The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-02-27

insisted that it has maintained most
of that reserve through increased tax
alton, the floating Of bond issues, the
wedding rings, new loans, the con-
version of government credits and the
realization of foreign credits held by
private citizens.
Prices of foods and other items in
common use skyrocketed after Italy
had felt the pinch of sanctions for a
little while. Gasoline rose from s.
cents to s1.20 a gallon; wheat went
up 20 lires a quintal Coal, soap and
textiles followed. Factories shut down
because there were no raw materials
TO manufacture, or because of the pro-
hibftive prices on raw materials.
Appeals were made to the emotions
of the people. Boycotts were declared
on goods coming from sanctionist coun-
tries. Great engines of economy and
conservation Of sanctioned articles
were set in motion. There were-and
are-plenty of the meatless days and
wheatless days that we Americans
knew during the war, except that the
Italians probably observe them more
rigidly and more frequently. The pop
ulace was encouraged to eat more fish
and poultry. that beef. pork and NUT
ton could be conserved or sent TO the
boys in the African trenches News
papers and periodicals even refused TO
accept any more contributions from au-
thors of the sanctionist countries, and
textbooks from those countries were
removed from the schools. To meet
the needs Of the poorer people, who
were hardest hit by the rising prices
which followed the application of sane
tons, commissions Of doctors and
dieticians issued pamphlets and began
educational campaigns on the mainte-
tons under the difficulties.
The people were not to be denied
bread. for the fine wheat harvest of
1885 was q per cent greater than that
of 1884. In the last FIVE years the total
area sown in wheat has been increased
by about 100000 acres. Another $780,
600 acres were added during 1885.
Policy of Secrecy.
The Treasury department eventually
began a policy of secrecy as to its
exact status, and it was believed that
this status was none too good, in the
face of the fact that publication of all
statements of the Treasury department
and the Bank of Italy were suspended
The Italian deficit last year was about
S16O.O0O.OOO, with nearly half of this
accounted for by the campaign in AZ
| RIGA.
It is not In foodstuffs, but In raw
materials that Italy faces the most
dangerous threats of sanctions. Italy
imports nearly 1000. 600 quintals of cot
ton annually-three-fou of it from
the United States-as against produc-
ton of only 1900 quintals at home.
She also imports FIVE times as much
wool as she produces. but much of this
| import can be Cancelled by the substi-
tuition of silk. rayon and other mate
| rails. The nation imports practically
| all of its requirements In seeds rubber
and. Of course. oil. The home produc-
ton of oil probably does not exceed
| per cent of her normal needs.
Italy's needs in timber are not facing
| any serious threats, for she can still
| import practically all she needs from
Austria Austria is also helping in for
| tifying Italy against the pressure of
sanctions on minerals Needs of scrap
| iron are diminishing as the result of
national drives to corral all the old
| iron in the nation. Italy's own produc-
| ton of iron ore can be increased about
/ two-thirds its normal needs. With 9TH
er minerals IL is not the same Italy
must import all of her tin and nearly
all of her copper. from sanctienist coun-
tries. Aluminium may be substituted
for some of these products. The ma
ton is fairly rich in aluminium. She
imports about half of her lead. She
must import about ten times as much
coal as she produces. about half Of the
| total import coming from sanctionist
countries Her own coal Is of poor
quality.
e Western Newspaper Union