San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-16
Italian Colonel in Book
Giues Impression ofU. S.

colonel does not believe war between
Japan and the United States probable.
Morally the world war has benefited
America" he writes, land has created
in the country a warliks tradition by
awakening great enthusiasm for
force"-a doubtful benefit, but the
colonel is a man of war.
The United States is a luxurious
country, "What in Europe is super
fluous for the rich, is in America a
necessity for the poor" Naturally
therefore, "the Americans psychology
is all his own. The American does
not live Europe's problems, hence
does not feel them"
What of the native-born Italians,
or sons of Italians, who live in the
United States-from J.000.OOO TO g.
100000 of them? First of all says
Colonel Siciliani, they are more high.
" considered because of ltaly's vic
tory in the war. But they live too
much apart. Their defects are appar-
ent. Their superiorities unadvertised
for instance, Italian food. They
keep a tender spot in their heart for
the old country and contribute, gener-
ously 20 it causes. "The Italians of
America love the king with passion
and follow all his acts with profound
gratitude and affection" Strange to
say 'Nitti is judged" a very intelli;
d'Annunzio is a national hero. at
was in Chicago that l found the pas
sion for him most ardent" Native
Americans the colonel confesses, are
inclined to consider the poet little
mad.l
Resurrects the Baggage Smasber.
Chicago, city of some 100000 Ital-
ians. Turbulent. The Italians at the
station to meet the mission, pressed
forward too eagerly. The police motor
cyclists tolled off to follow the gen.
erals automobile, soon lost it. The col
onel, having heard that Mayor
Thompson was "disdainful of military
men and foreigners" was rather sur
prised to find him extremely cour-
teous. The baggage hustlers had, in
the meantime, smashed the colonels
trunks. an America trunks are
treated very badly and allowed to fall
from incredible nights" he observes.
The mission visited the stock yards,
the municipal pier, the monuments
to Garibaldi and Lincoln, the Italian
chamber of commerce, Fort Sheridan !;
drank whiskey with some millionaires
of "bovine meat" on the twenty-sec-
ond story of hotel, and afterward
Colonel Sinbani helped one Of his
companions to the elevator.
The mission, with General Badaglio
and Colonel Siciliani, Travelled far and
wide, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
and back again. received by the
American authorities from the presi-
dent to the Spokane police, and chief
ly they studied the Italian immigrants
hoping TO keep alight in them that
flame of Italianity," loss Of which
seems to Italians of Italy sheer trea.
son. The colonel recommends all the
Italian diplomatic and consular
agents TO do what they can TO keep
the national flame alive.
keep Their Italian Soul"
"By this l do not mean to speak
against the acquiring of the Ameri'
can nationality, which, aside from
the hatefulness of some of the phrases
contained in the formula of naturali-
cation is n most useful thing, since
only by becoming American citizens
and acquiring the vote can me Ital-
ians really protect their interests and
those of their native country. but !
believe it necessary at the same time
for the emigrants to keep their Ital-
ian soul and aspirations, as other
wise the game would be lost"
This is plain speaking. Strange how
the words of 100 per centers of all
countries sound alike