[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—As the English wife
of an Italian husband, I feel I must write a protest to the unkind and absurd reports that are appearing in the English newspapers. More important still is my wish to show that the Italians are perfectly justified in practising the greatest severity on the treacherous Arabs.
I enclose a cutting from yesterday's Corriere della Sera, with the translation, also a cutting from this morning's Giornale d' Italia. The squeamish may say the details are too horrible for publication. I say that because they are horrible they must be published. And there are many other examples besides these. What can one do when the Arab women are as had as their men? One woman was discovered with a bundle on her back containing half a Bersagliere.
The Italians went off cheerfully enough to this war, think- ing, at least, to receive fair play from their adversaries. Is it to be wondered at if bitterness has entered their hearts at find- ing that they are simply dealing with barbarians P Yet even now they treat their savage opponents as one civilized nation should treat another. I doubt if those at the front know what calumnies are being spread about them, and doubt still more if they would care. But those at home who chafe with im- patience to he with the fighters, and fret with anxiety for friends and relations in danger, are maddened to see their fellow-countrymen so wronged and to be helpless to vindicate them. It is useless to try and console the Italians by telling them that these ill-natured articles are chiefly written by " penny-a-liners," whose bread-and-butter depends on the quantity, not on the quality, of the matter sent in. Their feelings are hurt that a friendly country should prove unkind in the hour of trial.
During the Boer War Heaven knows we suffered enough anxiety for our husbands, brothers, and friends ; but I do not remember that we had to fear that they would be mutilated and flayed alive.
I appeal to all nations, and especially to the English, for sympathy with Italy in her hour of anxiety for her• sons.—I am, Sir, &c., NORA. K. LEVA. (nee SHELLEY). , HUMANE SENTIMENTS.
EXAMPLES OP TURKISH CRUELTY.
We reproduce the chief part of a letter we have received from one who has been the last few days in Tripoli.
"Apropos of the remarks of certain foreign newspapers on the reaction which has justifiably set in with our troops after the treachery of the Arabs, first treated as brothers, I must ask you to-publish in large typo some of the atrocities perpetrated by the enemy. One of our wounded soldiers was saved by our troops from a horde of maddened fanatics who had begun to skin him alive. The poor man, who was released and is still living, has been dumb from that day. An cfficer was found tied to a tree riddled with bullets, and knife-wounds.
" After the conflict of October 23rd at Horns a wounded officer of the Bersagliere,lecompanied by an assistant of the Red Cross Society in the column, remained behind and fell into the hands of the Turkish Arabs; they were both found the day after quartered, with their eyes put out and their ears cut off.
"A wounded Arab taken to the hospital at Horns was doctored by the Italian surgeon. He gave the Italians to understand that they were very kind, and that he had a proof of it, being treated and cured like a wounded Italian. For all thanks the Arab spat in the face of the doctor.
"Enough for an intelligent person."
(Translated from the Corriere della Sera of November 9th, 1911.)
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