View source for Statement of Francesco Ruffini, Italian Minister of Public Instruction, Rome, January 14, 1917

<p align="right"> [[Main_Page | WWI Document Archive ]] > [[1916 Documents]] > [[Official Communications and Speeches Relating to Peace Proposals 1916-1917]] > '''Statement of Francesco Ruffini, Italian Minister of Public Instruction, Rome, January 14, 1917'''</p><hr>

'''Statement of Francesco Ruffini, Italian Minister of Public Instruction, Rome, January 14, 1917<sup>1</sup>'''

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the note of the Allies to President Wilson, they make a point <br>
which is understandable to neutrals, and particularly to America. Italy, <br>
no less than her allies, awaits with calm confidence the realization of <br>
the aims set forth in that passage of the note which refers to the re- <br>
demption of Italians subject to Austria. The German press seeks <br>
to depict Italy as desirous of conquests, but American public opinion, <br>
so far-seeing, so well educated to freedom and to a deep spirit of <br>
national unity, can not confound brutal lust of conquest with a justified <br>
claim to territories with populations like those of the Trentino, Istria <br>
and Dalmatia. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These territories have had only one civilization in their history, that <br>
of Italy, and only one great humiliation — which must cease — that of <br>
foreign domination which attempted to destroy the principle of na- <br>
tionality. America knows well that Italy, notwithstanding these just <br>
claims, abstained from any provocation before the European conflagra- <br>
tion, being occupied only with her peaceful development. Austria was <br>
responsible for the outbreak of the conflict, having willed war with <br>
Serbia after provoking Italy one hundred times with violent persecu- <br>
tion of Italians of Trent, Trieste, Fiume and Zara, whom she denied <br>
even the right to educate themselves in their own language. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once the conflagration was ignited, Italy felt that fate called her to <br>
complete her national unity and resume her just and holy work and her <br>
wars of independence, which have been studied with such enthusiasm <br>
by your illustrious American historians. Only those who are ignorant <br>
of the history of Austria's violent usurpations were surprised by Italy's <br>
action, initiated by her victorious armies, or considered her just claims <br>
to be ambition for conquest. Italy faced the terrible sacrifices of blood <br>
and riches imposed by the war with that same religious spirit which <br>
animated all the deeds of her national resurrection, of which America's <br>
attainment of independence was so full. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Italy counts on the considered and tranquil judgment of American<br> 
public opinion which, while justly desiring the return of peace, can not, <br>
if it examines the origin of the conflict and the problem raised thereby, <br>
wish that the European equilibrium, broken by violence in 1914, be <br>
replaced to-day by a premature and unfruitful peace containing the <br>
germs of graver conflicts in the future.<br>

<hr>
<sup>1</sup><i>The New York Times</i>, January 16, 1917