New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-29


Copyright. 1921 New York Tribune Inc.
ROME, Sept. 2S.-In accordance with
general rule in Italy to keep appoint
meats secret until the last moment. no
announcement has yet been made OF the
delegates TO the Washington Conference
on the Limitation of Armament. AT first
Il was considered certain that Premier
Bonomi would head the delegation. but
this choice now has been left in abey-
snce, IS the Premier has decided that
unless the political situation caused by
the antagonism between the Fascist
and the Communists is improved he
will not leave the country, but will send
ore Of his ministers, who would follow
his policy Of army reduction.
Few countries are as eager for dis
armament as Italy. where militarism is
dead and where the people are essen
tally lovers Of peace. For this reason.
whether Signor Bonomi or substitute
heads the delegation o. four, italy at
the conference will be on the side of
reducing ornaments.
Italian Views Explained
Whether this reduction would be
gradual or immediate would depend
greatly en- the condition of Italy polit-
ically and industrially in the near fu-
tire. During the last few days the
Premier has been comforting With Colo
mel Buckley, formerly American Mill
o,ix
tor Emmanuel, and Italy's point of view
has been clearly explained to this I'M
Official representative of President
Harding.
What Italy will do in the future has
been clearly mapped out by the Prime
Minister. who since the armistice, when
he was only a plain Deputy, has studied
the question closely. 1t was due to his
personal instructions that two great re-
forms have been achieved in the army.
one Of them reducing the number Of
army corps from fifteen to ten. This
cause. dIsmay among some of the ad-
vecates of large army but the peo-
pie generally praise him for his
courage and determination.
There have been many conferences
IN Che last few days. but at none of
them have the Washington agenda been
discussed. But if the Council of Min
isters has not been discussing it.. the
members of Parliament have been busy
drafting plans for smaller and more
up-todate army than the present one
in Italy. These Deputies have asked
the Premier to grant them time to sub
nit. their proposals before the dele
gates leave, and it is believed that
though Signor Bouomi will desire to
listen co their plans he will not have
time to do so.
The question of Italy's policy at the
conference is interesting many experts,
but the public has little hope that abb
sclute disarmament is possible, nor
could the Italian delegates promise
such an eventuality.
Well-Trained Army Needed
A man who has studied the question
aud may accompany the delegation is
Deputy Finocchiaro Aprile, former
minister under Giolitti. who when
asked what would be Italy's policy
said:
what Italy needs is small, per-
manent army, we'll trained, composed
Of men ready for every eventuality,
who will be ready to serve the country
With all their talents. This small army
should be planned in such way that,
necessary, 1t could be transformed
into large army; but our delegates
vii not, l hope, favor transforming
this country into an armed nation
according TO the plan in use in Switzer-
land. There the men serve two months
every year. For the Italians this would
De heavy expense, as we are a large
nation and the expense of keeping the
ration armed would be five times the
cost OF permanent army. Switzerland
can afford this, as the number of men
Under arms for two months. is very
snail compared with Italy's. Besides
his is not the kind of situation
which would appeal to Italian men, who
prefer to serve their two years when
young and have done with it."
Power of Delegates
The prevailing impression in official
snd diplomatic circles is that the dele
gstes will not be given the power of
minister's plenipote as all the
sessions will be subject to parla-
nentary discussion after they return
2 Italy. For this reason, Premier
sonouli will choose, as delegates, mem
Ders OF his Cabinet, while the fourth
would probably be General Badoglio,
sno has just returned from America.
Is very likely that the delegation
vii remain in Washington only lin .