Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-08
F0RESEES CLOSER
BONDS WITH ITALY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Copyright. 1919, by n, Y. Evening Post, Inc
PARIS, January S.-The net impress
sion of President Wilson's trip through
| Italy, which remains with me on my
no describing the warmth of the well
come given to President Wilson and
the depth Of the friendship for Amer
lea manifested by the government and
the Italian people.
| Seeing is believing. and I witnessed
the reception. Investigation of the
political situation. especially among
disinterested American observers.
leads to the conclusion that Italy is
the most, misunderstood in America
of all the allies.
) To say that Rome is the last Inn
perialistic capital on this continent,
although the spirit of liberalism is
most intense among the people, is a
been judging Italy by the emphasis
given to territorial questions in pre-
war negotiations or by the assertion
of her present claims to the Adriatic
Strong for Wilson Principles.
The truth is that italians have been
more interested in seeing general
Wilsonian principles adopted and in
the possible growth of Italian-Ameri-
can understanding than in securing
our aid in the rectification of their
frontiers.
Demand for the Dalmatian coast
has been growing until no politician
would be popular if he opposed 1t. yet
Z. %1.s1
as a growth of the anneXationist
spirit. Rather it is a conviction that
the Wilson principle of recognizing
nationalities means the inclusion in
Italy of Fiume. Moderates here
speak of internationalizing that and
other ports, but it is easy to see that
the Italian populace is depending
upon Mr.. Wilson's aid at that con-
ference to obtain the Adriatic cities
for Italy. To the contrary arguments
of the Jugo-Slays. Italians point out
that there are numerous other sea-
ports for the former.
Liberalism Gains in Italy.
It is plain to see that French
investments in the Balkans are lead
ing to anxiety lest Serbia fail to be
properly constituted, but Italians are
confident that they are able to handle
the situation. To the casual observer
II Is ClIllCult 10 say now muCH tle
influence of financial investment is
behind various claims, but unless the
recent manifestations are artificial,
which is not believed to be the case
by disinterested Americans in Italy.
the Italians are absolutely unit in
regard to the necessity Of obtaining
Fiume and a portion of Dalmatia.
Looking far ahead it would not be
surprising to find Mr.. Wilson sym
pathiZing with Italian aspiration in
regard to the Adriatic, because there
is evidence of a plentiful liberalism
danger of misuse of power than
Americans have usually been led to
believe. The recent ministerial crisis
emphasized the capacity of the
Italians to handle their political
affairs. and there is little danger of
liberal parties are in the ascendant.
Mr.. wilson's opportunity to speak in
the Italian chamber of deputies was
of iimmense Importance. 1t was the
first time any stranger had been per-
mitted to speak there in forty years
Editors Of important Italian news
papers assured me that Italian friend
ship for America is no recent claim,
but gradual growth during the war.
until the populace is ready to align it
self with America instead of previous
European allies.
make America an ally. but the senti-
ment is most pronounced in Italy and
England. In Italy it is not merely
sentimental. but is based on the con-
yiction that America and Italy will
have much in common economically.
There is an expectation that Ameri-
can bankers will extend financial aid
to American enterprise, and also that
American raw materials will be used
in numerous Italian factories con-
verted from war into peace uses.
Big Business Opportunity.
There is a big opportunity, es-
pecialIy for American coal and iron.
There is a universal feeling that
America and Italy will be drawn
together in closer business relations,
due to more shipping. Everywhere
the necessity of understanding Italian
business methods is emphasized, but,
owing to the impoverished and dis
organized condition Of European re-
sources, large market Is aVallaple
for us in Italy.
I Altogether President Wilson's visit
to Italy may be pronounced strik-
ing success The President himself
is glad he went, privately expressing
the view that there are many reasons
why italy and America should be
Joined now and in the future. Briefly,
Mr.. Wilson was given such COM
mendation by all the newspapers of
all the political factions that there
is nothing in the memory of the old
est italian statesman to compare
with the reception. and one is well
warranted in predicting that America
will have no stronger friend at the
peace table than Italy.