E. M. Newman

“ Italy is a poor country, but her sons and daughters are eager to learn, and, poor as they are, they are willing to make sacrifices rather than give up attending school.
Many of the art students are gone, and some of the schools are closed. Beppo the model is no longer to be found on the steps of the Piazza Espagne, but the love of art has sufficed to keep some of the art schools going, no matter how rigorous the conditions.
Music is in the soul of the Italian, and the conservatories will continue in session as long as there is a pupil left. ”

“ Officers are seen only in field uniform, privates in the gray of the battle-field. Women no longer attempt display, only the simplest effects are seen. All ostentation in the wearing of gowns and jewelry is frowned upon.
None has suffered more than the nobility. Most of them being of moderate means, the war brought many sacrifices, endangering slender purses and curtailing most needed comforts. A number have had to sell their prized art treasures to keep from actual want.
The beautiful Palace on the Quirinal is now a hospital. Many of its nurses are the noble women of Italy. ”

“ HOW to keep the soldiers supplied with sufficient nourishing food was one of the first and most serious matters the Italian Government had to consider. As everyone knows, the principal articles of food consumption among Italians of every station, rich or poor, are macaroni and spaghetti. The staff of life of the Italian people, they are made almost entirely of flour.
Italy never has grown enough wheat to supply her needs. Under war conditions her imports fell to such an extent that little or no wheat could be obtained. ”

“ Copyright, 1919, by the Mentor Association, Inc.
ITALY has played a far more important part in the World War than is apparent to one who has not given the subject special consideration. The neutral nations have directed most of their thoughts to England and France. To do Italy full justice, the fact must be emphasized that she came into the war at a time when the Allies were in great need of her. The outlook for England and France was most serious when the Italian people, roused by love of liberty and democracy, demanded that their Government cast its lot with the Allies and declare war. ”

“ The beautiful numbers of the unique Mentor Library will never be out of date, as every issue of The Mentor is devoted to an important subject of enduring interest. The concise form in which scores of subjects are covered makes it of the greatest practical value to the business man, to the active woman who appreciates the importance of being well informed, and to children, who will find it of great direct value in their school work. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Bread, as in America, is mixed with other cereals, and for civilians practically no white bread can be obtained. In the army, there are no restrictions—the best of food is given to the soldiers. They obtain meat, butter, milk, sugar and other edibles denied wholly or in part to civilians.
As in France, wine is a part of the regular rations. Various welfare organizations see that the people do not suffer for want of food. Irrigation and intensive farming, in which representatives of all classes are now helping, is aiding in the solution of the food problem. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Society does not consider it good form to wear evening dress. It would not be in taste for women to be elaborately gowned, or to attempt to give dances or house parties. Officers do not wear their dress uniforms, no matter what may be the function they attend. Ladies avoid the use of jewels, and there is, generally speaking, a soberness in the dressing of both men and women. Italy, however, is not gloomy nor depressed. ”

“ 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 for making knowledge human." ”

“ Italian women have proved themselves worthy mates and daughters of the heroic sons and soldiers of Italy. To them is due the initiative in the forming of several patriotic organizations, such as the "White Cross," for the protection of little children, "The Sowers of Courage," and "The Smile to the Strong," formed for helping and encouraging the fighting sons of Italy. Soldiers' huts have been erected and put in charge of the members of an association known as "Soldiers' Mammas." ”

“ The central organization of the Italian Red Cross has naturally assumed the responsibility and direction of all relief work, both for soldiers and civilians. Numerous other organizations have sprung into existence; chief among them is "Le Samaritane," which is under the presidency of Her Majesty, Queen Helena of Italy. In this organization are thousands of women who are members of the best Italian society, and they have rendered effective and generous assistance in many ways, relieving distress wherever they find it. ”

“ If the men on the farm had gone to war, the women took their places. The Government encouraged and aided the farmers in every possible way, and then when aid came from the United States, in addition to sacrifices and restrictions in Italy, the situation improved.
Fruit and vegetables are plentiful and, for these times, reasonably cheap. Italians are not great meat-eaters; they have sufficient meat for their needs, and by adhering rigidly to the regulations they have been able to keep the army fully supplied. ”

