AMERICANS FOR ITALY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16914, 29 July 1918, Page 4

AMERICANS FOR ITALY.

It has long been recognised as politically desirable that the American array should be represented on the Italian front, and the rapid military expansion of the United States has now made that possible. Trained troops are to be sent, to what number is not stated, but that is not important inasmuch as the Italians have shown themselves quite strong enough to control the situation on their front The important fact is that the Italians are to be given concrete evidence of American strength and determination. This demonstration cannot fail to have the same effect - in encouraging Italy as it had on Vance and Britain. America holds a unique position among the Allies in two respects. She is the only combatant whose resources are yet hardly brought into play. The growth of her army is therefore an , inspiration to the nations which ' have, been spending their strength in the struggle for several years. : Moreover the experience of America '• is a perpetual warning against an '' inconclusive peace. The United ! States remained neutral until April, ; 1917, because of a national leaning ' to peace which amounted almost to ' a passion. She was then forced to ,' admit that Prussian militarism was I so inimical that she must fight it. ' The growth of her armies is now [ not only providing the means of , victory, but is at the same time i steeling the soul of every European ally against an inconclusive peace j permitting the continuance of a a menace reaching as far as America. ' The United States army is the last t reserve of civilisation against the > sneray of the whole world, and is an 1 evidence of the futility of treaty and l negotiation when a bandit State !} Beoks to gain its ends by brute force. »