The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-11-26
ITALIANS EAGER
TO RETURN T0U. S.
Men VINO Served Under PerShino
Gn0 Returned to Native
Land DisiIIusioned.
WIVES ALSO DISSATISFIED
Lower Wages and Lack of Modern
Dwellings Bring Longing for Amer
ica-Food in Country Districts
Higher Than in Cities.

Rome. All over Italy, in villages
and towns, there are hundreds of
ltaio-American ex-soldiers longing to
get back to the United States. and
only waiting until the vendemnia, or
harvesting of the grapes, Is over.
How they came to return to their ma
tive land when they loved America,
American cities and American ways
is through one Of the mistaken ideas
of many exsoldiers, who imagined
that once war was over they would
be happy in Italy. although they had
fought in France under General Per-
shing and had lived and made good
money in America for many years
When the arIuistice came and these
ltalo-Americans were given chance
of being demobilized in France they
jumped at 1t, because at that time
there was rumor that fabulous
prices were being paid TO workmen in
Italy. This fairy tale was true at
that time, as the government had still
in operation her ammunition fac
tories. and. of course, wages were
kept at a high level but as the wages
of farmhands and workmen of all
sorts had also increased. the cost of
living had increased more than three
times in price compared TO pre-war
schedules.
Suffer a Great DisIIusion.
Impulsively they sent for their fam
ilies who very often had to sell all
they owned in order to pay for the
steamship ticket TO Italy. Then many
families settled down to live with the
parents of the husband or wife, and
after short while suffered great
disiIusion. as things were not what
they had imagined. While they had
been away from their native land
they had thought Of it as picturesque
and beautiful. with an ideal climate
and congenial conditions. They for
got the discomforts of the old home
with its lack of running water and
modern improvements which these
bad grown accus-
toned to in the new land of freedom
The husband could put up with it,
but the wives could not, as In many
villages-in fact. in nearly all those
of Central Italy-the water must be
carried from the village fountain.
Whenever any washing was to be
done the clothes in most cases had to
be carried often mile to the river,
as the supply Of water in the villages
is never sufficient for washing clothes.
Naturally to the many who had not
only become accustomed to running
water in their houses. but also to
modern washing machines, this way
of washing did not appeal and they
would not walk down to the washing
place. but paid woman to do their
work. This meant great deal OF
money every week, as Americans are
considered to be millionaires or very
near it. so the prices asked were al
ways very high.
Food Costs More Than in Cities.
Then the cost of food now is some
times higher than in the cities. as the
produce in villages is generally what
Is left over from that exported to
town. Besides, plumbing in Italy, ex
,ept in the big cities. is absolutely un
known; only primitive ways of bath
ng are INDUCED in and a bathroom
n a village house is unknown. This
S due to the great lack of water in
7illages all over Italy although In
eality in out-of-the-way woods there
ire wonderful springs. hut the water
.uns TO waste, as these sources are
ar removed from the villages and
owns
In one small village in the prov
nee of Rome. called San Felice. near
Y all the male adult population over
twenty-five years old had been tt
america. made a little money. re
urned to their families and boughi
little vineyard, which they worked
Until longing to return to the new
ountry forced them to take ship and
cave for New York Some of These
nen have been four or five times ir
.merica. speak English and are long
ng to go again.
Many of them returned to Italy ff
erve their time during the war an6
My now wait an opportunity to ge'
way. Emigration now is not so easy
S one must have job ready to stey
ITO rs soon as tHe sup redclleS rev
ork. Many of them, who have thei!
antilles growing up and whose wives
ave never been 10 America, are plan
ing to leave their families and &C
YER for year or so, Those whOse
ives have been to America and have
we'd there are returning with their
lmilies, as the wives refused to re
ain behind, as they find Italy t0e
inv