The Spirit of Italy

THE COLLEONI STATUE UNDERPROTECTIVE COVERING

THE FAMOUS EQUESTRIAN STATUEOF BARTOLOMMEO COLLEONI, BYVERROCHIO—VENICE

The Doges' (Ducal) Palace was supported by columns of bricks; everywhere evidence could be seen of the attempt of the Italians to save the most remarkable city in the world. Inside the sumptuous Cathedral of St. Mark's, the effect was startling—all the works of art gone, the altar covered beyond recognition, mounds upon mounds of sand-bags heaped around the columns. It was more like a cave than the interior of one of the most beautiful of churches. Along the Grand Canal the large hotels have been converted into hospitals. Vast palaces have been closed and deserted. Life on the Canal is so quiet that it is almost painful. It is not the same Venice so many travelers recall. Only one good-class hotel is open. There are a few boarding-houses, but all the magnificent hotels are either closed or filled with wounded men.

It was difficult in war times to get into Venice, and more difficult to get out. Everyone was looked upon as a spy until he proved that he was not. Officials inquired into your life history, traced your every movement, watched every step you took, and if finally you passed muster and got away without a long delay, you knew that there was not a suspicion of your ever having even dreamed of being a spy.

THE MADONNA AND TWO SAINTS BY PERUGINO-CREMONAAt the right, the painting covered with timber and sand-bags

THE MADONNA AND TWO SAINTS BY PERUGINO-CREMONA

At the right, the painting covered with timber and sand-bags

It was, of course, more difficult in the war zone. Once inside the restricted area one became a suspect, and it sometimes took weeks to obtain police and military permission to leave Italy. The Italians were in earnest, they had had a severe lesson, and they did not intend to be caught napping.

An Allied victory was the one object, and Italy was readyto pay her share of the price. No braver men ever faced an enemy than the Arditi, and no enemy army ever forgot an encounter with these "shock troops" of the Italian army. These men were born and brought up in an atmosphere that has taught them how to fight. They are as hard as nails, as fearless as lions—the pick of Italy's best troops.

Photograph by E. M. NewmanMARKET WOMEN OF ITALY

Photograph by E. M. Newman

MARKET WOMEN OF ITALY

Italy, though needing food, is not starving, nor is she depressed. She has recovered from the shock of 1917, and there is no disaffection among her people. All are united. Socialists cannot overturn the conditions of the nation. As for their military stamina—Austrians can testify to the fact that the Italian army is a foe worthy to engage itself at any time, against any hostile power.

We cannot close more fittingly than by quoting Mr. Sidney Low's highly informing comments on the spirit of Italy:[2]

Photograph by E. M. NewmanLACE MAKERS HOLD TO THEIR TRADEIsland of Burrano, Venice

Photograph by E. M. Newman

LACE MAKERS HOLD TO THEIR TRADE

Island of Burrano, Venice

"Of all the belligerent nations I have seen, Italy seems to me the most tranquil, contented and serenely confident. She has endured heavy losses and is called upon to make great sacrifices, but her people have counted the cost and they pay it resolutely, cheerfully, almost, one would say, gaily. They have no love for war and on this one they entered with hesitating and doubtful steps, but now, I think, they feel, not only that it was necessary and right, but that it will give them some things which were wanting in the years of peace. War is a monstrous evil; but from its furnace of pain and suffering Italy, with other nations, may emerge hardened and tempered. She will gain a larger unity and that not merely by annexing the unredeemed territory. The war has gone far to obliterate that division of classes and localities which was the inheritance of her troubled past. Thecommon effort and the common burden have crowned the edifice which the makers of Italy built up in the nineteenth century....

WOMAN LETTER CARRIER, ROME

Press Illustrating Service. IncSCHOOL INSTITUTED BY AMERICAN RED CROSSAt the Italian front, behind the war zone

Press Illustrating Service. Inc

SCHOOL INSTITUTED BY AMERICAN RED CROSS

At the Italian front, behind the war zone

"What Italy needs is security, sufficient to develop to the full her economic resources and her national individuality; and that she intends to obtain. She is resolved to be independent of external patronage, protection and supervision of any kind, and to enjoy all the rights, privileges, ambitions, which belong to the greater nations of the earth. She believes herself capable of excelling, not merely in art, science, letters, philosophy, laws, but in production, manufacturing, commerce, the exploitation of waste and backward lands. She is not content that her people, so intelligent, so industrious, so capable, should be packed off year by year in shoals to form the ill-paid labor helots of wealthier communities; she prefers that they should be kept at home to develop the riches and intensified vitality of their own land. She has watched the rise of Germany from poverty and weakness to strength and industrial magnificence; and she believes that the Latin capacity for organization, invention, scientific adaptation and enterprise, is not inferior to the Teutonic. She thinks she can do many of the things that Germany has done, and some things which Germany will never do; and she means to try. It is for the great free nations, with which she is now associated, to survey her effort with sympathetic eyes, and extend to it all the aid and encouragement in their power."

*** Information concerning the above books may be had on application to the Editor of The Mentor.

FOOTNOTES[1]NOTE—The pictures on pages 6, 7, 8, 9, are printed through the courtesy of the Italian Embassy, Washington. They are reproduced from photographs owned by the Italian Government.[2]From "Italy in the War"

FOOTNOTES

[1]NOTE—The pictures on pages 6, 7, 8, 9, are printed through the courtesy of the Italian Embassy, Washington. They are reproduced from photographs owned by the Italian Government.

