The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-31
Premier Nitti's New Policy.

IEchiCT NlttiS new EOhtys
The policy of Premier NTH, so far
as it has been disclosed by dispatches
from Rome and Paris, has shown a
thorough recognition Of the internal
economic needs Of Italy and desire
for the establishment of relations with
her cobelligerents In the war that
will assure Italy's future peace and
Industrial development. There is per-
haps in this, as has been asserted, a
departure from the policy of his pred
ecessor, ORLANDO; but the more sig
1ificant. fact Is that through his en-
deavor to carry out his policy the
new Premier has undertaken to meet
not war but peace conditions.
With France the official relations
were undeniably becoming compll-
Gated, and the italian people were
more or less unfriendly. This was
due to the presence of the French
fleet along the eastern Adriatic coast
and to the clash between French and
Italian troops at Fiume. Another
thing that had not made for an ami
cable understanding between the
French and italian peoples was the
circulation in Italy of the report that
France was really back of the opposi-
ton displayed by Jugo-Slavia to the
Fiume settlement and that France
was supporting the claims of Greece
in the Asia Minor littoral. What
grounds there were for this belief may
not be material. The point is that
NTH has taken the matter boldly in
hand and has made an open appeal
to the French people for an alliance
with France.
In special despatch to the Matin
of Paris Premier NITTI says:
II affirm again the necessity Of the
union Of our two countries. For the
realization OF her national aspirations
Italy is relying on the efflcacious and
aspirations are Just, why will you
not make a bloc with US? Any other
attitude would injure not only our
interests but yours. After buying the
victory with their blood. France and
Italy must gain peace by their work
and sacrifices"
With the exception of the under
standing by which Italy entered the
war this Is the first attempt at an
alliance between these two countries
since 1881, when Italy was drawn
into the Triple Alliance through Bis
MARcK's skilful manipulation Of the
French occupation of Tunis. Bis
MARCK utilized the italian resentment
against France to bring about an IN
Outstanding with Austria despite the
most violent opposition Of the italian
Irredentists. His successors continued
to make use Of II as a means to keep
the two nations estranged.
At the same time Premier NITTI is
endeavoring to bring about an under
standing between Italy and the United
States which may result in solution
Of Italy's urgent economic needs.
He Is organizing, according to an Off
cial announcement from Rome, a new
mission to this country. The indus
trial conditions Of Italy are the most
serious with which she to-day is
struggling. The need of fuel for her
manufactures is pressing. The gain
in territory from the war has brought
her no industrial gains; she must
still seek elsewhere for certain food
supplies and for raw materials. 1t Is
from America that Italy feels she can
secure most readily and surely the
relief which she seeks.
In the pursuit of the purposes so
clearly defined in these two attempts
to bring about a better international
background for Italy Premier NTH
sets forth a truly reconstructlve pol
icy for his country. 1t has virtues
that the world will not be slow to
recognize.