The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-07

In IN article recently contributed to Lon
don periodical Signor CR1sP1 asserts that the
only present ground Of controversy between
France and Italy is tho Papal question. II
we look, however. at the date when the dis
agreement began to take the place OF
friendship. we shall sec that 1t Is cause
sathcr than an effect Of the conflicting views
held by the French and the Italian Gov
ernments regarding the status OF the Pope.
In word, II the French had not seized Tu-
mis-. the Italians would probably not have
formed an alliance with Germany and Aus
tria, and thus have driven France to use by
way OF retaliation the Papal question to
worry and alarm the Qulrinal
For upward OF forty years all genuine
French republicans have been disposed to
favor the suppression Of the Pope's tenn
porL power. They disapproved OF the
restoration of Pope PICs TX. BY French
troops during the Presidency Of LOUIS
NAPo1EoN. They continued Under tho
second empire to oppose the maintenance
of . French force In the States OF the
Church, and an Influential section Of the
Imperialists themselves. hended by the late
Prince NAPOLEON. Joined in tho remon-
STRANGE. Tho fact that VICTOR EMANUEL
seized the opportunity afforded by the
downfall OF NAPoLEoN III. to occupy Rome.
excited no Indignation among French re-
publicans. while GARIBALDI's eXertlons on
their side against the Germans were &C.
cepted as conclusive proof Of the sympathies
uniting the italian and French peoples.
This friendly state OF things continued for
some years after the peace Of Frankfort.
and the period was marked by o rapid
growth Of republicanism In Italy and by
the Laiia LTsdenta agitation. aimed Of
course at the recovery Of the Trcntlno and
Trieste
Then came the Congress Of Berlin. at
which 1t is now known that the &C.
qulsition OF the Regency OF Tuns was
suggested by BISMARCK to the representa-.
tives Of both France and Italy. Tho pro-
posal was at the time declined by both
diplomatists. apparently out Of regard to
the susceptibilities of their respective coun-
tries and an uuwillingness to disturb the
relations OF amity then existing. The
moderation evinced at Berlin by Mr.. WAp-
DMoToN did not. however. please GAM
BETA. who. when he became all-pownrfu!,
found pretext for the occupation Of Tunis
by French army. This act gave deep and
probably irreparabe offence to Italy, for
several reasons first. the Italians resldentin
Ttlnis Tar outnumbered tho French, and had
long been the chief purveyors and Gus.
TONERS OF tho Regency. In the second
plaos. tho control OF the Tunisian harbors
BY French fleets would constitute perpet-
nal menace to the ncighboring island Of
Sicily and to the Adriatic coast OF Italy.
q Nor was 1t merely the positive damage
suffered through tho occupation OF this
particular territory which filed Italians
With dismay. The seizure OF Tunis was
recognised as but the first move In pro-
grAmme whose purpose was the establish.
Snent Of French preponderance In the Medl-
terfanean and tho ultimate exclusion Of
Itollans from the Levantine trade. Now,
blth additionally and actually. the Italians
h6ve o right to deem themselves the CHIEF
eemmon carriers between Europe and the
e6untries comprised In the Ottoman empire.
From this point Of view tho present king
'dem OF Italy is the heir Of Pisa. Genoa. and
VAAioe. and there are many more repre-
ojntatives Of the italian people than Of any
Iether European nationality In 0alata, In
Dmyrna, In Beirut, In Alexandria. and
throughout the Levant. Il would 20 far TO
rnin Italy 70 rob her OF this traffic, which
has been for centuries lcr principal re.
Source. and therefore, when the occupa-
tioh OF Tunis revealed the wish Of France
10 monopoiize the commerce OF the
Mediterranean. the Instinct Of self-preservs-
non threw the italian Government Into the
arms u the two central powers. Tho Triple
Alliance once erected. Italy and France
neosssafily entered on divergent paths. and
the chances Of reconciliation were soon
lesseDed by fresh causes OF estrangement.
s,icl, Ms III" failure Ia renew the commercial
tieaty ald the INCREASING disposition cvinccd
~ the Paris Government 10 make the Papal
apestion thorn In King HuMBsRr's side.
- the other hand. the Italians, not content
nth forming close relations with the I'M
MI ~ ~ y. ~, 'A's-~."-. ~