Smyrna times., 1890-04-02
Bismarck's Legacy.
The TRIPLE ALLIANCE IN DANGER OF
DIsRUPTION-ITALY's SERIOUS
STATE.

Italy Is as much frightened at tn,
retirement of Prince Bismarck as if tn,
Keystone had fallen out of the Arch o.
Feace and the whole structure wa,
ABOUT to tumble down with a crash
statesmen are bewildered and stunned
and everybody is waiting for the sig
nal from Premier Crispi. He could
easily follow the lead of such a mighty
captain as Prince Bismarck and still
retain his prestige, but those who
know Signor Crispi feel certain that he
Will not submit to the domination OF
any other politician.
The triple alliance is in danger: thai
must be clear to any one who know.
the present situation in Italy. The
radicals are utterly opposed to the in
huence which Germany has exerted
over Italy through the triple alliance.
They are stirring up the people to de.
mand an independent national policy.
Premier. Crispi declined to tell me
what he thought of the outlook. His
organ, IL RefOrmG, declares that peace
is assured, but l have good reason for
believing that he expects the sword to
be drawn before long.
Look at the facts. A tremendous
army and navy have drained the
country and the nation is on the verge
OF bankruptcy. Great progress has
been made in education and liberty
but poverty stares the masses in the
face. While the nation is pressing its
claim tor dominion on the one hand
and the enmity of France is supposed
to threaten on the other, military ex.
penses cannot be decreased-and this
Is entirely aside from the triple alli-
ance against Russian ambition in the
Orient. But the people will not rea-
reason. Hunger pinches them, their
poverty is real and they both see and
feel 1t. They want a change, no mat
ter what it is.
If SignOr Crispi falls from power the
relations of Italy to Germany will un-
doubtedly be changed. If he remains
In control, ne will not be content to
play the second part any longer. That
Is the view Of his closest friends.
l have just come from an audience
with one Of the ablest statesmen of
Europe. He told me that Premier
Crlspl and his ministers were greatly
alarmed, and that the king was very
nervous.
Now that Prince Bismarck's strong
hand has been removed, do not see
how 1T is possible for the tripIe alli-
ance to stand long The German en-
peror has good intentions, but there is
no reason for thinking that he has the
strength to hold three nations together.
Prlnce Bismarck is too great man to
sulk. l know him well enough to feel
sure that he will lend his moral sup
port to the maintenance of peace, but
oeing out Of power Prince Bismarck
can do very little now. One hopeful
sign Is that Russia is not yet prepared
to begin a conflict"
II could give you the name of this
statesmen his words would startle
Europe, but he declined to compro-
mise himself. Nothing can draw
word from from Premier Crispi. The
radicals tried to force him on the gem
eral situation, but he declared with a
show ofanger that it was not an op-
perfume occasion to discuss the retire
ment of the German chancellor.
"Dlsarm Europe !" is the cry at the
vatican. The pope is willing to act as
a mediator. and every cardinal is in
favor of this policy. At present it is
safe to say that the Italian govern
ment would not accept the pontiff in
such an Office unless he formally
abandoned his claims for territorial
dominion and accepted his guaranteed
status as visiting sovereign. Cath
olic statesmen feel sure that the res.
ignatiOn Of Bismarck will enormously
strengthen their position.
There is much coming and going of
M. de SchlOezer, the Prussian envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tentlary to the Vatican in these days,
and l am assured on high authority
that NJ. de SchlOezer has been charged
to offer the pope further concessions
on the part of the Centre of the Reich
stag to the claims of the church of
Rome on condition that the Vatican
shall aid the new imperial policy of
Germany.
l haYe tried to get the details, but
no one will talk. The importance of
this news may be judged by the fact
that the German emperor has found it
necessary to write two different auto
graph letters, urging the pope to as
sist him. Judging by my talk with
Cardinal Rampolla, secretary of state.
the other night, should say the EN-.
peror will succeed in forming a strong
political alliance with the vatican.