An ardent group of Italian women prepared the ground and labored for
years to convince their sisters that they were wrong in the belief that
under all conditions "a woman's place is in her home." This belief was
almost a religion in the southern provinces of Italy; the prejudice
there was so strong that it required the utmost courage of the women to
combat it. Intelligent, progressive and cultured Italian girls are now
to be found in almost every occupation in which their English, French
and American sisters are engaged. This revolution in the attitude of
Italian women is accepted, not as a temporary war necessity, but as
a permanent change that cannot fail to have a deep and, on the whole,
beneficent effect upon social conditions in Italy.
_Food Regulations_
Conditions in civil life are comparatively good. Of course, there are
many restrictions, above all in food conservation and supply. Prices
have increased, but so have salaries. There are no unemployed, and the
working classes generally are prosperous.
War conditions required three meatless days per week, as in the other
countries of the Allies. Cards were given for bread, sugar, coal, olive
oil, macaroni and rice. That the quantity allowed to each individual
was sufficient was proved by the fact that the authorities often
received offers to diminish the rations of some families who found they
had more than they needed. The use of gas was limited to meal hours for
heating, and for illumination until ten o'clock at night.
[Illustration: Hall of the Great Council, Ducal Palace, Venice.