feeling that the great
American democracy opposes what is
just AS the Adriatic question may
cause new and violent conflict, Italy
oes res to settle it as quickly as pos
sible.
"As I said before, Italy does not de-
sire further wars. Even with the
Jugo-Slavs she wishes to have friendly
relations. They are our neighbors and
must therefore, both in their own in
terests and ours, share in our civili-
zation.
NO country perhaps has greater
courage than Italy in enduring great
sacrifices. Therefore we shall reduce
al our expenses. In q few days 1000,
600 lire of new taxation is 20 be i'm
posed, and we shall launch loan des-
tined to decrease our paper currenc
Add to this the admirable power OF
our people to work. and if America
VIII nave confidence in us and provide
US with raw materials on credit we will
soon pull ourselves together: Soon
our finances will recover and, unless
some new urpropitious event shall
occur, we will be the first country OF
Europe to put our finances into salts
factory shape.
Peace IS First Need
1--WE need peace as the first condi-
ton Of our life-a peace that will en-
able US 10 make great strides in the
world
Il want 70 proclaim aloud that the
imperial5tic tendencies attributed tc
Italy are erroneous. The best men we
produce are men Of democratic ideas
italy is a sane and healthy country
Its only trouble Is the discomfort
among us which is greatly due to the
attitude Of our Allies
"lsrepeat again that we must solve
friends. Do not let the Italian peop e
without delay the Adratic question
which may ferment and, with the fer
ment existing in other parts of Europe
even bring about the tragedy Of an
other war. Italy asks only justice. Do
not hesitate, therefore, to be on her