Ambassadorial Comment

ITALY

Prince Gelasio Caetani, Italian Ambassador, returned to the U. S. after a brief visit to Mussoliniland. Said he:

Of the Italo-Greek incident. "The Italian-Greek incident is closed. . . . Italy has acted in the same way as the U. S., France or England would have acted in similar circumstances and as they have acted in the past. The authors of the horrible crime are still in hiding and the Italian people are firmly and confidently waiting for justice to be administered."

Of his work. " I consider that the principal aim of my mission is to make the American people understand what Italy is and what are her aims and ideals. The necessity of this has been proved by recent events. Erroneous news and malevolent interpretations have been flashed all over the world. Generally speaking, we have had an acrimonious press. Diplomatic work is not very difficult or complicated in the U. S., especially when two Governments like ours deal in a frank and business-like way.

"Roundabout and cunning proceedings are not to the liking of Secretary of State Hughes or myself. Mussolini, too, goes straight to the point and it is amazing the amount of business he transacts in an hour."

Of Mussolini and Mussolinism. "Mussolini has defended our national honor and does not admit any dodging of responsibilities. . . . The storm of suspicion, of alarm and of unwarranted misunderstanding that has swept the world press has faded into nothing and will, I hope, leave a clearer atmosphere and a better appreciation of my country."

Of Fiume. " The Fiume question is still hanging fire, but I am confident that it will be settled in a satisfactory way before long. Everybody speaks about Fiume, but few persons know how things really stand and many even do not know where the Martyr City is geographically located.

"Italy has proved during four years that she intends to fulfill loyally the Treaty of Rapallo; she has not even feared to fire upon the brave and patriotic followers of d'Annunzio and to shed the blood of her own sons. Even more, Italy has willingly complied with conditions that were profoundly distasteful to the national feeling, the election of Zanella and the evacuation of Sussak and of the third Dalmatian zone.

"On the other hand the autonomous life of Fiume has proved a material impossibility. The internal strife is too violent and could lead to serious troubles. The city cannot live without finding a powerful moral and financial support. Its small population of 40,000 souls cannot bear unaided the weight of such a large and important administration. So far Italy has spent hundreds of millions in supporting the Harbor-City and has saved it from anarchy."