Evening star., 1922-01-13
DECLARES ITALIANS
NOT M|L|TAR|ST|C
Count Costantini Speaks Be-
fore II CircoIo ItaIiano,
New ORGANIZATION.

From time immemorial the Italian
races have been pervaded by no mill
taristic spirit, according to Count
David Costantini. attache of the
Italian delegation to the Washington
conference, speaking last night before
II Circolo Italiano, an organization
formed for the cultivation and diffu-
sion Of the Italian language, litera-
ture, history, art, music and other
aspects of Italian national life, and
the establishment of closer bonds OF
friendship between Italy and the
who spoke in English. told his hearers
that he thought it not amiss to foster
the program Of the new society, born
in a period of the momentous ques-
tion of disarmament. and including
both Italians and Americans, by &C
quainting the latter with the racial
virtues of the Italian people and the
attitude of Italy toward disarmament.
Senator Viltorio Rolandi Ricci, the
Italian ambassador. and Thomas Nelson
Page. former United States ambassador
to Italy, have both recently accepted the
office Of honorary president of the new
society.
Romans Peaceful.
Even the Romans. generally con-
sidered militaristic, the speaker made
clear, were essentially peaceful. and
the enforcement of law and order was
the main object of their valorous and
successful warfare.
discipline made the Roman what
he was" said Count Constantine, in
part. land his conception Of law has
become the model on which all juris
prudence has been nodded. The state
as he founded it was based on the
principles of reciprocity and self
sacrifice and the Sancfifv of DrivAte
rights
ii Circolo Italiano was formed here
in the latter part of November. Its
membership. now numbering about
fifty, includes both men and women
who have acquaintance and sympathy
with Italian ideals. On the list OF
members are both permanent and
temporary residents of Washington
artists. literary people, eminent ltal-
ian journalists and members OF the
staff of the Italian embassy. The
number of local people who under
stand and speak Italian and who
have welcomed a chance to become
more facile in that beautiful tongue
has proven a surprisingly large one.
Chancellor Ii President.
Signor Vincenzo di Girolamo. chan
cellor of the embassy, is the presi-
dent and one of the prime movers of
the society, and so far the bi-monthly
meetings have been held at his resi-.
dente, 1894 Calvert street. The usual
program includes a lecture or talk in
Italian on some special topic, CONVEX
sation between members as much as
possible in Italian. readings from
Italian poets or prose writer's, music
by Italian composers, and refresh
ments. Already Miss Clelta Flora
vanti, who has appeared here in grand
opera. has sung several times.
There are similar Italian circles in
- Tha
Oldest and best known is in Boston.
and served as the model for WASH
ington's organization. Henry w.
Lcngfellow. William Roscoe Thayer.
the author: Sal gent, the artist, and
many other men of note appear on
the roster of the Boston society.
Other Omcers OF Circle.
Other officers of the circle are
Signor A. Cifan,, vice president; Sig
norma E. Chiera. secretary, and .Avv
StriZzI, treasurer Among the men,
bers are Signor Andrea Geisser Cele-
sia, secretary of the Italian embassy;
Marquis Tommaso Assereto, third sec
retary: Marquis Vittorio di BerneZzo.
military attache; Lieut.. Col Allesan-
dro Guldoni. air attache: Col. Vittorio
Falors'. private secretary to the am
bassador: Comm. Allesandro Sapelli
and Count David Costantinf OF the
Vinci. emigration delegate; Cav. A.
Alfam.. S:gnor B. Bagno!i. Signor NJ.
F;eda, Mr and Mrs. Isaiah Galibert,
Ir. and Mrs Fe nando Cuniberti. DR..
4 fewart, U. S. n. and Mrs. Stewart,
Mss A. Gardeiia, Prof. and Mrs
.homas Patterson and Mr.. and Mrs.
] enry X. Bush Brown.
with the idea of enlarging the
ope of the circle, steps have already
en- taken to secure the nucleus of
a compact, valuable, working library
on Italian matters Of interest. This
wi include Italian newspapers, nit
er,.ry and artistic reviews and other
sirailar publications, which are ex-
ne sted to prove ii decided asset to the
wcrk Of the orga anization.
Hairs Hidden beauty In brought to