The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-08
CONDITION OF ITALY.

Italy occupies at the present time position
which must afford its own citizens very little
satisfaction, whether they consider the inter-
nal affairs of the kingdom or contemplate its
relations with foreign powers.
With respect to the latter, the diplomatic
episode growing out of the lynching at New
Orleans has placed the Italian Government in
an attitude before the world which is
by no means calculated TO add to
its prestige in general estimation. The
withdrawal of the Italian Minister from
Washington, the subsequent correspondence
between Mr.. Blaine and the Italian Premier in
which the latter exhibited both ignorance and
impertinence the Indifference of the Ameri-
can people to the threatened aggressions of
the Italian people-all this has quite naturally
reflected only discredit upon those who are
administering the affairs of the Italian King
dom, and have served only to lower them in
the opinion Of the European people at large
The recent report of the grand jury at New
Orleans which ignored the existence Of the
Italian Government altogether is the last act
in an international episode from which Italy
will for many years continue to suffer in the
point of its national glory.
The difficulties and drawbacks of the posi-
ton now occupied by Italy unfortunately for
itself is not confined to its foreign relations.
That country has not yet recovered from the
unsettled state into which it was thrown by
the deposition of the Crispi administration and
the substitution for it of the Rudini. The lat
ter stands upon o footing that is very far from
being secure, fact that is clearly recOg-
nized by the premier himself whose petu-
LIANT conduct in the New Orleans affair
was largely due to the unreasonable de-
mands Of a public sentiment in his own
country which he had to propitiate in order
to retain his position, but which he could not
control. The spirit of local agitation which
the lynching aroused has not subsidized, and 1t
may not expend itself until Rudini is removed
from power, a change which will only increase
the uneasiness now prevailing in every part
of Italy.
Moreover, the Italian Government finds it.
self in financial straits of a serious nature IN
consequence of the financial course which it
has been pursuing, but at the very time that
there is a need of an increase in taxation, the
people are clamOring for an equalization IN
the expenses and receipts of the Government;
in other words. for the strictest economy in
public expenditures in order to prevent the
proposed advance in the tax rates. This de-
mand will have to be met, but it is hard to
see in what way without crippling the Govern
ment very seriously.
In addition to these causes for disturbance,
the Socialists and Anarchists are showing an
unusual activity the recent destructive eKplo-
sion near Rome being now attributed to their
direct instrumentality. They are also seek
ing TO increase the discomfort existing among
the very large number of workingmen who
have been thrown out of employment in ev-
cry part of Italy by the falling of in business
and the collapse of many speculative enter
prises which had been begun in more settled
and prosperous times.