The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-10
Sketches OF Military Life IN Italy.

Sketches OF Military Life IN Italy.
In the volume bearing the above title and
published by the Putnams. a subject not espe-
cially attractive to American readers is made
interesting by the singular vivdness and ami
nation Of the authors narrative style. Signor
DI AMIors has been. 1t appears. and for aught
we know Is still. an officer in the Italian army.
and may we'll. therefore. have been an eye wit
ness Of the scenes and incidents which he so
graphically describes. One Of his objects he
tells US. in writing this book. was to lead the
italian workingman to appreciate the sacri-
fees and services Of the soldier. Thcre is no
doubt that the standing army is a great GEN.
Trailing agency. and that it has done more
than anything else to join the north and tho
south OF the peninsula in bonds OF sympathy
We do not refer merely to the fact that recruits
from the most widely separated Provinces
from Piedmont and from Sicily-are brought
into close contact. and form relations Of fra
ternal Intimacy which long outlast tho term OF
service. 1t is not only that each conscript
becomes jealous advocate of national unity.
but the services rendered by the army In time
of peacc-serviccs of tho most multifurous and
useful acknowledgements in many districts
almost the only visible and substantial benefits
derived from the consolidation of the peninsula
in single monarchy.
The relation Of tho italian army-we refer
of course. to the national organization. and not
to the Sandman establishment which formed
its nucleus-to the people whom it protects is
of u peculiar character. When we think Of it.
Italians have no special reason to be proud of
their military achievements during the last
quarter OF q century. 1t was France and not
Sardinia that wrestcd Lombardy from Austria
in 1859. and il Napoleon III. had not virtually
cried Hands off =" to the Hapsburg Govern
ment Count Cavour would not have been able
to acquire in swift succession for the house of
Savoy Tuscany. the Duchies. and a part OF the
papal territory in middle Italy. and the Two
Sciies in the south. Again. 1t was by Prus-
sian victories that Vcnctia was won in 1866 and
Rome in 1870. The portion Of his available
force which the Hapsburg Kaiser. who was
about to confront the Prussans Mt Sadowa. felt
himself able to detach for use in Italy. proved
itself quite competent to beat the Italians by
land and sea- and II Is well nigh certain that
had not the Franco Prussian war compelled the
withdrawal OF the French troops from Rome. the
Pope would still have been master the Eternal
City. 1t is in short absurd to speak OF the Italian
army as II il possessed any OF the prestige which
half u century ago caused Frenchmen to re-
gard with pride and rapture the veterans Of the
Napoleonic wars. or which to-day eSalts the
German soldier in the eyes OF his countrymen.
1t is by victories. and not by paneGyrics from
the clever hand OF Sgnor Di Amics. that the
|
italian soldier must expect to win the passion
ate admiration with which tho military
ser'icels resaroe" III some european countries.
But H. as we nave said the rceuihr army Oh
| consolidated Italy cannot point to any very
brilliant cxplolts on the heid OF pattie. II mas
rendered soma ana lhdlspehsao'e services 10
the country Increaiesre"t tracts Oh 'erritory
we might lnciude among them almost the
whoIe OF the peninsula .uth OF naples ana
| three -fourths Of Sicily-in which trade and
traVel would DC linprhcticaple out ior
the ihcessaht vigilance Oh An hohest ana
| courageous soldlery. FROM one poihtoi View'
indeeu. the ltaiah Summing army may DE
looked upon as an immense police force. whose
services TO industry ana commerce can haruy
| De oVcrestihateu' Inc most strlKihE chaptcr
In TINS volume is devoted TO an account OF the
benehcent work performed by the army IN
enforcing sanitary regulations during the
cholera epidemic OF 1867. It's to some extracts
from this chapter that illustrate the nature OF
| the functions imposed upon the Italian army
| In time OF peace that would direct attention.
Toward the end OF 1866 1t was hoped IN Italy
that the cholera. which mad Invaded many
provinces that year. would not return the fol-
lowing season. AS matter of fact 1t did re-
turn with greater force than before, and OF all
the Italian provinces that which suffered the
most was Sicily. to which island, accordingly,
Sisnor Di Amicis mainly confines himself in
his account OF the steps taken TO control and
| circumscribe the ravagcs OF the pestilcnce. 1t
seems that from the first indications of the
malady which manifested themselves in tho
provinces OF Girgenti and Caltanisetta during
January and February OF '67. Gen. Medici, COM
mandng tho division OF Palermo put in force
the most elaborate .hygienic precautions. Ho
| divided the corps into great number OF de-
| tachments. 80 that no city or village should be
| Nrit thnp, Ia nrlar hnf nv Aa
pitfalls for cholera patients. inllrmaries for those
suspected Of the disease. and detached houses
| for the convalescent should be opened every
| whore in the most remote and healthful locali-
| ties. He instituted commission for sanitary
| surveillance in every district. prescribed the