The record-union., 1893-08-22
ordinarily intelligent and unprejudiced
THE FRENcH-ITALIAN TROUBLE.

THE FRENCH-ITALIAN TROUBLE.
Some French and Italian laborers had a
small battle week ago in the Depart
ment of Gard: the Italians were worsted,
a couple of dozen were severely wounded,
and ten of them died in few hours.
The first battle over, and hot blood hav-
ing had taste of war, the French labor
ers proceeded to drive out all Italians and
a large number of other foreigners, and
some thirty more of the sons of Italy bit
the dust. The French did not wholly es-
cape. but their losses were comparatively
light.
Now comes Italy and demands of
France roparation for the lives of the men
sacrificed, and money damages also for
the wounded. The thought in Europe is
that France will refuse to reply salts
tactorily and that war will result. Italy
is one Of the Triple Alliance, and there
fore Austria and Germany would, if the
need came, be compelled to stand by their
SNAAO0E NCs IL 10 Sull lAdI, dS d IudlloT VI
fact, the Italian workmen were not at all
to blame; that the French assaulted them
without any other provocation than
hatred of Italy, and also, that though
she had forces in plenty at hand Franco
did not interfere to check what the Italian
people denominate a massacre.
But we must receive this charge with a
great deal of doubt. Italians are not
given to standing idly and permitting the
other fellow to do all the fighting, no
matter how strong he is. Nor when it
comes to taunt and menace do they usu-
ally remain mute. On the contrary, it is
probable that last week, as ever before,
the Italians, to the limit of their num-
bers gave as good as was sent; in other
words, that the conflict was mutual. But
If President Carnot finds that his people
were greatly to blame; that the local au-
thorities did not, when they might have
done so, interfere and protect the foreign
ers; that the assault of the French was
unprovoked and their attitude aggressive
and offensive, then France will apologize
and reparation be made. She cannot af-
ford to do otherwise if she wishes to
maintain respect for fairness. But if
on the other hand there is no reason why
she should apologize; if the affray was
mutual and the officials did all they
could do to preserve the peace, Carnot
will content himself with expressing re-
gret, and if this does not answer we are
inclined to think France will do no more.
even under threat of arms and invasion.
In Germany sympathy for the Italians
runs so deep and strong that the German
press speaks of the French in terms not
calculated to cool the blood, and the Ger
man officials appear to be countenancing
these expressions, and even to be prompt
ing them. 1t may mean war; so little
serves nowadays to fire the French and
Germans against one another that it will
not be at all surprising if out of this trou-
BILE actual warfare grows. 1t that case
France will be found far better prepared
than most people think. Her army is in
perfect condition, and scarcely second in
efficiency to that of the German Emperor.
But France could not with all her fine
land and naval forces hold her own
against the three Powers. To assume the
possibility of her doing so would be alb
surd. But she may not lack for allies.
Russia she counts upon as her friend un-
der all circumstances involving Italy and
Germany.
So that after all this cloud of trouble
may turn out to be storm of war in
volving all the great nations of Europe.
This would be bad for Europe, but it
would be profit for America. We may
not contemplate war and wish for it for
our gain, but if it is to come it is not even
unkind to reflect that we will profit some
what by our neighbours misfortune.