Albuquerque morning journal., 1921-08-31
HERO OF PIAVE
MEETS ITALIAN
/. PATRIOTS HERE
General BadogIio, in This
Country on Special Miss
ion, Was Head of Army
Which Stopped Enemy.

General Badoglio, the Hero Of
Piave," was greeted by more than
two hundred Of his countrymen
yesterday afternoon upon his ar
rival on the California limited.
General Badoglio. who is in this
country on special mission from
the Italian government, spoke
briefly to his countrymen, explain
ing the condition Of Italy during
the war and since. He stressed the
fact that, although Italy had only
10000 men under arms at the be-
ginning of the war, the country
had 100000 men under arms
when the armistice was signed.
He later elaborated upon his
short address in an interview with
a Journal reporter.
my country has sent me mere
to thank America for what 1t has
done and the help it has given TO
her during the war;" General Ba-
doglio said. 1.-THE thanks come TO
those who fought for their country
In the American army or to up
hold the name of Italy, And thanks
also to those who, not being able
to 20 over and give the strength
of their arms to their country,
helped through work and through
their financial resources in the
great struggle.
"The American authorities and
American citizens who are here at
present today have wished to rem
der homage to Italy, to the faith
full ally of the days of fighting and
to her companions and ideals
these same ideals which formed
and brought to the present great
ness the great American republic.
II wish to tell you something of
what our country has been able to
do In the war, because unhappily
much of that has not been known
in this country. We did not wish
war in Italy, Our country was a
peaceful nation that wished to
progress through work and peace
full effort. When we came into the
war our army consisted of only
$4,000 officers and 10000 men.
In a supreme effort and by calling
to arms all the men between IL
and 4e years of age, on the signing
of the armistice 100000 men
WClp uIuSI a. lthos W y ANN1 N-N
artillery. The guns we had came
from Germany, and at the Begin
ming of the war we had only about
1900, counting all the old guns In
the fortresses, Then, during the
retreat Of Caporetto a great NUM-
ber of the guns we had made were
lost. In few months, however,
our industries managed to replace
them and when / gave orders to
begin the firing Cor the memorable
battle of Vittorio Veneto, $500
italian guns opened fire on the
Austrians.
"It has Cften been said that the
allied help stopped the Austriaps
on the Piave, but you must know
that the allied divisions which
were Immediately sent to Italy by
the high command did not enter
the line until one month after the
enemy attack had been completely
stopped by our soldiers.
"The allied help we had in Italy
in 1918 did not amount to over
$4,000 men, while we had $4,000
men of the second army corps in |
France, 10000 workers behind the |
lines In France, $4,000 men in ALI
bania and $4,000 men IN Mace
donia. Add them together and see
for yourself the help we received
as compared to the help we sent
out.
"But ! am not here, though a
soldier, to speak about war.
wish to tell you about what we are
doing for. peace and reconstruction.
After the armistice a great part OF