The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-22


such as the one through which wc
have Just passed. No comparison Is,
therefore. possible.
French and British Intercsts-
The private interests OF Great Brit
ain and France in the war were far
greater than those of italy and Amer
lea, and hence the gains OF the WIS.,
/ tors are also greater.
! Alsace-Lorraine is worth fare more
than the Trentino and Istria. both ge-
! Geographically and In point OF natural
resources, Great Britain has no long
err any reason to fear either Germany
or Russia. What advantage does
/ America derive from the war which
can in any way compare to this Brit
| ish gain?
| The apportioning Of the expenses
| of the war merely in accordance with
the wealth of the allies would not.
therefore, be fair. A composite critic
rion would have to be found which
| would take into account not only the
wealth of each belligerent, but also its
| private interests and gains, in such a
way that the rich would pay more
than the poor, in proportion to what
t they have saved or gained during
the war. There can be no doubt that
/ in this way, were this criterion of
equity adopted. Italy could justly
claim to have her burden lightened by
/ her richer allies. since that burden Is
out of proportion both to her national
wealth and the special interests and
gains for which she has fought.
/ This Is not the place to discuss in
what way this tightening Of burdens
could he arranged Many proposals
might he taken into consideration, of
which the simplest is perhaps that the
debts which Italy has contracted dur
ing the war, with France, Great Brit
ain and the United States, should be
! reconsidered from o generous point of
view. These debts are urgent,
I amounting az they do to about S18.-
100000, even If the government has
not modified the figures in order not
to brighten the nation.
Would Annul Debts.
| In England the Financial Review
economist has already suggested that
the government should annul the
debts contracted by Englands allies
during the war.
1t observed that even IL the capital
thus RENTED ceased to bear interest
1t would be fruitful in friendship, con-
cord, peace and good will between the
nations concerned. all of which are
not only OF moral value, but also,
as has been proven by the war. OF in
estimable economic value. The allies
would perform an act OF humanity
and wisdom il they were to consider
/ Itaiy's position In such e. spirit of gen.
crosby and farsightedness.
The burden that Italy has taken
J upon her shoulders during the war Is
beyond her strength.
She cannot bear it alone. and were
she left to do so, ii is not improbable
that she would have to face serious
financial and political crisis, the conse-
auences of which would not be de-
void of peril for other nations as we'll.
iJustice demands. Ynefsfuft. tffaa itssiy
should be assisted by her richer allies
to overcome these tremendous difficult
tiles. Did she not fight for other ma
tions as well as for herself? Did she
lnot save Europe during the terrible
months which elapsed between the
Russian revolution and the arrival OF
the American reinforcements in sum
GENTLY large numbers to change the
face OF affairs?
What would have happened IL
when Russia had deserted her allies
the Austrian forces held by the Itai-
ians on the lsonso and in the noun
tains had been free to Join the Ger
mans and threw their weight on the
western front?
II by fRhting, Wnetner DeatinS the
4 Auatrians or being beaten by them,
/ italy afforded equally valuable aid
! to the allies, since she kept the main
bodies of Austrian troops busy dur
| ing the most terrible and critical mo-
ments OF the wsole war. The defeat
Of Carporetto, which cost so many mil
| lions was OF greater value to the allies
than the victory OF Gorixa, since the
Austrfans who invaded italy towards
| the close Of 1917 would otherwise have
| invaded France when Russia was un-
able TO- afford any further resistance.
| It does not. therefore seem lacking
I'm discretion to ask our richer and
more fortunate allies to remember the
services rendered by Italy to the COM
lmon cause and the inestimable sac
rifices which these services have cost
her Italy knows that the generation
which has fought in this war. even
I'm the victorious will have to. make
sacrifices which are not outweighed by
Its benefits She knows that the re-
suits of the lives laid down and the
isufferings borne will only be felt In
"A the next generation; she Is ready to
bear her part OF these immediate sac
rifices, and to await the harvest in
patience.
l But she asks her allies to rectify
1.-THE injustice of fortune and TO see
that she alone shall not be condemned
to bear burden passing her powers
burden which would almost amount
TO a death sentence, Is she asking
yr,yfrh?