New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-13
CRLSPI on ITALY and FRANCE.
HIS SUBDUED AMUSEMENT OVER A EURO
PEAN CONFEDERACY

Francesca Crispi. the ex-Premler of Italy, like his
friend Prince Bismarck has devoted much OF his time
to Journalism since his retirement from the leadership
OF affairs Unlike the hermit OF FREDERICKSBURG, how
ever. Crispi fights and defends himself openly, and
attaches his TO the articles which he writes or
inspires One OF the last issues Of the Partisan
"Nouvelle Revue Internationale,7 which formerly
bore the title "Matinees Espagnoles," contains
letter addressed 10 his old revolutionary friend
NJ Desmaest. the advocate of the United States OF
Europe" In which, among other things he considers
the relations between France and Italy. Part OF
the letter. which hae been printed far and wide in
Europe, is filled with delicate irony which NJ
Desmarest did not fail To understand.
My letter OF september 49, writes tie ex
Premier from Naples, meant for YOU As
yon published it, however, you have forced
discussion upon me- which unwillIngly follow. Per-
init to say therefore that you have displeased
In our Democratic times you have done the cause OF
freedom doubtful service, and YOU have discouraged
just those people whom You would persuade to believe in
the republic. You have dssected the dispute between
Germany and France But recognize the apostolic
character of the Pope. and pass almost silence the
Car. You ask whether the Pope and the Car. the
actual allies Of France. would be sufficient to the
establishment Of the proposed United States OF Europe
spoke to you, however regarding both these matters
these political principles which involve the negatiOn
Of Democracy. l understand we'll enough how part
OF Russia would readily enter union but shoud
like to learn from You what you would do with
autocrat, half Asiatic and half European ruler.
You declare that L unable TO appreciate the
religious feelings of modern France. You
err In this connection my dear friend.
/ appreciate and understand tina. feeling well ms
You, and have reason to do You judge France
according to the speeches and writings OF the savants
You judge France from the point Of view Of Parsian
and you forget the remaining cities of the Republic and
the open country which is animated BY deep Cath
oil nj bric finp pirit We Tho
OF that the attitude of those pilgrims those pilgrims
who come TO Rome to honor Leo XIII and to his
alleged prosecutors.
Look about Paris itself Co IL you will, into st.
sulpce Church and ask there the young seminarlans
and you will be convinced that your people arc
far behind the Italian peasants. Again. have you not
often announced your Matnees Espngnoes that the
masses still adhere to the doemasi ! read IN Your
letter The Pope should be neither Prince nor Sow
ereign believe that that Is your real opinion But
official France treats him n sovereign. Last Feb
ruary Monsignor Freppel brought Pope Leo NH mes
sage from the Count Of Paris At the instance Of Carnot
Cardinal Layi0erie did the same thing on September
H. The Pretender and the President of the Republic
have both assured the Pope, I'm the same manner,
Of their support. 1t IS true That the
Pretender expressed himself condtionaly In his
letter and did not conceal his anger Mt the Republican
propaganda made by French priests with permission
OF His Holiness.
Evidently from your letter. you wish united
italy, including Rome, to be part OF the proposed
confederation In truth, however. you expressed
yourself in o. dividing the peninsula into seven
or eight small States. I shall remember that.
must remind you at the time that your honor
able friend Eardel. in his letter Of June 10, which
vou answered, amiable enough TO declare him |
self in favor OF neutrality-suspicious. form Of
government in Italy. The project Of an Italian con
federation Is not In France. 1t Is the result OF
an inherited disease OF the mind from which Napo |
ana
this mental debility rests The hope OF the Vatican
sullv first dreamed of q Federal Republic vassa |
of Rome He hoped by the proposal to induce Cardi |
nal Rcheleu 10 recall him TO the service Of the State
This idea coming from the head of Protestant !
appeared rather peculiar to our friend Michelet.
"You are wrong my friend. in thinking that the |
newspaper articles influence have often |
noticed that the French Journals on all questions Of |
foreign affairs are always OF opinion. This fact
betrays their patriotism and Is 10 their honor but IL
leads at the time. to incorrect Judgment OF |
foreign countries. Here Is an example. You ask me
to read the article in the 'Matinees Espagnoes OF
september TO- Well and good. But despite the |
authors good will and the ceverness with which he |
gives good advice to his counrymen he spoke with I'M
denable irony OF our national aspirations, and |
repeated ut my expense tile same mistakes
which | have repeatedly corrected You believe |
that because of my past and my |
Revolutionary anteceden.s l am the best person to |
undertake the establishment OF the United STATE Of
Europe Good enough II the will OF orr niah was
sufficient be assured that should devote all my pow
ers TO the realization Of idea whose victory would
forever assure the peace OF The people OF the old Con-
tincnt But let me ask you: Shall this Federal
State be monarchy, republic, bothl II 1t is TO be
either q monarchy a republic, revolution Is neces-
sary However, II TO me that Europe is hardly
ready 10 follow us In that way. The monarches would
not care TO become republics and the republics would
object TO becoming monarchies. II the third sup
position would prove true, the matter would be much
easier as the success OF efforts would depend pn-
clpally upon France.
The upion OF the three monarches. Itnly, Germany
and Austro Hungary was made TO assure the peace
NJ Furope without any demand for conquest. ms
nnion Is the first OF a European confederation
II France desire she Join the three powers Ihey
yould welcome her into the union with enthusiasm.
Other nations would doubtless follow France, and we
houd Thus have without trouble the United States OF
Europe, A voluntary disarmament OF all nations
would follow and the taxpayers would DC fortunate
in having fewer taxes
"Dy the very fact Of this great European nhion' TIE
question of the political superiority Of one state over
another would lose its significance. The question Oh
,atonalities would also I've disposed OF by the Con
federation as il would become simple matter OF III
ternal administration more. accept Us you
zee your proposal. My aid will be given Help me-
To work. Laboremus.'