Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-11
ITALIAN PREMIER SAYS
nation FAVORs AMERICA
Declares His Country Is Ripe for
Exploitation OF United States
Business.
NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Foreign Commerce Before the War
Amounted to Billion Dollars
Official Claims, and Most OF IL
Went to Germany.
NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST
my As.oriatcd prc,,.1


ROME. August iO.-Erancisco Nitti.
the Italian Premier. In an interview
today dealt at length with italy's ef-
icrts in the war and her ambitions
Tor the future. Particular stress was
laid by the, Premier on ltaly's desire
United States. lie declared that Italy
was ripe for exploitation by American
business.
II find no difficulty in speaking
respondent. Having been In Amer
lea and seen the work that America
mas done in all branches OF human
great Institutions that she has bull:
up. tnduStrially. socially and polite
ally. Ii IS therefore Il feeling OF great
pleasure that communicate to Ameri-
cans this message as the head VI the
Italian government.
My sentiments towards America
are known To all there. There cannot
stern conviction that one OF the es-
Sential tasks OF my government will
he the establishment not only OF mos,
cordial relations with the United
States. but IA genuine administration
by the two peoples that there is :,
community o; ideals and sentiments
directed toward the common concep
ton of democracy.
No Conflict of Interest.
There IL no conflict Of interest, be-
tween us. We arc today TWO demdcra-
c,es striving for a skill further real,za-
ton OF the benefits OF free govern
men,s
The interest Of America IN Italy
must heiShten when the great mar
kets that are offered here are CON
sidered. Before the war l;aly's foreign
commerce amounted to more than
81. 000.003,O00. THIS WAS divided chief
~ among the European powers. with
Germany leading all the rest both In
imports and exports. The war left
this market in n chaotic statc. II now
is ready for exploitation for American
business: ready. open EARNED for all
cial intercourse which will alike bene-
tit both the United states and italy.
I'VE need raw materials for indus
trial enterprises which VIII u, nli"w US
foodstuffs. fats. coal and semihnished
materials. Our country is teeming
with industrial possibilities.
Our hearts aud hopes are extended
TO America, where many Of liaiy's sons
contribute their skill and toll: 10
America. for whom many OF ltaly's
sons fought with no unworthy prowcss
the battle just concluded.
No ImperinIistfc Aims.
"Italy's aims are not periaiistic.
She must defend her nationality. II
Is inherent In her: !, Is something tina;
no power either on earth or In heaven
can take away. Our anxiety is stin
lingering that our peoples In tho Adri-
attic might have the right TO assert
Of their mother land. We arc trusting
that President Wilson's scholarly and
energetic mind will assist us in reach
ing some agreement which Will pre-
serve the unity OF the Italian peoples.
I'VE look for America 10 guarantee
JUS region In Asia Minor where we
may secure raw materials and food
stuns for our rapidly Increasing pop
ulation. which within few years VIII
aggregate 5o.G00.oo0. and the density
Of which is now more than $50 inhab-
itantS to the square mile.
have personal sincere confidence
In President Wilson as the representa-
1T was In that aim to pcrpctuatc
free institutions that Italy threw in
her all. No country suffered more
with greater will. Half a million dead
testify in silence more strikingly than
amy other evidence OF ltaiys sterling
pain. constitute another Of our Of
ferinGs in the cause OF freedom. Five
and quarter million went out to
battle out OF 33.o0o.oob population
in 1915.
Had America been called upon TO
contribute this proportion she would
have summoned 1s,00o.ooo men 10 arms.
Ttaiy's army WAS given willingly
eagerly-on the altar OF liberty to bear
witness that right is more precious
than peace.
cebt amounted TO $4,000. 900. 900. our
advent into the war has seen ii rise
to slS.o0o.ooo.ooo;, itaiy's national
We surrendered all hut onc-t fifth of
II in the war, and had We been called
upon for further sacrifices NC would
have Willingly given. even TO tho
limit of our existence.
Long years In the trenches made
the men OF the allied aria'es returning
to civil life nervous and restless We
see evidences of il al over the world
We have had sporadic eases of unrest
in Italy. hut none serious enough to
warrant undue alarm.
The problem of the high cost of liv-
ing will be brought near solution when
the industrial groups have accepted
this need for output and as long rs
this feeling permeates the mass OF The
Italian Deople fear of revolution OF
Asiatic Bolshcvism will be unfoundcd"