El Nuevo mexicano., 1919-03-13
Premier Vittorio
Orlando Called
Savior Of Italy
(Kansas city star)

A"AAANI WAN1 ~ RARAANA VI ~ -
guarding his country's interests at
the peace conference. has proved his
right to a place among the worlds
greatest national leaders. Assuming
the reins OF government In 1917, at q
time when the Italian army was flee
ing before the Austrians, when 1t had
lost in three days what 1t had spent
eighteen months In acquiring. Pre-
mier Orlando saved his country from
the ingominious defeat the Alpine de-
bacle seemed to portend.
1t took courage TO attempt the re-
organization of the army and the re-
Mobilization of the home morale.
Other statesmen SHE'D from partici-
patton in the government which at
that time it appeared. would be forced
to be a party to a shameful peace. II
was only by colossal effort that the
premier succeeded in forming his cabi,
net, but when he finally announced II
to the king. his coalition administra-
tive body contained the strongest men
of all parties, among them Sonnino, in
whom those who doubted the capabili-
ties Of the premier had boundless
faith.
OUCG hCltCVcu as a F1CTlhC
His success was all the more diff
cult, and in the same degree notewor-
thy, by reason of the storm which a
few weeks before had ragged about him
as minister OF the interior. National
lists and annexationists, reyiled him as
a pacifict colleague OF the neutralist
Socialist leader, Giolitti, in whose
cabinet he had served from 1903 to
1915 as minister OF public instruction,
and some went so far as to denounce
him as a traitor. Needless Of this
clamor, he accepted the kings com
mission to organize a coalition 'cabi
net. His task was to save a defeated
nation, and the turn in the tide which
in time engulfed Austria, is proof of
his success.
Even while impunging his patriot
ism and courage, zone of his oppon.
ents could challenge his ability as a
leader or his intelligence as a states.
man. Of that his record was indispu-
table proof. AT 22, he had been made
professor of constitutional rights in
the University Of Palermo, from which
he had Just graduated, and after hold
Ing that chair for ten years, he had
been elected to the chamber Of depu-
ties from the province OF Partinico In
1892. His place among the deputies
has been confirmed by his province
every election since.
In 1908 he had accepted the port.
folio of public instruction under Clio
litti, then premier. In 1907 he return
ed TO the cabinet as minister of jus
tice from which position he retired in
1909, but came back to the administra-
tion In 1914 in the same capacity, to
be raised in 1916 to minister Of the in
terror, which which office he was ele
waited by the king to head the new
ministry.
Represents a United Italy.
He piloted Italy through the storm
lest period Of its career, and now he
is faced by the little less difficult task
of directing after-the-war r~econstruc
ton. Here is manifested his breadth
of vision and foresightedness, for last
summer, when few yer Of the most
optimistic statesmen Of the world
dared hope for an early cessation Of
hostilities, Premier Orlando began
preparations for Italy's rehabilitation,
through the ''afterthe-war" commits.
sion, of which he was president. In
a speech before that body in August
the premier sketched the necessary
procedure for the rehabilitation Of
the army and the return of its four
million soldiers to industry, and brief
ly touched upon the emigration prob
lem which he expected with the close
of the war. He concluded his address:
Concerning the time chosen for
starting and developing our work,
might remark that the after-war prob
lens began to develop as soon as the
war started, On the other hand, the
elements they involve are ever chang
ing, so that scheDhes that would solve
the problems which presented them
two or three months ago are al
ready out of date.
1T b~ehooves, us, therefore, to select
the opportune time for beginning our
study of these problems. We think we
done this. If, in response to the
of all, a victorious peace should
not be long deferred, the approach
OF such an suspicious moment would
redouble u energies and our actiyt
ties" Il
Not a party man, Premier Orlando
represents a united Italy at the peace
table. He never has aspired to party
leadership-his larger vision has EN-
braced national leadership and that he
hoc offotoad l.