The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-30
THE FERMENT IN SICILY.
a DENOMINATION AGAINST THE xD-
MIyISTRA7ION or The OCTROL

Peasants Compisis that the Land Owners
Place the Heaviest Burdsss OF Taxa
zion on the shouidern OF the Poor
Premier Crisprs Task or rnciaesuou.
ROME, Dec. 90 Two large petards we're ex :
rlodod this evening Just outside the barracks
in Catania Sicily Little damage to property
and none at all to persons was done.
The municipal authorities OF Bsiestrate a
town Of .. 500 inhabitants about twenty miles
from Palermo. have resigned to escape the
popular agitation against them.
In several Sicilian communes the chief on
cials have abolished the -four octroi in the
hone Of stlinR the other demands Of the peo-
pie. The anti-taX movement appeared to-day
in several districts hitherto quiet. Most OF
these districts are in the provinces OF Palermo
and TrapanL
The opposition newspapers declare that Italy
IL on the brink OF an agrarian revolution that
will have its origin In the movement Of the
scilan peasants, which already has resulted
In violent disturbances and loss OF life in Sicily.
The papers add that the popular discomfort Is
not peculiar to Sicily. but is shared every
where. from Calabria to Piedmont.
In tracing the origin Of the Sicilian ferment
those interested In the subject might go back
a. far as the Garibaldi revolt in 1890. Sicily
expected much from the unincation OF the
Italian Stntes. but the island has obtained
little. The people remain devoted Catholics.
but socialism In its crudest form exists in the
popuious ccntres-Pnlcrmo. Messina. Trapani,
and CAtania. 1t Is an absolute truth that n
majority Of the Sicilians would welcome the
restoration Of the kingdom OF the Two Sicilies.
with the old order OF things. rather than con-
tinuo under tho strain OF the increased taxa
ton that Is associated with tho kingdom OF
Italy.
So far the unrest In Sicily has been devoid
OF marked political tendencies as lie shown by
the testimonial Of confidence sent yesterday
by group OF Sicilian labor agitntors to Premier
CrisDL IL Is not demonstration against the
central Government hut against the admins
trntion of the octroL The collection OF the
local taxes in question has been and is en-
forced uniustly in most cases 10y tho municipal
authorities. The peasants also com plain truly
that the great titled landlords are placing all
the heaviest burdens of local government mt upon
the shoulders % the poor.
The people ut large do not understand the
theories OF socialism. Among the peasants
the works OF modern writers on socialism IRE
unknown although among the city working
men the socialist agitators have found many
disciples Tho majority of the lower classes
In Sicily feel. however. that they have been
plucked sufficiently by the corrupt municipal
OIllClhlb, WHO, ullCT Irylnp 70 eNUCI from the
taxpayers more than the law allows. squander
the public funds The Socialist leaders have
taken advantage OF the present unrest to
preach the doctrines Of discomfort, and they
are penetrating to districts which they had be-
fore neglected. Although they did not create
the discomfort, they are eager to aggiavnte II.
authorities they, have risen against local
taxes. and have resisted or attacked tn.
agents employed to levy them. For Premier
Crispi the task OF paciilcation is not so dlf-
cult rs It would be Tor most other Italian
statesmen. lie is n native of sicily and UNI
per Of the people. Ills Circular to SiciIiSn pre-
fects, advising greater care in observing and
:controllinE the incidence Of taxes. esIecially
many communities which otherwise would be
who have INDUCED themselves in unlawful
luxuries and grants IN tho belief that the CEN
sion OF the common people. show now that they
realize that the abuses OF their administra-
1t Is generally admitted that In issuing his
ftrcnlnr Crispi Put his hnger on the sore spot.
He Will go to Palermo next week to study more
movement. He will 10 welcom ed 10y the worS-
ine men of the city. who are organizing great
meeting and procession under the supervision
Of the local trades unions. He is expected to
Explain in his speech. the present situation. as
those near him say, that tho OK istlng disorders
are local and calculated to lead 20 needed re-
also show thnt Sicilian unrest is not q prelude
TO an uprising OF the masses throughout
Italy. but Is movement to be duieted By spc-
cial local measures, having no hearing upon
communities outside of the island.
Many foreign newspapers. and not q few
Italian journals. publish sensational stories
about the Easel del LaSoratogi aud other NJ
ell ian secret societies of large, mon bership
who are represented to be making riots and
excite only ridlcuie and Indignation hera. The
net truth, as far as it Is ascertainRble from
those best acquainted with Sicilian conditions
10 that the people. already miserable on ac-
count OF agricultural and Industrial deprss-
sion. have been unable to meet the arrears
and the increase OF taxes, and. goaded
by the habitual cruelty and frequent dishon-
esty of the local authorities have risen spon-
against those depressing them.
That the movement has no further signi- |
ficance Is shown by the fact that no man has |
yet been able to force himself upon the rioters |
a. n So called popular leader There is a little |
apprehension that some Socialist agitator |
may yot raise himself to the leadership but |
so far none has been able TO gain any chance |
Of success. |