New-York tribune., 1922-06-08
Answering Watson Attack
in Senate, Ambassador
of Italy Says Duties
Are a World Problem
Proper Discussion
For the Diplomats
Declares Ii Is a Mistake
to Think His Country
Can Buy Only in U. S.

" ANAHf NMNf ~ 4 Nf ~"
soeia,ed Press).-Taking notice Of OBJ
jcctions made in the Senate By Senator
Watson. Republican. Indiana, to dis
cussion by him Of tariff and other
legislation, Senator Rieei. the Italian
Ambassador. in a formal statement to-
Gay. declared tariff duties we're an in
ternational problem and as such we're
n proper subject for discussion by
diplomatic agent OF foreign country.
Intention TO interfere with American
internal affairs was disclaimed by the
ambassador in his statement. issuance
OF which in reply TO statements made
in Congress was regarded in diplomatic
circles as a most unusual procedure.
Criticism Is Keenly Felt
Senator Ricci. it was learned at the
embassy. felt kecnly the criticism di-
rcc,cd By Senator Watson. recog-
nized Administration leader, against
him, Sir Auckland Geddcs, the British
Ambassador, and other diplomatic rep
rcscntativcs. whom the Indiana Senatos
accused Of opposing not only the tariff
bill. but merchant marine and other
legislation. Ambassador Gcddes has
refused to comment in any way on the
matter. but was understood 20 have dis
cussed il with Secretary Hughes yes
tcrday at the State Department. AM
bassador Ricci's statement follows:
when merchants and business men
invite ne 20 speak before their associa.
tions they do not wish me 10 talk about
hypoihcscs on the origin OF the gods or
on Theoretical supppositions about the
vcrsfcation Of pre-Homeric poets.
They wish me 70 speak Of current
topics. and ! believe that they expect
mo 20 tell them the truth. II Is for
this reason that | endcavor 10 say
things clearly and 10 demonstrate the
practical results therefrom, without
ambiguity or circumlocutions. apt only
% hcfog tho issues under considera-
tion.
NO one who speaks Of trafic and
exchange can overlook tho effects OF
tariff dutie7 upon ihcri. c. should one
say that those effects are due 10 the
phsscs Of the moon or 10 the action OF
the canals OF Mars!
An International Problem
Nobody has any intention to inter-
fcfe with your internal affairs. |, for
instance, would never think OF dis
cussing your TAXATION policy. But
tariff duties arc not only an internal
problem. they are also an interna-
iional problem. in0smuch az they af-
feet the products which any country
(my country among the othersl i'm
ports or may import here. And this
Is so true that they are often made the
SUBJECT Of direct international treaties.
Each country exercising its sovereign
rights can regulate is tariff regime as
IL sees ft But as no sensible Italian
would be offended II any American am
hassador should state the effects cf an
Italian tariff intended 10 put excep-
tional duties on products which
America sends 20 Italy. such as cotton
and oil. 50 there is no sense in en-
dcavoring 10 end that your policy is
being interfeied with when one shows
the effects which a high tariff would
produce on Italian imports 10 America
and on American exports 10 Italy. when
Italy BY natural and even necessary
reaction should increase her import
duties on American goods. Certainly
there is no harm in listening TO differ
cnt opinions on this matter, and seeing
things from more than one side or
closing one eye instead Of opening
them both.
No Monopolistic Markets
1T is n mistake 10 think that Italy
buys in America and cannot buy e'se-
where. Fortunately for Italy there
are no monopolistic markets any more,
NJ least in an absolute sense. Not
even the American market is monopo-
listic, Notwithstanding the fact that 1t
is one Of the greatest and most power
fnl in the world As n practical in
stance. IL suiiices 10 say that last year
Italy bought practically nothing in
this country and yet 40,000,000 Italians
lived rs we'll as. and even better than
the previous years.
As to the immigration and prohibit
tion laws: Whenever | have been
asked TO express an opinion about them
| have replied that they are laws and
must be obeyed until your people
through the competent departments
iii .,srk "a ckaura fham