[2]From "Italy in the War"

In the coming months of reconstruction and restoration in Europe, Italy will have special problems of her own to solve. Victory in the world war means for Italy five million additional mouths to feed in her redeemed territory. Close rationing will, therefore, be necessary for a long time, and a liberal food allotment from outside relief sources must be made.

Italy cannot be accused of having neglected her land. The total area of the country comprises 70,820,197 acres, only a little over 7 per cent of which is unproductive land. In her agricultural production, however, cereals do not play an important part. Her wheat product did not meet her domestic demands even before the war, and annual importations of grain were always necessary. The situation, therefore, today, after the terrible toll that war has taken, is acute and distressing as far as the main "staff of life" is concerned. Italy produces fruits in quantity, but a starving nation cannot live by fruit alone. The traveler in Italy today may feast his eyes on twelve million acres of vine-covered slopes, but the children of the land are crying for milk and bread. The wines of Italy are famous for their flavor and quality, and her olives and lemons are known throughout the world, but the people cannot survive on wine and olives. They need more substantial food, and, under the present strict rationing, each person receives only seventeen pounds of bread a month.

* * *

Italy's exports have been chiefly olives, lemons and cheese—Gorgonzola and Parmesan being among the famous brands. These fine Italian cheeses are made from goats' milk, and, as there is little enough of that now to feed wounded soldiers and children, the exportation of cheese has been stopped. Before the war olives and olive oil were shipped in huge quantities. There are miles and miles of olive trees to be seen from train windows when traveling through Italy. Today just as many olives are grown, and as much olive oil is obtained, but it is needed at home and is carefully guarded there. The Italian government practically controls the output and very little is permitted for export. Lemons are grown in great quantities and are still exported to some extent. The difficulty in obtaining boats, however, has made it impossible to ship any considerable quantity of lemons, and so this source of income has been virtually eliminated.

* * *

Italy has found it necessary, therefore, to cultivate her products exclusively for home consumption, and, in this cultivation, thought is given only to the supply of things necessary for the maintenance of the Italian people. Things that are most needed,—that give most sustenance, are being cultivated to the exclusion of things that brought income from outside, but did not fill the hungry mouths of the people. Also, food products that formerly had to be imported, are now being home grown. Fortunately, this is made easy by the fact that Italy is a "clime where every season smiles." It is favored by climatic conditions to a degree comparable to those of Southern California, and, accordingly, a great range of crops, both of a temperate-zone and of a tropical kind, can be grown readily. In the southern part of Italy the climate is semitropical. The soil is fertile and garden-truck grows in abundance—and many kinds of fruit, including oranges, lemons, grapes, apples, plums and pears. In the fertile plains of the north are fields where cereals are grown and these are being extended and prepared for intensified cultivation. The delta of the Piave, captured and held for a short time by the Austrians, is again in possession of Italy. Comprising some of the richest soil in the world, it will soon be flourishing with growing crops, and its fields will contribute substantially to the solution of Italy's food problem.

* * *

We may be sure then that Italy, plucky and staunch, will "carry on" through hardship to renewed prosperity. With the sympathetic assistance that is her due from the United States, there can be no question of the future. Italy's firmly booted leg will continue to kick its sturdy way down into the "warm waters" that Germany so desired; her fair domains will continue to enjoy that "place in the sun" that Prussia so imperiously demanded. With all her advantages of land and sea, Italy must "come through" and find plenty in the wake of peace.

W. D. Moffat

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NEW YEAR GREETING

The Mentorreceives friendly messages from its readers daily, and, at the turn of the New Year, many cordial greetings come in—for all of which thanks! full hearted and fervent thanks! These messages are a great encouragement and inspiration to us. With such endorsement of past accomplishment we look to the future with joyful confidence. The shortest, pithiest, and most expressive message that we have received came over the phone one morning not many days ago: "I like The Mentor because it is absolutely unique. The Mentor has a genius formaking knowledge human." Think of it, making knowledge human! That is a new phrase, and it pleases us mightily. To many people, knowledge, while much desired and sought after, presents an imposing and awesome front. To many, knowledge means toilsome and tedious study. If The Mentor has succeeded in making the halls and chambers in the Temple of Knowledge bright, sunny, and attractive; if it has made the pathways in the fields of research alluring and easy to pursue—in brief, if, as our reader says, it has "made knowledge human,"—we shall feel that we have accomplished something well worth while.

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Another message comes from Quebec. A member of our Association, with the fine old French-Canadian name of Gaston Beaupré, writes to us: "Allow me to congratulate you for your service to me since I joined Mentor Association. It is needless to tell you how much I appreciate my Mentors. I am looking forward to our dreaded and cold Canadian winter evenings without fear since I have plenty of Mentors to while away the time. The loneliest country in the world is lovely enough for me if I have a few copies of Mentor with me."

A well-wishing friend out in middle Pennsylvania, carrying out what seemed to be a New Year's resolution, sent us this greeting: "I have intended for a long time to write you a personal letter telling you of my appreciation of The Mentor. It has seemed to me to be the one place of resort where I could find enjoyment and forget for awhile. The Mentor is indeed areal part of my life. I should like to drop in and visit you at the home of The Mentor."

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