New-York tribune., 1919-12-15
Reply to Speech From the
Throne Approved After
Radical Plea for Aid
to Soviets Is Rejected
Premier Asks Support
Need of American Help
Emphasized; U. S. ''Dry''
Action Cited i'm Debate

ROME, Dec. ID (By The Associated
Press ).--The Chamber Of Deputies last
night voted approval of the reply to
the speech from the throne after re-
jecting by vote Of 2S9 to 124 an
amendment offered by the Socialists
providing for the immediate recogni-
tion of the Russian Soviet government
and the resumption Of relations with
Russia.
Summing up the debate on the reply
Premier Nitti said on the subject of
Russia:
II am certain we shall soon resume
commercial relations with Russia. but
am not certain that they will soon be
advantageous. The idea that the
nglo-Americ,n bloc is interested in
isolating Russia to have a monopoly
OF raw materials is nonsense"
The Premier begged for the support
OF all parties to help Italy out Of her
present difficulties. He explained she
must import one-third of the nece 3si-
ties of life, needing for instance A.
100000 quintals of wheat annually. of
which 24000,000 came from abroad, q
quantity equal to two-thivds of the
ent''e production of Argentina.
We buy wheat at 1870 Ire 9lintal
and seil II Tor % lire" he said, "thus
losing 100000 to 5000 600 lire daily.
lhe greatest curse to US would be to
lose our credit abroad. because then
we would be irreparably lost. | urge
the Socialists to be frank with the
public and explain the necee sty of not
endangering our relations with the AL
lies, especially the United States,
which alone can supply us with the
greatest part of what we need. In fact,
we cannot receive immediate help ex-
cept from the American continent and,
above all, from the United States"
The Premier alluded to villages in
Italy where the wine shops were open
all night. and he asked the assistance
Of the Socialists in limiting drinking
among the people, citing the example
of the United States in it's anti-drink-
ing policy.
Premier Nitti said he desired to dis
pose Of question which was causing
national concern and to deny the re-
port that the government was about
to conclude new International agree
ments creating fresh esponsibilties.
The Premier's reference was to re-
port that the meeting of Premiers
Lloyd George and Clemenceau and
Foreign Minister Scialoa in London
had considered military convention.
"The government" continued the
Premier, feels the responsibility of
this grave moment. The great cur
rents of public opinion that have
shown themselves in the country have
imposed upon the go .crnment the duty
to do nothing without the cooperation
of these great movements represented
in the Chamber. (The Premier'ss al
lusion was to the Catholic and Social
ist eroups.)
"The statement that new tariff and
customs duty Wi ! be applied by royal
decree is also untrue"
An swering different speakers who
presented motions for the convocat on
OF constituent assembly Signor Nitti
said
eve consider the Parliament as a
permanent constituent assembly. There
is no necessity to convoke enc pur-
posey. The Italian constitution
granted on March a. lS48, was quickly
mod fed by the Parliament on May 10
1S4S, and later has been changed con
stan ly according to necessity Tho
Parliament is sovereign. 1t is free tc
modify by enact ment any article of the
constitution. What you now wish is te
change Article V, which nominally