22 MAY 1915, Page 2

A great deal may be said about the fighting qualities

of the Italian Army. We venture to express our belief that Italy, both on sea and land, will prove herself in every way a worthy ally. Though we are sorry that the Italian people should have to share in the dreadful arbitrament of war, there is consolation in the thought that we and they will now

be fighting shoulder to shoulder, and that the sympathy which has always existed between the two nations will have full play. Italy is essentially a great-hearted nation.