Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-06-14
ITALIANS MAKE
URGENT APPEAL
Ask Funds for Relief of
$4,000 Tuberculor
Soldiers
COMMISSION TO
VISIT WILMINGTON

Final plans are being made by
the local Italian committee for the
visit TO Wilmington soon OF the
Italian Commission TO collect funds
for the relief OF Italian tubercular
soldiers. The local committee con-
sisting OF DR.. p. NJ. Rovitti, chair
man; Thomas D'Aquino. treasurer;
and Pietro Antoneli. secretary, has
sent out the following appeal;
ION the occasion Of the visit to
this city OF a commission for the
purpose OF collecting funds for the
relief OF the tubercular soldiers OF
Italy the local Italians are making
every effort TO keep up the splendid
tradition OF comradeshfp displayed
by our city towards the warriors OF
the old world.
There are In Italy today over
thirty-three thousand soldiers af-
fected with tuberculosis contracted
as the result OF the hardship endur-
ed during four years OF trench life
in the perennial SHOWS OF the Alps,
and OF the terrible conditions exist
ing in the prison camps OF Austria.
These $4,000 victims Of the White
Plague. together with 100000 dead,
and 100000 disabled, constitute
the sacrifice made by Italy on the
altar OF Liberty.
These unfortunates who we're de-
MED the privilege OF meeting, in a
moment OF exaltation and supreme
devotion. a glorious death on the
field OF battle, are now constantly re-
minded by their emaciated and desic-
eating bodies. OF the progress OF that
fatal malady which day by day
draws them nearer 10 the grave. In
deed they will not need our aid for
long. for scarcely a day goes by but
that somewhere in Italy. a new SOL
dier's cross appears among the end
less rows, a reminder that one more
Of that gallant band has gone TO that
undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveller returns"
1T Is the aim OF the National AS
ISOLATION for Italian War Consump-
tives to alleviate the sufferings OF
these unfortunates for the brief span
OF life left before them. supplying
them with medicine. food and shell
ter. that their stay among us may be
made just a little more cheerful. The
commission headed by Hon. Guy Po-
drecca (member OF the italian Par
liamenD has come to us in the in
terest Of the association, with the
personal endorsement and recon-
mendation of the American Ambas-
sador at Rome. His Excellency
Richard Washburn Child TO Presi-
dent Harding and Secretary OF State
Charles Evans Hughes.
The Italians OF this city have al
ways given freely in response to
every appeal for funds. while only
once or twice in the past many years
have the local Italian societies and
business men gone outside OF thel:
nationality for outright contri5u-
tions.
The representative committee
which has been selected by the local
Italians. who are doing their utmost
on this occasion, urgently requests
your valued cooperation. We sin
cerely trust that on this occasion
those who sympathize with and I'M
derstand the sacrifices made by the
Italian people. and the business
firms that for many years have dealt
with them in a business way. will
generously contribute TO this sacred
cause OF human PREPARATION. The
greatest possible publicity is being
given this campaign through. the
local Italian newspapers. and the
names Of those who shall have con-
tributed will be published on sew
eral occasions. in regular and special
issues Of the local Italian press.
Faithfully yours,
THE Italian Committee"