The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-05
THE ITALIAN CRISIS.

When the long and brilliant career of
Agostino DepretiS was brought to a close by
his death in July, 1887, Signor Crispi, who
had been member OF the Depretis Cabi-
net, was called to the head of affairs. He
had made himself chiefly known as leader
of the opposition, and bitter foe OF 1.-THE
sage of Siradella." But in Italy they have
a curious way of inviting the leaders of hos
tile parties into the same administration, so
that each cabinet is piece of mosaic con-
sisting of apparently incOngruOus and ire
concllable material When Crispi took
power it devolved on him to defend many
measures of policy which he had spent his
life in assailng.
The cardinal difficulty in Italian. politics
arises from the severity with which taxa
ton presses on the people. In order to full
fill Italy's covenants in the Drelbund, King
Umberto has felt bound to keep on foot an
army and navy utterly disproportionate to
ltaly's means. For the sake of glory he
has likewise incurred heavy expenditures
Cor filibuslering purposes in Africa Stimuli
taupouslv. n commercial war with France
has diminished the ade between the two
countries, and deprived Italy of market
for much of her surplus produce. Msgoy-
eminent in one shape and another has
vastly increased the cost of living; sugar
sells at 2S cents pound, and coffee at 80
cents, and at the same time the wages of
and demand for labor nave decreased. Tax
alton presses SO heavily on the people that
the horsepower is said to pay oGe-third of
his rents and the farmer one-third OF his
crop to the taX-gatherer. This state Of
things has eXaS Grated the Italians, and for
some time it has been an open secret that
the Kings throne would not be safe for an
hour if the large army under his orders was
disbanded.
The standing controversy between the
Vatican and the Quirinal involves steady
disperdliOn of national force. \ rumor
was circulated, when Depretis died, that his
successor would come to a cordial under
standing with the Pope, but this was en-
phatically denied by the new Prime Minis
ter. In the cities of Italy the adherents of
the monarchy are all-powerful, but in the
rural districts the friends of the Papacy are
in majority. 1t has never been possible
to reckon exactly the relative strength of
the two parties, as the policy of the Vatican
has been to prevent its followers from TAX
ing part in elections Thus, at the last
election, cut of 2,420,0 900 qualified electors
there is both property and an educational
qualification in ltay-Ony ! ,407, COO actually
cast their ballots. 1t is quite uncertain
whether the monarchy could command a net
majority Of the people on plebiscitum.
II does not appear that Crispi fell on any
question OF principle. The adverse vote
which compelled him to tender his reSgna-
ton was on a subordinate question Of taxes
on spirits. lie was overthrown by a cabal
which was after Office. and did not claim to
have policy. Depretis was once or twice
upset in the same way, bat he was so dex-
ferrous, and had such hold on the public
heat that he always reganed power after a
brief interregnum. His successor was
neither as popular nor as adroit At any
rate, some member of the Right Will now
have chance of trying his hand at govern
ment.
The imbroglio Will be further complicated
if the Pope should happen to die--as there
seems to be some apprehension that he may.
1t has been for some years an Unwritten law
in Italy that the man who fills the chair of
st. Peter must be an Italian. The days
when the decision of the College Of Cardi-
nails was dictated at Paris, or Madrid, or
Vienna have passed away. This being the
case, efforts will be made by the King to Sc
cure the election of a Cardinal who is
friendly to the monarchy and is willing to
relinquish claims to temporal sovereignty !;
while, on the other hand, the Church party
will try to elect Cardinal who is exactly
the opposite. Between the two, 1t is posi-
bic that the present Uneasiness, which is re-
fected in the fall of Italian securities, may
assume still graver ASPECT.