The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-25
Is Revolution Imminent in Italy2

Is Revolution Imminent in Italy9
1t would not be easy to exaggeratc the
political Importance OF the scene which
took place on Thursday in the Italian
Chamber Of Deputies, when the report OF
the Commission on the bank scandals was
read. The conclusions reached by the Com
mission and the tremendous excitement
which they provoked will not only cause an
immediate Ministerial crisis. but may lead
to an uprising Of Italian Republicans. to an
overthrow Of the house Of Savoy, to ma
terial change In the relations OF the Vatican
to the civil power. and, indirectly. TO a dis
solution OF the Triple Alliance.
The Commission charges a number OF
Ministers and ex-Miuisters with distinct
completely in the frauds committed on the
Banca Romano and other banking in5titu-
tons, and arralgns as accessories after the
fact the present Prime Minister GIoLrTT1
and the ex-Prime Minister CRIsPI. together
with ex-Ministers Of Agriculture and FL
nance. That Signor ZANARDELL1 is also
suspected OF collision is plain from the re-
fusal Of the Chamber to accept his proposal
that the report should not be read until 1t
had been printed and copies Of 1t had been
distributed to the Deputies. Unluckily for
the reception Of this specious suggestion.
the conduct Of Ministers since the outbreak
Of the bank scandals afforded no guar
antee that the report would not be tam
pered with before printing, and that. after
printing. the original might not disap-
pear. The result was that the seal Of
the document was broken and Its grave
accusations were set forth to the confusion
OF the Ministry and the utter demoraliza-
ton OF its supporters. The assembly broke
up in tumult, and the subsequent demon
STATIONS on the part Of the crowds in the
streets showed public opinion to be over
whelmingly on the side Of the extreme
Radicals. who had forced the inquiry. and
who, In view Of Its results. are now masters
Of the situation. Among the followers OF
the incriminated Ministers there Is no ma
terial available for the formation OF
durable Cabinet. The few men OF weight
and experience in the Ministerial ranks
who are not as yet directly accused are
smirched by their associations and by the
eagerness which they have shown to stifle.
or at least postpone, the exposure Of the
frauds now brought to light.
should intrust to the untainted minority Of
the Chamber the task OF composing a new
Cabinet. But this he will scarcely dare to
do. because the extreme Radicals are known
to be Republicans at heart. and canno. be
relied upon to cut short the lines Of inves-
tigation which. as Slgnor TANLoNGo. the de-
manager Of the Banca Romano,
has asserted. would bring homo q guilty
OF the frauds to members of
the royal family. At this juncture. there
fore. the italian sovereign is between the
devil and the deep sea. He must either
place the whole machinery Of government
In the hands Of his avowed or secret enc
mies. or. by refusing to do this he must ex-
pose himself to the perils OF revolution,
In one way or another the extreme Radicals
are destined to come into power In Italy,
for they have at last the people behind them,
while the men on whom the monarchy
has leaned have irreparably lost tho
public confidence. Now. the extreme
by virtue OF their Republican
proclivities, feel and express a SYM
pathy for France. and. although they were
once the most violent assaiants OF the
Vatican. they have come to regard 1t with
Eindlier eyes. since LEO XIII. has I'M
lent support to the French re-
public. The interests Of the Vatican are |
clearly irreconcilable with those OF the |
Savoyard dynasty. but they might be ad- |
listed to those Of an Italian federal COM |
nonwealth. There Is not q doubt that an |
'ffort to substitute republic for the |
present monarchy in Italy would be quietly.
Tut powerfully. seconded by the head Of |
he Catholic Church. Such an attitude on
he part OF the Papacy would go far to safe
Iuard Republicans from foreign interposi-
ion. There Is little danger that, in the
ace OF earnest protests from the Pope, a
)atholic power like AUST ! would interfere
% uphold the house OF savoy: and the Ger
nan Government could do SO only at the
tsk OF losing control OF the Reichstag,
through the bitter opposition OF the Ger
nan Catholics. Besides. were the German
Aaiser to despatch portion Of his army
outh OF the Alps. In order TO uphold his
n.y. HUMBERr l.. against internal convul-
ions. ne would plainly give to France and
russia the opportunity for which they are
low waiting.
lfit be true that HUMBERT |. has tried To
HELD members OF his family from punish
aent for completely in banking frauds, and
as studiOusly endeayored TO block the ex-
osure OF public wrong. he has shown
imself unfit to rule. and the sooner hs "a
opposed, the better for the Italian people.
he sympathies OF upright and intelligent
Knockers at this crisis are with the Italian
'adicals. who. as We have said. are. at
cart. Republicans. and desire TO model their
ational institutions on those Of France or
the United States.