The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-17
Crispi Returns to Power in Italy.

After tho failure of several Italian states
men representing various shades OF opinion
to form a Cabinet. King HUMBERr !. has
fallen back upon Signor CRIsPI. to whom
ID has been generally believed he would
have recourse only in the last extremity.
We shall soon see whether the new Prime
Minister can command the confidence OF
the Chamber Of Deputies. Should he be
defeated, dissolution OF the Parliament
cannot be avoided. unless there be some
foundation for tho rumor that. rather than
order a new general election at this time.
tho King may venture on what would be
practically coup fetat. by authorizing
Signor CRIsPI to follow tho example set by
BISMARCK In 1869 60. and govern In defiance
Of the peoples representatives.
We may take for granted that the mem
bers Of the Advanced Left will oppose Slgnor
CRIsPI with the same violence as that by
which they drove Signor GIoLITTI out OF
ONCE. The new Prime Minister figured
among those censured by the committee OF
investigation for emitting to take proceed
ings against the persons implicated In the
banking frauds. after the crimes OF the lat
ter had been made known to them. That Is
raigned as an accessory after the fact. We
suppose that there Is no other civilized
country In the world where q politician un-
der such cloud would be invited to form a
Government. 1t Is scarcely possible that
such q man should exercise any moral as
cendancy. and. II q majority OF the Depu-
ties make up their minds to support him,
IL will doubtless be because they are reluc-
tant to see their seats imperilled by an ap-
peal TO the constituencies. To the Advanced
Left. his policy will be as unwelcome as his
personality. His programme. indeed. has
not yet been published. but the main fea-
lures OF it may DO Inferred from his we'll
known views and from tho composition OF
his Cabinet. Two Of his colleagues. for in
stance. Signor SoNNINo and Signor SARAC-
co. reflect the opinions OF the Centre. and
have hitherto proclaimed themselves adj
verse TO any curtailment Of the expenditure
on the army. advocating instead an in
crease OF taxation. On this point they must
have made a slight concession. II 1t be true,
according TO a report telegraphed from
Rome. that the military budget is to be cut
down by s.. 100000. Such a reduction will
not go far to meet the existing deficit. and
WIN Iuo uo-
mand OF the Advanced Left. which insists
that an economy Of at least 10000. 900
ought at once 10 be effected.
So far as Berlin and Vienna are concerned,
the return OF Signor CRIsPI TO power will
naturally give much satisfaction. Next to
King HUMBERT !. there is no man in Italy
who is so thoroughly committed TO the
Triple Alliance. A Cabinet. OF which he Is
the head. would have exceptional oppor-
tunities for obtaining from German and
Austrian bankers the loans which shortly
will be Indispensable. Yet. OF course. II is
not the favor OF foreign powers, but the
good will OF the Italian Chamber OF Depu-
ties. which Signor CRIsPI will need il he Is
70 govern without a coup detat. The Italian
people are growing very tired Of the burdens
imposed upon them by the Triple Alliance.
and careful observers Of the drift OF popular
feeling predict that il a general election
should turn on proposed reduction OF the
military establishment by two army corps.
large majority would pronounce In favor
OF the proposal. 1t is the knowledge. or the
firm belief that they have public opinion
behind them. which gives the Advanced
Left In the present Chamber degree u
self-eOnfldencs aud Influence out Of all pre-
portion 70 their numbers.
II Is probable enough that. when SlSnnr
CBgsPI Iaeets the Chamber OF Monday, 10