Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-30
A CRISIS IN ITALY.
The Country Said to BE ON the Brink
of an Agrarian Revolt.

The opposition newspapers in Rome hold
that Italy is on the brink OF an agrarian
revolution that will have its origin in the
movement of the Sicilian peasants, that has
already resulted. in disturbances ana loss OF
life in Sicily. The papers add that the PC p
ular discomfort is not peculiar to Sicily, but
Is shared everywhere from Calabria to Pied
mont
In tracing the origin Of the Sicilian fer
ment, those interested In the subject might
go back as far as the Garibaldian revolt In
lS6O. Sicily expected much from the unfit
cation OF the Italian states, but the island
mas obtained little, The people remained
devoted Catholics, while socialism In its
erudest form exists in the popuious centers
Palermo, Massina. Trapani and Catania.
1t Is an absolute truth that a majority OF
the Sicilians would welcome the restoration
OF the Kingdom of the two Sicilies. with the
old order of things, rather than to continue
under the strain of the increased taxation
that is associated with the kingdom of
Italy.
Rich Shifting the Burdens Of Taxa
ton.
So far the unrest OF Italy has been devoid
OF marked political tendencies as is yhown
by the testimonial Of confidence sent by a
group of Siciiian labor agitators to Premier
Crispi. 1t Is not u demonstration against
the central government. but against the ad-
mintstration of the Octroi. The collie .tfon
OF local taxes in question has been and IL
enforced unJustiy In most cities by the mu-
nlclpal authorities. The peasants also COM
plain truly that the great titled landowners
are placing all the heaviest burdens or local
government upon the shoulders of the poor.
The people at large do not understand
the theories of socialism. Among the peas
ants the works of modern writers Of social
Ism are unknown, although among the city
workingmen the socialist agitators have
found many disciples. The majority of the
lower classes in Sicily feel, however, that
they have been plucked sufficiently by the
corrupt municipal authorities. who, after
trying to exact from the taxpayers p,ore
than the law allows, squander the public
funds. The socialist leaders have taken ad-
vantage Of the present unrest to preach
the doctrines of discomfort, and they are
penetrating the districts which they had
before neglected. Although they did not
create the discomfort, they are eager to ag-
gravate it.
Wherever the people have risen against
the authorities they have risen against local
abuses plain to all, have refused to pay the
taxes and have resisted or attacked the
agents employed to levy them.
CrispPs Task.
For Premier Crispi the task Of pacifica-
ton Is not so difficult as 1t would be for
most other Italian statesmen. He is q
native Of Sicily and understands thoroughly
the condition and temper Of the people. His
circular to Sicilian projects has caused al
ready several reforms and is exertiag q
calming influence upon many communities
which otherwise would be in open revolt.
The municipal authorities who have in
obliged themselves in unlawful luxurfes and
grants In the belief that the central author
ity would support their oppression OF the
common people, show now that they realize
the abuses of their administrations must
cease Crispi will go to Palermo next week
to study more closely the newest phases OF
the anti-tax movement.
Many foreign newspapers ana not q few
Italian journals publish sensational stories
about the Easel der Lavoratori and other
Sicilian secret societies OF large member
ship who are represented to be making
riots and incipient revolution to order.
These stories excite only ridicule snd in
dfgnatfon In Rome. The net truth, as far
as 1t Is ascertainable from the best &C.
quainted with Sicilians. Is that, alrefdy
miserable on account Of agricultural and In
dustriai depression. they have been unable
to meet the arrears and increase of taxes,
and, goaded by the habituai cruelty s.nd
frequent dishonesty Of the local authorities,
have risen spontaneously against those cp-
pressing them. That the movement has not
further strength is shown by the fact that
upon the rioters as q so-caIled popular
leader. There Is little apprehension that
some socialist agitator may yet raise him.
self to the leadership Of the whole ngita-
ton, but up to now none has been able to
gain any success.