Thomas Nelson Page to Woodrow Wilson

The internal situation in Italy seems to be giving some concern to those responsible for the Government, altho for the present they have the matter pretty well in hand. The failure of the wheat crop this year cut down the yield by about 25% under what it was last year, when also there was a short crop, and this has been used to the utmost possible by both Solialistic and Clerical propagandists to excite the people against the continuance of the war. As I have recently stated in more than one telegram, the Government here is very solicitous to have grain sent to Italy at the earliest moment possible, and even a moderate quantity sent at once would do much to relieve the situation which is a psychological one as well as a practical one. The Premier at luncheon yesterday given by the Italo-American League to the American Red Cross Commission, headed by Col. Geo. F. Baker, Jr., turned to Col. Baker and in my hearing made a very earnest statement of the situation. He had already told me that without a sufficient supply of bread, which the Italian laborers use in great quantity, and, in fact, live on Italy could not keep on. This want of sufficient grain has been used with great effect by the pro-peace propagandists, and it looks now as though there would be a fight on the floor of the Chamber, based on this condition.

Nothing would do more at present to help Italy than for us to declare a condition of war with Austria.

I have received today a report from one of our Consuls, a very earnest and clear-minded man, which so clearly expresses the conclusion which I myself have arrived at here in Rome that I am quoting it. He says: "I respectfully suggest that the following conditions in America I have found to be discouraging to Italy:

(1) "The lack of a definite declaration of war by America against Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey;"
(2) The lack of a formal pronouncement in favor of Italy's national aspirations;"
(3) The amazing liberty allowed to newspapers and agitators in America, and the shameless and unrestrained way certain Americans abroad have attacked their own Government."

I find that the utterances of President Wilson have been profoundly stimulating to Italian citizens of all classes, and that America's reply to the Pope's peace proposals had a very happy effect in discouraging the scuttling propaganda of the pacifists and I believe that a statement from him of sympathetic appreciation of Italy's great achievements in this war and of recognition of her desire to achieve national unity would be of great benefit."

I do not know myself whether you feel that the time has come for this step, but unquestionably Austria is engaged in war against us, in fact if not in name, and I know of nothing which would have so great an effect as would the adoption of the suggestion contained above.

Believe me, my dear Mr. President, always,
T. N. P.

N.B.The Red Cross Commission here has had a great success and I feel sure that it will accomplish great good.