The San Francisco call., 1896-03-08
Formation of a Ministry Under
Di Rudini of Rather Doubt.
full Advantage.
CRITICISM OF NEWSPAPERS.
It Is the General Sentiment That
the War in Abyssinia Be Vigor.
ously Prosecuted.

interest in international political affairs
has been completely absorbed by the sit
uation in Italy. 1t is not alone the de-
plorable revelation of the weakness of
Italy as an ally that is feared, but that the
Dreibund may be ruptured if the Radical
element in Italy should get the upper
hand or that they should become practi-
cally in the ascendant through some
coalition which would render Italy's part
in the event of an European war no longer
reliable.
High official opinion deems even the
formation of Ministry under the Marquis
di Rudini a doubtful advantage to Ger
many. Though under his former premier
ship Italy was a steadfast member of the
Triple Alliance, since he has been out of
Office Rudini has displayed more and more
a tendency when occasion has offered to
criticize the alliance.
While he was in office, it Is now recalled,
he always treated the Dreibund as some
thing to be endured, and it is generally be-
lieved that King Humbert is really the
solid rock upon which the alliance rests.
1t is an open secret that he long ago as
sured Emperor William that he would
never assent to Cabinet or accept q
Premier who had not been previously
pledged to the support of the alliance and
that it would therefore require revolution
to shatter the existing relations between
the parties to the Triple Alliance.
Although the interest of Germany dis
tinctly lies in a cessation of the Italian
policy of venture abroad, the bulk of Ger
man sentiment approves vigorous prose-
cution by Italy of her war in Abyssinia.
The Cologne Gazette voices the opinion
of the Foreign Office in the matter in a
vigorous article in which it urges the
Italians to allow no narrow considerations
based upon merely monetary troubles to
prevent the vindication of the honor of
the nation. eff" the Gazette SAYS, '.the
patriotic ideal is followed and the cries of
cowardice are silenced, then Italy may
still carry weight IN the councils of ma
tions."
The Kreuz Zeitung blames Signor Crispi
for taking on half measures in Abyssinia.
and advises the conclusion of an honorable
peace with King Menelik as quickly as pos
sible, in order that Italy may keep her
soldiers at home to defend her own coun-
try. This, the Zeitung thinks, is far more
desirable, not to say necessary, than the
enlargement of an African colony of
doubtful value at the cost of blood and
money greatly in excess of the advantages
to be derived.
The Zeitung also deplores the financial
and military weakness of Italy. There is
no confidence in the existing constitution
of the country, and if this feeling is main
| tanned the nation may be on the eve of
revolution involving the overthrow of the
| monarchy. A strong hand alone, the
paper says, can preserve Italy from ruin.
Count Goluchowski, Austrian Minister of
Foreign Affairs, is due in Berlin on Mon
day, when he will have conference with
Prince Won Hohenlohe, the Imperial
Chancellor. An official communication
from Vienna says that the only purpose of
his visit is to return the visit to Vienna
made by Prince Hohenlohe last December,
but it is believed here that the object of
his coming is to consult with the German
Chancellor as to the position of Dreibund.
The Vienna Fremdenblatt intimates
that the coming interview between Count
| Goluchowski and Prince Hohenlohe has
immediate connection with the recent
events in Italy, and adds that long prior
to the disaster of the Italian army at
Adowa. Count Goluchowski advised Pre-
mier Crispl to conclude peace with King
Menelik.
The Austrian embassy here will give a
dinner to Count Goluchowski on Tuesday,
at which the Emperor and Empress and
most of the EN- bassadors will be present.
Prince Hohenlohe will entertain him at
banquet on Thursday, and he will leave
for Vienna on March IA. The length of
the Austrian Foreign Minister'S stay in
Berlin indicates that his visit is not one of
mere ceremony.
The Bundesrath has given it's assent to a
petition presented by the city of Stettin
asking that part of the municipal territory
known as Molln Meadows become free
port with the enjoyment of most of the
privileges possessed by free ports, such as
Hamburg. The authorities and residents
of Stettin Justly hold that the concession
is one of the greatest Importance to the
future development and prosperity of the
city as great seaport.
Mrs. Runyon, widow of the late United
States Embassador to Germany, and her
daughters were the guests Of the Empress
at luncheon on Tuesday.
Governor Griggs of New Jersey has sent
through the State Department at Wash
ington letter of thanks to the American
colony in Berlin for the resolutions passed
at meeting of the colony expressing
sorrow and sympathy at the death of the
late Hon. Theodore Runyon.
Mrs. F. G. Zimmerman, wife of the
United States Vice-Consul, and Deputy
Consul-General Zimmerman gave dance
and supper at her residence on Thursday
to hundred guests. Among the other
social events of the week were an "at
home" given by Mrs. Cleves Symmes and
parties by Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Hunt of
Washington.