THE SPIRIT OF ITALY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 208, 2 September 1919, Page 8

THE SPIRIT OF ITALY.

(To the Edltor.l l Sir, —Referring to your leader on the above question in the "Star" of August 28, I might mention that the Jugoslavs ; consider it distinctly unfortunate that i the public opinion in Italy should still be swayed by the imagination of "an uninstructed and emotional populace." ,To single out and blame the Croats for ;the evils of former Austrian rule in Northern Italy may be very useful for I propaganda in the hands of Italian Imperialists just at present. This action, 'however, hardly does justice either to

the said branch of the Jugoslavs or to the reasonable and responsible elements amongst the Italians themselves. If Croatian soldiers were in former times sent to Italy as a portion of conscripted Austrian armies, it must be remembered that they had no choice but to fight as they were bidden, mixed as they were j only too often with other nationalities of the former monarchy. The advanced , elements no doubt realised that no good | can come out of it, just as the reasoning portion of the Italian armies at present occupying Jugoslav districts -must be j getting convinced that in the long run nothing but harm can accrue to Italy from trying to annex these parts against the will of the inhabitants. There are times when so-called "submerged nationalities" are not worth having, as Germany realised quite recently. I have been in Italy several times and am lirmly convinced that an understanding on the Adriatic question can be arranged by reasonable elements on both sides; incalculable harm, however, may result from exciting popular passions.—l am, etc., FRANCIS M3KLAVCIC.