The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-22
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRES.
Business Opportunities in Italy

The manufacturing interests of Richmond
must have read with considerable interest the
letter of Basil L. Walters, editor of the Am
bulance Service News in Italy, regarding the
friendly attitude of the Italians toward Ameri-
can-made goods. Mr.. Walters was formerly a
news writer on the Palladium and his observa-
tions and conclusions may be accepted at their
face value.
Italy he says, is in the market for vast
amount of American-rnade tools and machinery
of all kinds. The Italian manufacturers at pres
ent are not looking toward future conditions. but
to satisfy present conditions are, forced to pur-
chase many tools as requirements for their es-
adjustments.
For instance, Mr. Walters calls attention to
the paucity of linotype machines and parts. The
owners of the plant in which the Ambulance Ser
vice News is printed have made frantic efforts to
obtain folding machine in the United States
Almost all print shop supplies, in fact, almost all
machinery and tools used in Italy came from Ger
many before the war. The made in Germany
mark is to be found on almost all the equipment
in Italian factories. Italy, because she lacks coal
and mineral deposits, is forced to buy her ma
chinery from other nations. The Italians wish to
carry out their boycott against German-made
goods and are sincere in that determination, but
as Mr.. Walters points out, necessity knows no
law and if the United States and the other allied
nations do not quickly send commercial repre-
sentatives, Italy will be forced against her own
will to reopen trade relations with Germany.
This condition calls for instant action on part
of America Millions of Italians have come to
this country and made it their home, thus es-
tablishing bond Of blood between the two ma
tons Nothing would please the men and women
of Italian descent more than if our country would
succeed in furnishing their native land with the
machinery and tools it needs. Our manufacture
ers should capitalize at once on this friendly re-
lationship.
Mr.. Walters points out that delay will be
fatal to American supremacy in the Italian field
He also shows that American manufacturers and
business men must accept the Italian business
methods.
The instance he cites in which New York
house insisted that reliable Italian concern de-
post purchase price in a New York bank before
shipment would be made to Italy, illustrates how
ignorant most of are regarding business
methods in Italy. American business interests
should have representatives in Italy to obviate
ell such embarrassing situations and to seize
every opportunity to obtain orders.
The exposition of Italian business conditions
by Mr. Walters is an excellent one and the manu-
featuring concerns of our city might find profit
able outlet for products by developing the Italian
trade Richmond has a large Italian colony
which demonstrated it's loyalty to the United
States during the war by more than one signifi-
cant act These men are in touch with their
native country and might be able to furnish the
Commercial club and manufacturers with vau-
able data, or put them in touch with trade lead
ers in Italy