Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-03
The Situation In Italy.

During the recent ministerial crisis in
Italy great deal was said about the imam
cial embarrassment Of that country, and 1t
was repeatedly charged that this en-
barrassment was due to Italy's having be-
come party TO the Triple Alliance. The
last No. of the North American ReUieto con-
tains an article from Signor CRisPI, IN
which the ex-Prime Minister conclusively
eontroverts this proposition. The Italian
armament. he shows, is a necessity which
was recognized by Italian statesmen, and
was in process of development before the
Triple Alliance was formed. 1t would
not only have reached its present pro-
portions if the combination had not been
effected. but probably have exceeded
them. Indeed, Signor CBIsPI makes 1t
clear that but for international arrange
ments the exigencies of the situation
would. as q measure OF safety TO Italy,
demand that she place herself still higher
on the scale of European armed camps.
He further demonstrates that as COM
pared with those of her neighbors the
armament OF Italy is not excessive; that
in proportion to population the military
strength of the Peninsula Kingdom is not
so great even as that Of Switzerland,
whose neutrality is guaranteed by all the
mowers, and that the Driebund entails
no extra or special expense upon the ma
ton.
But these are not ell the interesting facts
presented by Signor CgIsPI. He admits
that the finances OF his country are strain
ed. but says that since Italian unity was
consummated more critical periods than
the present have been experienced and
been overcome. and then proceeds TO adj
duce convincing evidences OF the advance
ment of the nation along numerous lines
of solid prosperity. He shows that since
1861 the railway tiackage of the kingdom
has increased from 1861 kilometers TO
IL. GOO kilometers--a kilometer being equal
TO $3.50. 9I67 English feet that the produc-
ton of cereals and of wine-the latter one OF
Italy's chief exports-has risen largely and
steadily; that the development OF mechani-
cal industries has been decided; that wages
have advanced, and that whereas ten years
ago the country did not manufacture suf-
6cient textile fabrics for domestic con-
sumption she is now beginning to export
these products. In addition to this immi-
grafton has fallen of. and there has been
a continuous accretion OF deposits in the
savings banks, thus demonstrating more
widespread contentment and greater thrift
on the part OF the people.
1t would appear, therefore, that Signor
CRIsrI is not far wrong in claiming that
the effort to place Italy IN the light of
struggling with hopeless financial difficult
ties is inspired by the adversaries of the
Triple Alliance, and is designed to throw
discredit upon a na.ion the future OF
which seems 10 be menace TO some peo-
ple.n In thirty years Italy has risen from
a condition little better than that of dis
jointed provinces to the position of first
class power, whose friendship Is worth the
seeking by other European nations. and
Sienor ORIspI does not go too far in ex-
pressing confidence in her continued pro-
eress and the ability Of his countrymen to
find way out Of the present financial dis
order--disorder which he declares Is not
by any means as serious as it has been
represented to be. and for which. from his
statement, experience would seem to point
out remedy.