New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-13
ITALY'S WAY OUT.
WHY NOT SELL HER ART TREASURES
AND THUS REPLENISH HER
TREASURY?

eral is the sympathy throughout the world with
Italy in these days Of her adversely that some
other nations might and many individuals
would. lend her helping hand in manner
that would be quite apart from an attitude OIL
charity. 1t rests with her own Government 10
say whether this opportunity shall be given 10
the general world. 1t seems incredible that
Signor Crispi. experienced statesman ana
so loval a patriot has not essayed a surer, safer
and promptor method of averting calamity :han
by increasing the already excessive taxes; more
particularly when this method Is the simplest.
would provoke the least general opposition, Is
the most expeditions and effective in its opera
tion and should be the first to suggest itself in
the premises. When an individual sees bank
ruptcy staring him in the face. he converts his
available property into cash. Why should not
a nation adopt the same line Of conduct? Why
should not Italy take stock of her possessions
of commercial value and offer them for sale?
She owns an enormous amount of such property
in the shape Of personally, the value Of which
is immeasurabe. Her territory is Uttered with
priceless objects OF archaeological and historic in
terest. and her museums and galleries are rich
in artistic treasures, for small proportion of
which the rest of the world would gladly pay
the 100 900 900 lire that the ad interim Minister
of Finance told the Deputies the other day is
the deficit Of the Kingdom for the current fiscal
year The whole civilized world would come
into the mart purchasers. The rich men of
the United States alone would promptly buy
at prices that would amount TO more than it is
hoped to raise by the new tax levy. Against
this proposition only two arguments will proba-
bly, be advanced. First, it will be contended
that such a sale is inhibited by the Pacca law,
which forbds the removal from the kingdom
Of any of those archaeological or art treasures
that are comprised within the meaning of the
term public monuments" Second, that the
popular voice OF the country would be raised
lin protest against the act, which would be
styled vandalism.
Congress could effectively demolish these con-
tentions; the first by abrogating the Pacca law.
and the second by persuadng the country that
sacrifice of sentiment is the duty of the patriot
when the nation is in danger and the people
are oppressed At such times national honor
and the public prosperity are the paramount
considerations for the statesman, and the rule
OF conduct for the private citizen; and in the
one as well the other that pride of country
which is ordinarily the highest civic virtue be-
comes. instead, crime. when sentiment IS al
lowed to impede the welfare Of the State
3 In moments of dire peril when a kingdom. like
Italy to-day, is touching the terrible preclpice
of ACKNOWLEDGMENT. any simple question of senti-
ment that ties the hands Of the Government is
treasOn. To recognize ii as worthy of serious
consideration, 10 palter. to falter to parey is a
cowardice that falls nothing short of crime-and
his bitterest enemies have never called Crispi a
coward. Even such a restraining sentiment
,deep-seated and ineradicabe universal and
justifabe. 1t would be none the less the duty Of
the Government. in such a crisis, to make war
against it for the public veal. But it has none
of these virtues and in proposing such a measure
as the one in question, the Government of Italy
would not probably encounter a very deter
mined opposition. least that
would be unanimous among all classes.
That the project would be met by vehe-
ment protests is inevitable. but the objection to it
would certainly be less general and vigorous than
what is bound to be evoked by the imposition
of additional taxes. The poorer classes. loving
their country not whit less than those of the
higher social grades would view the safety and
unity Of the kingdom, and the happiness Of the
masses. as worth more by far than ancient relic,
sculptured stone or painted canvas. The edu-
Gated classes. a small proportion Of the total
population. would doubtless demand the aban-
donment of measure that threatened TO despoil
Italy Of so many mementos Of its glorious his
tory But, 1t is easier task to preach
patience and liberation to one of education
than to coax two poorer men to bear the tor
lures of hunger the labors Of the Government in
exploiting and prosecuting the measure would
begin with a reasonable assurance Of success.
II practical argument be necessary to persuade
the protesters that patriotism at such time
means sacrifice. much may be said in behalf
of the project that he who most impetuously OPP
poses it will surely assent ultimately TO its
forcement. Moreover, numerous presidents may
be cited for such a policy. History shows many
cases where kings resorted to sale Of their most
.precious effects to purchase personal safety
to sustain their tottering dynasties. The Athe
mans of old gave heroicaly of their goods to buy
the ransom Of their city Imperial Rome fur
inishes many examples where private luxury was
voluntarily abandoned when a rule OF economy
became necessary for the State and Marcus
lAurelius noblest and best of the Caesars. sold
his Jewels and those OF the Empress, for the
general good when the country was in need
The crown jewels Of England were pawned by
the Queen Of Charles l in a foreign land, for
what she believed to be the sacred cause Of her
countrys honor Modern nations will afford
many similar instances, and doubtless the
record Of the gallant House Of Savoy will teach
the Italians Of to-day that the blood that flows
in the veins Of their own good king was always
OF the sort that impelled its princes to sacrifice
personal glory and possessions when the vel
fare of their people was at stake. Now will Sig
nor Crispi need TO exhaust history, or go outside
Of the Rome Of to-day. TO find several familiar
cases that point this emphatic moral: that man
Is wise who sacrifices sentiment to necessity and
who does not bring misfortune unto himself and
kin?
Every one in the Eternal City will remem-
Der that only few years since the noble house
of the Borghese. owning enormous tracts of real
estate and superb villa properties in different
parts Of the Province of Rome, fell from their
high estate with dismal crasf, because all their
lands were unremunerative in the galleries Of
their city palace and Of the Porto del Popolo
villa were art works Of total value 10 ransom