Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-11
ITALIAN PREMIER SAYS
NATION FAV0RS AMERICA
Declares His Country Is Ripe for
Exploitation OF United States
Business.
NO CONFLICT or INTEREST
Foreign Commerce Before the War
Amounted to Billion Dollars
ofHcial Claims, and Most OF It
Went to Germany.
JBy hssociated prcss1

ROME. August 10.-r'rancisco Ni;ti.
the Italian Premier. in an interview
today dealt at length with Italy's eff
tcrts in the war and her ambitions
Tor the future. Particular stress was
fn,n ny inc rremier on ltaly's desire
United States. He declared that italy
WAS RIPE for exploitation by American
business.
u lind no difficulty in speaking
plainly, said Signor Nitti TO the cor
respondent Having been in Amer
lea and seen the work that America
has done in all branches. OF human
cndcaror. ] know something OF the
great institutions that she has bull;
up. industrially. socially and polite
ally. II Is therefore "a feeling OF great
pleasure that ] commun icatc to Amcri-
cans this message as the head of the
Italian government.
My sentiments towards America
are known to AL there. There cannot
stern conviction that one of tho cs-
sential tasks OF my government Will
he The establishments not only OF mos,
cordial relations with the United
states, but genuine administration
ly the two peoples that there Is "a
community ot ideals aud sentiments
directed toward the common conccp-
ton Of democracy.
No Conflict OF interest.
There is no conflict OF interest be-
,wccH W.. We arc today two dcmocra-
clcs striving for still further realiza-
ton OF the benefits OF free govern
mcnts
must hcish,en when tho great mar
kets that are offered here arc con
sidcrcd. Before the war ltaly's foreign
commerce amounted TO more than
sl.00O.OUJ.e0o. This was divided chief
~ among the European powers. Win
Germany leading ali the rest both In
imports and exports The war lief,
this market in a chaotic state. IL now
is ready for exploitation for American
business; ready. open armed for all
trcir wares, and longing for CONNER
cial intercourse which VII! aiike hcnc-
lit both the United states and lialE.
we need raw materials for indus
trial enterprises which will allow us
to restore our industry. We heod
foodsturs, fats, coal and semt ,ann, d
with industrial possibilities.
our hearts AVID hopes are extended
10 America. where many or iiaiy's sons
contribute their skill and toll; TO
sons fought with no unworthy prowess
the battle just concluded
No Imperialiatic Aims.
"Italy's aims are not inperialisuc.
She must defend her nationality. 1t
is inherent In her: II is something tina !
no power either on carth or in heaven
can take away. our anxiety is still
lingering that our peoples IN the Adri-
their choice to be "A part and parcel
OF their mother land we are trusting
that President Wilson'S scholarly aud
energetic mind VIII assist Us IN reach
serve the unity OF the Italian peoples.
we look for America TO guarantee
US region IN Asia Minor where we
may secure raw materials and food
stunts for our rapidly increasing pop
ulation. which within few years Will
aggregate j0.0oo.o0o. and tho density
o. which is now more than $50 inhab-
itants TO the square mile.
II have personal sincere confidence
in President wilson as the representa-
tive OF democracy
1T was in that aim 20 perpctuatc
free institutions that Italy threw in
her all No country suffered more
from the conflict or bore the sacrifice
with greater Will Half million dead
testify in silence more s,rikinGly than
any other evidence OF ltaly's sterling
spirit. million disabled. living in
ferings in the cause OF freedom. Five
and quarter million went out TO
battle out OF $1,000. 900 population
in 1915
contribute this proportion she would
have summoned l6 100000 men 10 arms.
ltaly's army was given Willingly
cagcrly-on the altar Of liberty to bear
than peace.
"Beforc the war our annual national
debt amounted to 15.ooo.ooo.o0o our
advent into the Wat has seen il rise
to $4,000. 900. 900. Italys national
wealth aggregated hut 10000 n0o 900
We surrendered all hu; one-hfth Of
II in the war. and had We been called
upon for further sacrifices we would
have Willingly given. even to the
limit OF our existence.
Long years in the trenches made
the men OF the allied armies returning
TO civil life nervous and restless VIC
see evidences OF II all over the world
We have had sporadic eases of unrest
in Italy. bus mono serious enough ito
warrant undue alarm.
The problem of the high cost OF liv-
ing will be brought near solution when
the industrial Eroups have accented
this need for output and as long as
this feeling permeates the mass of the
Italian peoble fear Of a revolution of