The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-01
ITALY 70 Be i REPUBLIC.
Monsignior SpauIding Dis
cusses Present Situation.
CLAIMS THE MONARCHY IS DOOMED
The Oppressive Taxes Caused by the
Demands of Triple Alliance and the
Attitude Of the Pope Toward King
at Rome Factors I'm Her Destiny.

ICOppfGhted $50. bg the Associated Prcss.l
ROME, March 1.-Some weeks ago, Mgr.
Spalding, in the course of an inter-
view with Che Associated Press corr
respondent, limited he looked forward to
the early advent of the repub-
lie in Italy. The correspondent
since then had an opportunity of
gauging the opinions OF Italian statesmen
on the subject, and as a corellary to the
remarks of the Bishop of Peoria is able to
give the views ola prominent leader of the
Democratic party in this country. During
the course OF long conversation. he
said:
''Italy is passing through a formidable
crisis, the precise scope and character OF
which can only be judged by glancing
said to have been its main
spring. / should premise that she is now
expiating the traditional fatality accom-
panying the footsteps of any nation fail
ing to conquer its independence under the
banner OF democratic Institutions.
"The motif of Italian unity was re-
publican instinct at the outset. :. Its first
apostle was Mazzini, who had no concep-
tion Of the liberation of Italy apart from
a republic. Until 1859 this idea was a
democratic one, springing from the inner
consciousness Of the nation. At that
from end to end, with the sole exception
of Switzerland, and il would never
have countenanced the establishment
OF Italian unity under repub-
lican ticket. 1t was therefore
deemed necessary either to wait or modify
the direction of the impetuous current
which was evidently making for national
unity. Those who were eager for the fray
decided that movement should
be conducted under the flag
of the House OF Savoy. This
dynasty had previously resisted the yearn-
ings of the Italian patriots; but it finally
entered upon an alliance which appeared
destined TO secure TO il the sceptre of an
undivided Italian realm. The almost i'm
mediate realization of this hope
was made feasible by the agreement
between Cavour and Garibaldi. There
can no longer be the slightest doubt that
the diplomacy of the House of Savoy
assault upon the two Sicilies,
hence the indignation aroused in
the mind of Agostino Bertani, who, on a
perusal of the later revelations OF this
point, was prompted to remark that peo-
pie would finally come to the conclusion
that Italian unity was hatched in King
Victor EmanuePs stables.
France Became Italy's Foe.
"From that day forward Italy was
doomed to become the foe of France as
soon as the latter transformed herself into
republic.
events in Tunis affords the monarchical
government a long sought for opportunity
To conclude an alliance with the great
dynastic states of central Europe and this
alliance, let me add, was all the more in
keeping with the predictions of
the House of Savoy from the fact that the
women OF that house have mostly been
princesses of German birth or orignation,
not even excluding the present Queen,
whose mother, the Duchess of Genoa, was
Princess Elizabeth of Saxony.
"France, IL is true, was in arms against
Italy in 1Si7 and again in 1867, but to her
we undoubtedly owe our unity which may
be said to date back TO the French victory
at Solferino. Moreover the alliance with
Austria and Germany was repugnantt 70
the Italian conscience, Italy having of old
been cruelty oppressed by the Teuton, nor
must we forget that our material interests
were opposed to this diplomatic change of
front. Italy depended. first and foremost,
on French credit. Thanks TO French money
she was enabled 10 restore her national
finances after the war of 1866. A close
community of commercial and economic
interests constituted such bond between
the two nations as TO present
formidable obstacle to the
possible consequences OF an
alliance so imprudently entered upon; and
they therefore resolved TO denounce the
treaty which had long governed the COM
mercial relations OF France and Italy. No
greater mistake could have been commit
ed, and 10 that act the impoverishment
of Italy unquedionably dates back.
Her Awful Taxes.
'In order to keep her engagements with
the allied empires the taxes had to be in
creased until Italy, one OF the poorest ma
tions Of the continent, became one of the
most heavily Handicapped. Industry is
now taxed to the extent OF about 20
per cent Of its earnings. and the burden
on agriculture is equal 10 40 per cent. of
its gross product. All undertakings are