“ 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. ”

“ AN ITALIAN KINDERGARTEN SHATTERED BY AN AIR BOMB
ITALY UNDER WAR CONDITIONS
Educational Conditions
THREE
WAR did not seriously interfere with the grammar and high schools throughout Italy. It is in the higher schools, such as the universities, the medical colleges and in the technical schools that a changed condition is seen. Women came to the aid of the country in the crisis which called so many men to the colors. Many of the teachers in the elementary schools are women and girls, who are ably taking the places of the men whose positions were made vacant. ”

“ Romans still love to dine on the sidewalks, partake of their ices, and sip their wine and coffee at little tables placed where pedestrians are supposed to pass. They attend the theater, the opera and the various other places of amusement of which they are so fond.
The main difference in the city's aspect is in the dress of the people. ”

“ This has been made possible by the establishment of the so-called "Universita Castrense," or Camp University, situated in the war zone, where distinguished physicians who are also university professors teach the young students, while teachers and pupils alternate the hours of class with those of service in the camp hospitals. The change caused by the war in the condition of women has probably been more profound and more keenly felt in Italy than in other countries, such as England and France, where women have for many years been engaged in various useful pursuits. ”

“ Da Vinci's great picture is painted on the wall of the Refectory of the Church of Santa Maria della Grazie, Milan, Italy
Many hotels are closed, tourists come no more. No Italian city has suffered from the effects of war so much as Venice. Industries have been ruined, its commerce depleted. Its churches and hospitals have again and again been bombed from the air. Frescoes have been obliterated that can never be replaced, though much of the damage done will soon be repaired. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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.
From far out in Montana a doctor writes to us: "I was glad to get your letter today as a reminder. I have missed The Mentor since my membership ran out. ”

“ The latchstring of The Mentor door is always loose and a warm welcome within awaits every member of The Mentor Association. If you are ever in New York, come in and visit us so that we may come to know each other well. ”

“ This revolution in the attitude of Italian women is accepted, not as a temporary war necessity, but as a permanent change that cannot fail to have a deep and, on the whole, beneficent effect upon social conditions in Italy. [6]
Food Regulations
Conditions in civil life are comparatively good. Of course, there are many restrictions, above all in food conservation and supply. Prices have increased, but so have salaries. There are no unemployed, and the working classes generally are prosperous. ”

“ One of the great advantages of owning The Mentor Library is that it grows in value from year to year—giving an endless supply of instructive and wonderfully illustrated material that would be impossible to obtain elsewhere. It constitutes one of the most valuable educational sets that you could possibly own, and, each year, the set is enlarged by one volume at a very small additional cost. ”

“ By a system which permitted the return of professors in service at the front, although only for a limited period, the efficiency of the various universities and colleges was continued through the war. Students co-operated with the Government, some even giving up their furloughs to attend school.
Education for the youth of the land is still compulsory. The standard of wages among teachers remains very low, and out of proportion to the increased cost of living, but the recipients seem willing to sacrifice comfort for the general good. ”

“ An Allied victory was the one object, and Italy was ready [10] to 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. Newman
MARKET WOMEN OF ITALY
Italy, though needing food, is not starving, nor is she depressed. ”

“ With the United States as an ally, loans have been made to Italy, her credit has been re-established, the lira has gradually increased in value, and with steel and coal in sufficient quantities for all purposes, prosperity is returning. ”

“ The Adriatic and the Mediterranean abound with fish of almost every variety. Fishermen are therefore able to meet the country's needs. Next to macaroni and spaghetti the Italians like fish, and as it is far cheaper than meat, for the poorer classes it forms a food which they can afford to buy. ”

“ 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. ”

“ No food can be served unless it is on the approved list. In large cities, there is a committee of control, composed of five citizens appointed by the mayor, whose duty it is to see that the restrictions are rigidly observed. ”

“ The other factor is the prevalence of co-operative societies that sell to their members at cost or almost at cost. Retailers have to compete with these societies, and there is a consequent curb on profiteering. Nearly every trade or profession has its own co-operative stores. ”