The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-26
The Signs Of Discomfort In Italy.

The Signs Of Discomfort In Italy.
When GARIBALDI once more comes for
ward to preach new crusade against the
Austrian and indignation meetings are held
In more than twenty Italian cities on a sin
gle day, it IL worth while to examine the
ostensibe object and the probable motive Of
the demonstrations. We shall find the crisis
not unlike those which taxed the sagacity
Of CAvoUR, when the disappointment Of ma
tional aspirations was turned to account by
the reactionists, and the cry OF Italian unity
was raised loudest by the enemies Of Italian
freedom.
There Is no doubt that part OF the Ital-
ian press had insisted that Count CoRTI
should demand q compensation for the ag-
grandizcment acquired by Austria on tho
eastern shore Of the Adriatic. The thing
coveted was the southern angle of the Tyrol
once comprised in the prlncpality OF
Trent and still known rs the Trentino-which
breaks awkwardly enough the natural
defences Of the peninsula, or, as Ital-
ian newspapers express 1t, cuts like
tooth into the heart Of Lombardy.
So long ago as the first invasion OF Italy by
German Enperors, this section OF Rhaetia
was called the WEIGH Tyrol, and there IL
| still great proponderance OF the Italian
| over the Teutonic element In the population.
| Thus on grounds of ethnic identity, as well
as geographical symmetry and military ne
cessity, tho annexation OF the Trentino Is
vehemently desired by the Italians. Indeed,
1t was the popular yearning for accessions
in this quarter that prompted GARIDALDIs
abortive invasion in 1866.
1t so happens however, that the Trentino
is one OF those strategic points whose COM
mand Is OF equal Importance to the coun-
tries north and south Of the Rhaetian Alps.
Here the natural rampant OF mountain
bulges abruptly, and throws out an outwork
toward the valley Of the Pc. Now 1t Is true
that for nine hundred years, since OHIO l.
swept southwark to grasp the Lombard
cities, the mastery Of the Trentine passes
and the consequent control OF Lake Garda
and the upper Adige has proved key to the
subjugation or spoliation OF the peninsula.
BY this route a German force has repeatedly
appeared, unexpected and unresisted, at the
gates Of Mantua and Verona; and it was here
that a stream Of armies was poured down
| In the memorable campaign Of 1862
| against NAPOLEON. On the other hand
| history attests the vital consequence Of
this position to the defence Of Germany. IL
was the steadfast hold OF Rome upon the
passes OF Rhaetia that made possible the
conquest Of Suabia. and the firm grasp Of the
empire up to almost the last hour Of its ex-
istence upon the valleys Of the upper DAN
ube and upper Rhine. Nor will 1t be ques-
! toned that In modern times the possession
of the Trentino has more than once saved
| Austria at time OF exhaustion and despair.
| Thus, when Mantua was surrendered by
WoRMsRR, in the campaign just mentioned,
indispensable breathing time was assured
| to the HAPsBURo dynasty by the fact that
| NAPOLEON could not pierce Germany by the
| Tyrol passes, but was forced to make a long
detour by way of Veneta and the Carnthi-
an Alps. Now, that which proved TO be Of
signal advantage to Austria might, under
certain circumstances, be Of no little utility
to the German Empire and ii il not unlikely
that the determined opposition to cession
Of the Trontino, attributed to BISMARCK,
was really exhibited.
Unsupported by Germany and France, 1t
Is plain that Count CoRTI's attempt to Sc
cure some accessions in the valley Of the
Adge must miscarry. II would perhaps
be pointed out that Bosnia was not nomi-
nally annexed, but merely occupied by
Austria, and although such distinc-
tion is an obvious sophism the next
suggestion might have more weight,
namely, that neither France nor the Ger
man empire had exacted any compensation.
With what propriety could the Italian en-
voy Insist on wrenching slice OF territory
from the House OF HAPsBURG in the face
of what French newspapers call NJ. WAD-
DINGToN's sheep-like Observation-Disclosures and
Prince BIsMARCK's vulpine magnanimityS
II was by successive alliances with France
and Prussia that the kingdom Of Sardinia
grew into the kingdom Of Italy. They are
shortsigh ted, or insincere defenders Of Ital-
ian unity, who would precipitate the mon
archy into conflict with Austria without
the aid and seemingly against the
will, Of its old allies. II Is Of more
importance, after all. that a liberal Min,
istry should have time TO consolidate free
institutions throughout Italy than that the
HAPsBURG flag should cease to float above
the northern end Of the Lake OF Garda. This
is not the opinion Of the reactionsts who arc
now seeking to Gust CoRTI by the same
adroit tactics with which they triec
to shake CAvoUR. II anything, indeed
were wanting to attest the extravaganza
and hollowness Of the present demonstra
tions, it would be the coupling Of Triest,
with the Trentino In the demand for annex
alton. Trieste, wo need not say, is one o
the most favored and loyal cities in th'
Austrian dominions; wa will add that 4
has never, except during the LombarC
epoch been an undisputed component par
Of the Italian peninsula.
Another Good Sign from Syracuse.