ITALIANS IN WAR TIME.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1330, 6 January 1912, Page 10

ITALIANS IN WAR TIME.

Wo were lif Florence .writes "Pippa in an Australian paper), when the annexation of Tripoli to . Italy was signed by the King. Travelling in Italy for a fort-, night previously, wo had scarcely been able to realise that tho sons of this fair country wore engaged in war, so few were the manifestations ef it. Trains we had occasionally passed, filled with soldiers, young men all, who smiled and joked as they leant out of tho carnage windows. But in Florence the picturesque old streets resounded with patriotic shouts, were alive with patriotio crowds, waving flags, and shouting, "Abasso i Turchi,' "Viva Tripoli Italiuna," "Viva!" Processions, mostly of students and < boys, charged along the narrow and historic wayi, bearing, banner-like, the silk flag ot ilalv, red and white'and green, topped by the 'lily of Florence, wrought in glistening gold: "Their'-objective was always-the Piazza Vittorio Bmanuele, where, in front of tho giant equestrian statue of the- first King of United Italy, the band plays. How marvellous and deep-rooted is this love of tho Italians for music. The old squares, or piazzas, on baud days in Venice, Milan, Florence, and many another historic Italian city, are simply crowded. Aud how earnostly and attentively the listeners stand. "Would my husband or my ,boy wait quiotl.v and hear any old musicians siring and drum out-a whole act from 'Taimhauser' or 'Aida/ said an American lady to mo. "Well, I guess not!" "Nor," she added, "any of your Australians, either." (She thinks she ought to know, too, having spent half a year in Australia.) But on Friday last tho crowds were thrilled and excited to the point of ecstasy. They shouted and elapped, and surged and swayed. No Wagner or Verdi operas for them on that occasion.' It-was the patriotic airs of Ilalv 'they. wanted, and would have. "Inno/" "Iiuio!" came from a hundred 'throats, and the cry was repeated by some hundreds more; and when tho conductor, acceding, struck up the stirring liymji of Garibaldi, how their eyes sparkled with delight. They clapped with enthusiasm and joy (drowning tho efforts of tho obliging .bandsmen), waved Hags, and uplifted tho banners, "singing—

Si scopron lo (ombo Si levan i morti Doi morti risorti,. ... 1.0 spade liel puguo Gil allori alle chiome. . , . Shouting as the music ended "Yivi i )i<fetri"KewagH6ri!" This last in odimrnlion of the Italian Bersaglicri, who .lmve fought so well tor their country in tins war against the Turks._ The crowds.m these squares are very picturesque, splashed as tlioy juio. with the most vivid colouring,'liot'lqnt, as is usual with human groupings; by the feminine- element, but here in Italy by the . uniforms at. the men. The military officers, in their dark blue coats embroidered with silver thread, and glittering with silver lace, and tricked, out with "frogs" and braiding, light blue cloth trousers, set, off attractively with lines of scarlet,, their clanking, shining swords, and, oh! their amazing headgear. Gleaming helmets of _ slecl and burnished gold,'furry caps with silver or enamel ornaments, and upstanding, im-:pcrfaSt'-lo6Kag"'~plwfies," crimson or ' dazzling white, waving feathers, or fairylooking white osproys that surely are tho 'envy of every woman's heart. Tlio palo jbluo voluminous cloaks of some of tho iofficers certainly attract the eye of tho •feminine beholder. "Jfy!" said the American, "what a. perfectly delicious party cape one of those would make,'' and straight-way entered a military tailor's with a view to obtaining one. The gendarmes, with their blue uniforms faced ;wi(h crjinson and heavy with steel buttons ami silver cordings,' their smart cockled up hats,' caught up imposingly with immense blue and crimson feathered topknots, add also to the gaiety of such a scene. Their services as gendarmes seem rarely to be required, however, for even on tho most uplifting of occasions theiO Italian people, though elated with patriolic fervour mid ?xci(omen(, simply lenvo it at that._ They lovo their country,■worship the King, and adore their national heroes anil national airs. In tho restaurants, where girl musicians chiefly play, the men call loudly for their favourite patriotic times while tliey sip beverages, harmless einugh. "Marche!" "Inno," "Mnmcli!" they shout, and are pacified and delighted when the girls, without noles of any kind before them, jilay the melodious "Inno di Garibaldi," tue rousing "Marche Reale" ("Koyal March"), or 'the ".Inno di llameli":— "Fratelli d' Italia 1/ Italia si desta. Doll' Elmo di C'into ■S'e cintiL la tesl«!"