The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-08-11
ITALY RIPE
CONTINUED Prom Page one.)

tCOnG1uuP0 Eo6O SAOsI
tu,s another Of our offerings in the
cause Of freedom. Five and a quarter
million men went out to battle out OF
| as 0OO, 900 population in 1915. Every
. available man in Italy was called to the
| colors.
! Had America been called upon 10
: contribute this proportion she would
have summoned 100000 men TO arms,
! Italys army was gwen willingly
| eaGerly-on the altar of liberty to bear
witness that right is more precious than
peace.
Before tho war our annual nationa'
| debt amounted TO S3000o00.OO0; our
advent into the war rs seen it rise 70
SIG. oO0, 100000. In comparison with Sh'
| other countries war debts. 1t might MOI
seem stupendous but when keeping -
mind Italys resources. II represents me
greatest sacrifice Of them all. lta!Is
national wealth aggregated but $2O'Ve"'-
/ 600 900. We surrendered all but OLE
fourth Of II in the war. and had W."
been called upon for further sacrifices
we would have willingly given, even TO
the limit Of our existence.
Italy entered the war accepting all
: its sorrows and ell its dangers. Sew
eral times she was on the point OF fall
ling. Italy. contrary to the spirit Of thu
treaty concluded with the allies. re-
maincd long time alone against
Austria Hungary, facing one OF the
! greatest armies Of the world. outnum'
| boring that of Italy by 100000 men.
more powerful in artillery and stronger
| in strategic position.
Our military forces during those try
ing days fought with spirit unham-
pcrcd. hardship and privation. due 20
! chic difficulties. as regards supplies and
/ transport. were overcome so magniti-
emily that the world stood aghast at
Inc lIcrculcan achievements in engi-
Inccring accomplished by our forces op-
| Grating in the cold, snow-capped Alps
and along the bitter, frigid Piavc.
There vas not one atom Of endeavor
that we withheld in seeking victory.
We gave our homes. our youth. our
wealth. our all. that small nations
might exercise their right OF govern
ment, that the sclf-detcrmination OF
peoples might be perpetuatcd.
Long years in the trenches made the
men Of the allied armies returning 10
civil life nervous and restless. We sec
evidences OF it all over the world. We
have had sporadic cases Of unrest in
Italy, but none serious enough TO war
rant undue alarm All attempts at gen.
eral strikes have proven to be great
failures. The Italians are settling down
to the realization that the guarantee OF
the future Of their country Is 10 b.
found in greater production of human
economic wants and a return 10 norma!
commercial conditions"
1.-THE problem Of tho high cost Of liv-
ing will be brought near solution when
the industrial groups have accepted this
and long
as this feeling per1neates the mass OF
the italian people fear Of revolution
of Asiatic Bolshevism will be unfounI-
ed.
ITO insure this greater production we
find ourselves handicapped by short
age Of material with which TO rccoup
our industries and resume our normal
operations. Be assured that when once
the channels of TRADE begin TO assume
their ordinary functions and Italy re-
ceives the raw material and food ncccs-
sary to keep her Industrial processes in
operation there need be no countenanc-
ing Of disaster or violence within the
country.
Intermittent isolated cases Of vio-
lence with which Italy has been visited
during recent months have been the re-
suit Of reaction from Il war to peace
basis and thekCfore 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. My cherished ambition is
that the workmen's leaders should parti-
cipate in the affairs OF government. per-
Z scvering persistently 10 solve the prob
lens uf Increased production and better
living conditions for the families OF
workers.
These would constitute vcritablo
/ bulwark against the violent intransi'
= geants whose like have been asserting
themselves in all parts Of the world Il
it sound policy that strict guardianship
Of public order must be assured. There
is no democracy without order
oar war debt of $4,000. 900 is
: being met with fortitude and stoicisn
Y that belittles the gigantic efforts OF
E other countries. The nation. TO pay fol
this war; Is grooming under the burden
but it is bearing it with great dctcrmi'
nation. Our last budget aggregated
nearly $4,000. 900. 900 so that the annua
= per capita tax for every man. woman
, and child in Italy arproNlmatcs As.
, believe that figure challenges the RECORD
. for high taxation in any allied country
= but We hope to be able to r"ducc Tn,
, budget TO about one and 4 half billion
dollars.
? despite our high taxation during th'
war another measure which Will insure
| our financial stability is before the c"un
= try. We arc arranging for the Cull'c
h tion Of additional taxation in tho foru
. Of q progressively graduated levy on III
comes. Announcement Of the cabinet
purpose in this direction had it's imm"
a diate effect on government sccurltir:
v which have increased in value ever sine
r this program was made public.
HOur COURAGE furinI. orr debt.
Hope will be rewarded by national inan
n cial Armness which Will stand unqu3s
% toned. We purpose 10 begin, az earl
n as Is consistent With sound cconomi
commercial policy. a genuine reductio