1915-06-03rr

“Most of the Italians in Hamilton and the rest of Wentworth county are waiting the call to battle from their motherland.”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 24, 1915.

Italy did not enter the Great War when most of the rest of Europe entered into hostilities in August 1914.

Hamilton had been an attraction for a large number of Italian men seeking employment in 1914 and 1915.

For almost a year, these individuals had been watching the events in Europe closely, wondering whether they might be affected:

“The tidings that Italy had declared war, which were announced last night, were received with great rejoicing by the local sons of Italy. Most of the male Italian residents  are of military age and are anxious to serve their country.”¹

¹ “Sons of Italy Await the Call : Many Are Anxious to Join the Colors at Once.”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 24, 1915.

Italy was at war as of May 23, 1915, but, despite the enthusiasm of the Italians of Hamilton to serve,  the country seemed to have enough soldiers at hand, and was prepared :

“The large and splendidly equipped army of Italy will have to be reduced first. Ever since the war started, Italy has been preparing for her entrance. The result is that she now has one of the finest fighting machines in Europe. The large munitions and arms factories have been making war materials for Italy for six or seven months. They have made a large quantity of the largest artillery guns in the world.”¹

A few days previous to the formal announcement of Italy’s entry into the war, a Spectator representative had contacted L. P. Scarrone, the Italian consular agent in Hamilton. He said that if the Italian government ordered that Italians in Canada to return to their native country to serve in the army, transport  ships would be sent to New York City and Quebec for them. However, unless the Italian government formally requested that Italians in Canada were required to return home, any individual wishing to fight in that country’s army would have to pay their own way.

The eagerness of most Italians in Hamilton to join the war was high:

“One member of the Italian colony asked last night if the fighting had begun yet. Upon being told that it had not, he said: ‘I hope it begins soon. I’d give anything to be in it.’ ”¹

As of May 1915, it was estimated that there were about 2,000,000 Italians in the United States, with over 400,000 in New York City. In Canada, there were about 100,000 Italians, with about 1,500 of that number living in Hamilton. Most of those numbers were of Italian men of military age, who would be susceptible for a recall to join the military.

On June 2, 1915, after 10 days of waiting for word from the Italian government, the Italians in Hamilton received word on their status:

“All Italian reservists living in Hamilton are being notified today to hold themselves in readiness for a call to the colors. A proclamation to that effect was received here received here yesterday by L. P. Scarrone, 278 John street north, the official communication being received from the consul-general in Montreal, Cavaller G. Chilesotti.

“The notice received by Mr. Scarrone, who is acting for the Italian government in this city, is but a forerunner to the call to arms which will come shortly. The intimation that the call will come shortly has been given in order that all reservists may settle their affairs before the royal decree comes

“ The official notice to Mr. Scarrone is as follows : ‘A general mobilization of the Italian army having been proclaimed, I ask you to notify all the inscript of the pending class and the soldiers of the class undermentioned that they must be ready to leave for the kingdom as soon as notice will be given (within a few days). The transportation on land sea will be at the charge of the royal government.’ ”²

² “Italy Calls Her Sons to the Colors : Twenty Thousand Reservists Expected From Dominion”

Hamilton Spectator.   June 2, 1915.

The classes of reservists to be called were printed in the Spectator, mainly in Italian as per the request.

“They were as follows “Esercito Permanente – Fanetria di Linea and Alpini classi from 1888 to 1895. Artigiera de Fortezza and da costa from 1887 to 1895. Cavalieria, Artigiera, Genio, Corpi dei varii servizi military corpi ospedale sanitari in genere 1886 to 1895. Aviatori Militari classes from 1890 to 1895. Guardie di Finanza and Bersagilieri from 1886 to 1895. Carabinieri classes from 1895 to 1895. Granattieri classes from from 1889 to 1895.

“Cilizia Mobile – Guardie di Finanza from 1882 to 1885. Alpini from 1882 to 1883. Cavalileria, Artigieria, Genio, Corpi sanitari and altri servizi from 1882 to 1885.

“Territoriale- Guardie di Finanza e Carabinieri from 1876 to 1881. Tutti gii altri corpi from 1876 to 1881.

“The ufficiali de compliment shall leave immediately. On arrival in Italy they will be refunded their travelling expenses and will receive their indemnity of Campaign.

“The Omessi de Lava and the Renitenti will be exempt of punishment if they will answer promptly to the appeal.”²