File No. 763.72/2221
The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State
Rome, November 19, 1914.
[Received December 7.]
My dear Mr. Secretary: I am sending in the pouch which leaves to-day a number of despatches relating to the present opportunities for the introduction of American enterprises offered here in Italy in the present juncture.
I want, however, to speak of the situation here, especially of the sentiment as it appears to me to exist, and therefore I write confidentially.
Outwardly, the situation of Italy appears calmer now than for some time past. How deep this goes I am not able to say. Another class of men formerly with the colors has just been relieved and sent home. This, however, leaves about half a million men still under arms and every unit in the service is represented, so that at any time these men who have been sent home could be remobilized and simply assigned to their respective commands which are in actual service.
The Government has provided for the immediate additional outlay of 400,000,000 lire for military purposes, which is in addition to the other large outlays already provided for some little time back, and many thoughtful men are asking why this great sum should be expended and how the Government will justify it, unless it is intended to go to war.
The common talk is that in the spring she will take a decisive step. I have learned, however, that the principal wants—guns—will be fully supplied by December, and Italy is certainly making great efforts to get stores of all kinds imported.
Only night before last, as I telegraphed you, the Foreign Office sent to me to request my aid in getting shipments of cargoes of grain [Page 144] expedited from America. It was said to be for great Italian milling companies, but the Foreign Office showed unusual interest.
There has been much stir in the North African colonies since Turkey declared war, much more than has appeared in the press; but I understand that with a view to keeping Italy out of the struggle, Germany and Turkey are both desirous to confine, at least for the present, the jehad to England and French colonies.
I have heard a rumor that Italy and England have an understanding to aid each other in protecting these contiguous North African colonies of theirs.
I am conscious here of a strong undercurrent of conviction that when one side or the other in the present war prevails, America will become the next object of attack, either on the part of Germany or of Japan, as the case may be. It seems to be considered that the war will not end until one or the other party is absolutely discouraged and that no tenders of friendly offices will avail before that crisis. Also there is frequent expression of the thought that even should the war be ended in its present status, it would only be a truce until the belligerents, more especially Germany, had recuperated sufficiently to attack again with better success, and that permanency of peace will depend on a condition in which absolute disarmament can be insisted upon.
I find in some quarters a strong subcurrent of thought that in time America and possibly other neutral powers may even have to step in and insist at the right moment that the war shall end and disarmament take place, to save civilization, which many agree in thinking is absolutely imperiled.
I write you thus because I feel that I should inform you as fully as I can of the way currents of thought are running here, and I hope you will pardon my imposing upon you such a letter.
I am [etc.]