The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-06
ARMY-CURSED ITALY.
The People Nearly Ready to Sack the
Vatican and Quirfnal.


Rome Letter In Philadelphia Times.
Maybe the Savoy dynasty will continue
for another year between the sobs of the
starving and the hoarse cry OF the ex-
tremists-its ultimate doom Is as newt
able as was that OF Louis the Saints
successors after centuries of systematized
self-aggrandizement and financial embar-
easements. And when the cloak has fall
len and after 1t the sovereign--in this
case Crispi and Umberto--what then? A
republic, with the pope's blessing, or an
archys The spirit Is for the first. but
the flesh is weak and in Italy ever ready
to group itself around the meat pots OF
ones betters. Archibald Forbes recently
expressed the conviction that In case of
popular uprising in Rome the Vatican
was sure to be sacked first. Maybe he Is
right. The pope's residence promises a
far bigger haul than the Quirinal. but a
nation cannot live on freebooting forever.
There viii be reign of terrors short
season OF reckoning, perhaps q skirmish
with Germany. IL she should endeavor to
interfere In favor of the monarchy, or
with Austria, for the possession of Tri-
este, but the logical termination viii be
republic and an alliance with France.
And then the church. always a sure win
ncr. because 1t knows enough to bIde
the proper time, will loom up triumph
antly In way-frst. perhaps. In small
way-piacing the gloved hand on the pop
uiar pulse, but. with the moral support
OF France, Its grip will tighten until the
Latin union becomes Roman federation,
with the holy see as arbitsr.
One need not be a reactionary to agree
with the only respectable and uncom-
promised party in Italy, the new conser-
natives. Haunting the republican banner
over platform that demands abdicatIon
or the house OF Savoy, abolition OF the
anti-Christian system of education. dIstri-
bntion OF taxes upon rich and poor alike,
which will not exhaust public and pri-
vate prosperity, greater freedom OF mu-
nicipal life, simplification of bureaucratic
methods and a cessation of hostilities
against the church.
The present government itself recog-
nizes the urgent necessity of a change
or front In some respects. 1t has come
10 the conclusion, for instance. that an
army pivoting on the monarchicaI idea
alone. without Christian belief to counter
balance Its dogmas, Is a dangerous play.
thing. that atheistic schools pronayat re-
anarchy. and that without centraIiza
ton IL viii be impossible to continue the
government machine running for any
length of time. But all these good inten-
lions go TO waste In the face of parlia-
mentary opposition. The palace of Monte
Citorio, meeting house OF the Italian
chamber, Seems to have reverted To IT'S
oid-ttme destinction-poiice Headquarters
and criminal museum. It's walls echo ac-
ecsauons ana denunciations: intrigue.
corruption. treason stalk through the
proud halls and claim even the minis
teriaI ear. When twenty years acc Itaiv
staggered under an annual deficit OF 10
Ua.WU, she was far stronger finanrfaIlv
than today. though the differences he.
tween income and expenditure has been
reduced by two-thirds or more. In theaa
times ner parliament was composed OF
a. n
ward building up the country. na-faeu,ar.
ism and esotism played no parts In n,,h-
lc life. And today2 Parties and coferias
everywhere preaching social and political
disorder, naisusing their mandate TO lew
niackmah 10 financial institutions or
aoating worthless securities. inpeaching
the government, intriguing against thoss
In power in the hope OF gaining the nIaces
vacated as the result OF perjury and NAL
fsasanee. Rurnor has IL that I'm addition
a Wen paid party Ia plotting against the
foreign policy OF the state. French
chauvtnlsts furnishing the funds.
And the worst Of II all. the government.
itself with It's countless shortcomings.
It's undoubted biunders, It's rabta. m atertaI.
ism. supplies ammunition In plenty 10 ,ha
country's enemies The iiI-feeiing, the
feeling OF insecurity, has become nrr-
manenf feature OF our political life ara
perFades all classes with dishearsening
results IN palace and beyond the CITY
gates IL Is always the same story of dis
trust. founded on more or less ,anysh,.
facts or suspicious. Nobody win derv
InDeFto's personal courage and rare
ngnttng qualities. Inherited and acquired
Wnen therefore his majesty leaves fha
ship. as his action OF aeposasing the ~ :
e1.eo OF available property he owns with
the London Rothsehiids seems to mai.
cate. IL may be taken for granted that
aGt ffatx 81
OF resistance are exhausted That he has
taken this precaution cannot be denied
tre transfer was effected several months
ago. ana ever since the attitude OF the
popalace toward their maJesties has t..-
come more sulisn and outspokanly rude.
lmoerse looks haggard and wretched
ana the queen Is but shadow OF her
sssi Poor, Idxury-loving Margherita, sac
VIII regain the energies and Joyful sensi-
Hents Of her youth when the Alps sepa-
rate Ter from the yicissisuess Of king
snip.