New-York tribune., 1920-06-19

II is easy to understand why the
growing talk in Rome Of Giolitti Min
lstry excites disapproval and apprehen-
sion in Paris and with something less
of intensity in London as well. Had
Giolitti prevailed just five years ago
Italy would not have entered the World
War and, so far as it is humanity pos
sible to calculate, France and Great
Britain would have been beaten We
are, in fact, just at the anniversary of
those stirring days in Rome when Clio
litti came to the capital to prevent Italy's
entrance into the war and was COM
PEELED to flee the city to save his life.
1t was not as pro-German that
Giolitti acted, although he represents
that fraction Of the Italian public which
has been steadily friendly to Germany
and has been supporter Of the old
Triple Alliance. Still, in 1918, when
following the Second Balkan War Aus
tria sounded Italy on the subject of at
tacking Serbia, Giolitti instantly opposed
the project, and a year later, when the
World War had broken, made public the
secret history Of Austria's policy in the
previous year.
Friendly with the Germans Giolitti
was, influenced by and sympathetic with
Prince Won Btlow's desperate effort to
keep Italy neutral in the opening months
Of 1915. But underneath all lay the con-
viction that for Italy the wiser course
sistence upon certain compensations
from Austria, including the Trentino as
far as Botzen and certain rectifcations
along the Isonzo. Under German pres
concessions at the moment when Italy
entered the war. But he knew that it
would be impossible to persuade the
Hapsburg monarchy to give up Trieste,
and without Trieste italian public senti-
ment could not be satisfied.
Those who advocated italian entrance
into the war believed that 'Ais assist
ance would bring swift and decisive VIC
tory to the Allies. Giolitti was bette,
informed. Thanks to Won Bulow he fore
saw that even with Italy enlisted the
war was bound to be long and the costs
to Italy beyond any adequate recon-
pense new territory victory might give
her.
Inly's Burden
Moreover, his worst suspicious were
promptly realized, because at the mo-
ment Italy entered the war Russia was
defeated at the Dunajec and began the
long retreat which lasted until autumn.
Instead of that swift Italian advance
to Laibach which had been expected,
Italy was promptly checked at the Isonzo
and along the Adige. She lacked all the
essentials Of modern warfare; she
brought man power to her allies, but
more than year was to pass before
she could acquire gun power, heavy artil-
lery and shell stores necessary for a
real advance. Meantime, Russian de-
feats released Austrian troops for ser
vice on the Isonzo Russian collapse
was postponed, but Italian interests were
not achieved.
In 1915 Italy had to bear a terrific
attack, following close upon Verdun. and
almost bringing the Austrians to the
plain north of Venice Successful in
repulsing this, she undertook heavy
burden in her own offensive at the
lsonzo, which failed to produce a rup-
ture because her gun power was still in
sufficient. One year later the complete
Russian collapse was followed by Ger
man attack upon Italy and the loss Of
most of Venetia following the Caporetto
disaster.
1t was not until late in 1918, after n
| preliminary victory at the Piave, which
arrested the last Austrian offensive. that