The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-07-05
Important Debate in the italian Senate.
- REGENERATED ITALY DEFENsELEss
AGAINST INVASION.

During the first week in June the Italian
Senate adopted, by a large majority, a mo
ton of.General Cialdini for suspending the
discussion of the project for the defence o
| the State, and inviting Ministers to bring
it forward whenever the necessary sums
shall be forthcoming. Cialdini and Mepa
brea, Minghetti and the War Minister tool
part in this debate. 1t was urged that
Italy was practically defenceless against
an invasion by land, not having facilities
TOT concentrating troops on given point
in an emergency, while the Italian navy
was utterly unable to prevent the French
! from landing an army at Civita Vecchia, OF
other ports, to assault Rome or Naples. All
| the speakers concurred in acknowIedg ine
the Insecurity of the present state of affairs
and the necessity for Italy to be prepared
for war. General Cialdini, in proposing
! the suspension of the consideration of the
defence measures was desirous to avoid the
risk of a hostile vote in the Senate. There
is strong partyin Italy anxious to pre-
vent any further expenditure on the army,
from a conviction that the country cannot
and that pacific policy is best for the
prosperity of the new Kingdom. Cialdini
fully acknowledges the force of this view,
Arrived as We are, such are his words
-" at the completion of our national en-
terprise, and being in possession of our
desired objects, we might we'll enter now
on a course entirely peaceful. But, on the
other hand, can we to day cancel the facts
OF yesterday We have arrived at Rome,
trampiiDg down in our way principles, in :
terests and institutions. We have entered
Rome by the moral means which all UNDER
stand, and here we remain in opposition to
the Catholic sentiment. augur for my
country Ministry able and fortunate
enough to know how eventually to recon-
CHE the religious sentiment with the politi-.
cal, but meanwhile we ought to hold onr-
selves prepared for any sudden emergency
let US not forget how Unexpectedly the
war of 1870 broke out in Europe. We
may doubtless expect allies, but alliances
are only fruitful when contracted ON terms
acd conditions at least of moral equality.
Italy should be prepared TO sustain war
even without allies in case of SURPRISE"
Cialdini objected to the formula )" Let
Italy be rich If she would be strong" and
would prefer the formula, "Let Italy be
strong If she would be rich.n He thought
riches aud strength should go together and
be equally cared for. His speech was lis
tened to with marked attention. ta..l =. 4
General Menabrea, who spoke before
Cialdini, was also heard with deep interest.
ne considered delay in providing for the
defence of the country serious error. He
deprecated giving way to illusions respect
ing the continuance of peace. He reminded
the house how, in 1913, Re1montese
minister termed soldiers a luxury because
peace was secure. Yet shortly afterward
war broke out. Again we have 1870, he
remarked, and he recalled the vain as
surances of Lama in that year to the effect
that peace would prevail. To-day we have |
all the European states, including cautious
England, making provision against war.
In ten days-said Menabrea-a French
army could march into the centre of Pied
mont. In three days an army corps dis
r in ~ 1rkr ~ -
AND bold enemy could, in q few days, |
levy war contributions from our principal |
cities to the amount of one hundred mill |
lions. Let us not count upon our marine, |
IL can In no way compete with the fleets of |
the great powers. Menabrea expressed |
astonishment that every now and then q |
party arose which saw no other means of |
restoring the financial deficit save by econ
omy In the military department. If you
wish an army, let it have what is required,
without subterfuge or delay. But if not, it
were better to at once disband our soldiers
aud keep only forty thousand carabineers
for police purposes. n.ff
hicotti, Minister for War, said he re-
yretted the Notifications lees than the other
military expenses, and although he earn
estly wished the defence bill to pass, get in
he absence of funds he himself asked for
a,Se'ay;, lie censured the exaggerations of
Mena6rsa, and said if the French could
come in three days to Turin the Italians in
me same time could get to Mont Gents.
4lnghetti also termed the statements of
Menabrea exaggeretions, and said
ne had forgotten that the question was one
Tot merely of two millions for one year,
'nt OF eighty millions, sum which would
Telgh heavily on the Italian credit and
esources. He concluded long speech by
aging that the bill, though now suspend
ID, would assuredly be hereafter passed.
1T 10 false to say,"-so declared Mnghetti
-"tbat we wished to abandon the army.
is equally false to say we mean to alb.
ndon public works in provinces where
uch are necessary, But we will not ex
ggerate, that we may not compromise the
uccess of our plans. believe we shall
ttain the haven of safety. The Ministry
as clear idea of what it means to do.
nd how to do it, and will remain faithful
it's purpose, long as it retains the con-
denoe Of King. and Parliament.n These &
lords of Mingbetti were received with ap-
iause in the Senate. The italian Premier, 6
tho was once in the service of Plus TX,
as curious facility of forgetting his
'ords. A few days ago he said he would