New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-14
Premier Tells Socialists
! Government Has No In
tention of Mining in
! Inter- nal Politics
Persia Incident Explained
War Materials ON Board
Ship We're Bound for
China, Nitti Declares

ROME, Dec. 13.-Premier Nitti de-
clared in the Chamber of Deputies yes
terday that the italian government
does not favor intervention in the in
ternal affairs of Russia. The Premier's
remarks were brought foi<h by an ad-
dress made by Captain Giulietti, sec
retary of the Seamen's Federation, and
"a Socialist, who was favorable to the
war.
| Captain Giulietti, who was RESPONSE
fble, with other officials, for the diver
lsion to Fiume of the steamship Persia,
(which ostensibly was destined to
China, discussed the incident. 1t was
believed at the time of the Persia Incl
ldent that the arms on board the ship
twere TO be used against the Russian
|Bolshevki. Following Captain Gull
letti's speech Signor Nitti said:
II wish the name of Fiume would
tnot be mixed up in our political dis
\cussion. Fiume represents an ideal
sacred to all of US, regardless of party
In my opinion, we must not intervene
in the internal affairs of Russia.
"In regard to the Persia, ! can guar
antee the war materials on board were
destined to China, and that she would
have returned to Italy from Vladivostok
with needed supplies.
Not to Mix in Russian Politics
You Socialists have one opinion
about Russia and we have another,
but wish it understood we do not
intend to mix in Russia's internal poll
tics.
"Sicnor GiulIietti." the Premier con-
tinued. Says seamen took the Persia
to Flume because the arms on board
were destined for Russia. This is un-
true. For some time the government
has been selling superhuous war ma
terials-
You might sell generals" came an
interrupting voice from the Socialist
section.
I'VE will continue selling war ma
terlals in Europe and elsewhere" the
Premier went on, because in our pres
ent financial situation we need credits
abroad to buy necessary products. l
have given instructions that nothing
must be sold in any country which may
be used against Russia. If anybody can
show me that these instructions have
been disobeyed | will punish the re-
sponsible parties severely"
War Feared With Germany
Warning not to take the place of
America IN the alliance destined to
guarantee French territory" was given
the Italian government Thursday by
Deputy Cicotti, speaking in the Cham
Der He said the arrangement might
lead to war with Germany. as that
country cannot resign herself to
death"
Asking whether the Italian foreign
policy was made in Rome, Paris or
London" Signor Cicotti declared the
Versailles treaty to be merely a ter-a
ritorial and colonial spoliation of Ger.
many on the part of France and Eng
land" and said Italy had acted like
Sancho Panza." This he declared, had
stirred the German patriotism and
would be a grave danger to peace and
the source of new conflicts.
For Englsnd," he declared, at is
historic amusement, and a kind Of
sport to instigate the French cock
against the German eagle. England.
always inspired by commercial prin-
ciples. even now sells arms to the Boil
sheviki as we'll as TO Denikine and Kol-
chak. Confronted by such an atti-
tude we Socialists must send out greet
ings of solidarity to Ireland and
Egypt
There we're loud Socialist cheers for
both Egypt and Ireland.
Entente Policy Called "Wicked"
Deputy Cicotti urged that the gov
eminent give assurances to he Cham
Der that it would not support the
mercantile imperialism of Lloyd
George and said the policy of the En-
tente toward Russia, by which women,
children and old people are starved"
was cynical and wicked He then
read report by an Anglican clergyman
showing cruelties in India, and also q
report by Dutch captain telling of
now poor persons were permitted to die
OF starvation and typhoid in the
Ukraine.
For the honor of Italy" he shouted,
Il ask the government to disavow re-
sponsihility for such policy of wick
edness"