The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-06


still confined 10 the barracks.
The utmost efforts OF the police ana
soldiers 20 disperse the mob which had
held possession all day OF the Piazza %
ionna in front OF the chamber OF deputies
proved futile. aud cries OF derision and dis
approval OF the government, OF Premier
Crispi and of the commanders In Africa
are still being pertinaciously kept up py
the parading crowds.
The Triple Alliance.
A Paris dispatch states that the fate OF
the triple alliance, according to Figaro,
will be decided at the first sitting OF the
Italian parliament. Whatever the issue
may be, the paper adds it need not trou-
Bile France. We need only 10 look on.
The Matin says France will be glad to
see Italy tnrn toward her. She will be re-
ceived with open arms.
The other French newspapers express
eympathy with the Italians and denounco
Premier Crlspi, at the same time express
ing the opinion that the Italian monarchy
Is endangered.
Italy has several times threatened to
withdraw from the triple alliance, and
now she may be forced out by u decision
OF her own parliament, or at the request
OF the other memhers-Germany and Aus
tria Itis an open question as TO whether
the alliance Is OF any benefit 10 her now.
whatoyer IL may have been In years past.
Under It's terms she has been compelled TO
keep up n costly military and naval cstab-
lishment, which have drawn harder on
her than on any Of the other powers.
In March. 1888, the Italian minister Of
war announced in parliament the ex-
tstenco OF triple alliance between Italy,
Germany and Austria. The compact was
made in the interests of European peace
and the maintaining of the status quo.
One OF the main points OF the agreement
was that each Of the powers &lmed should
not only refrain from hostile action, but
avoid causes which would be likely 10
awaken dstrust.
1t has often been said that the with
drawal OF Italy and the formation of q
new triple alliance would probably be a
signal for Immediate war, though equi-
nbrlum would not exist. This is not so.
The aggrcssors would wait TO allow the
weakening elements OF tho enemy TO work
their way, recognizing their own strength
ening unity OF parpose. Italy could be
offered Inducements by the dual alliance
(f'rance aud Rusaia) that would outweigh
the advantages OF spectatorship and neu-
trality.
The dual alliance would require but n
light burden, and would offer rich rewards.
In the partition Of Germany and Austria
Hungary that would follow victory, she
would be promised vast tracts around the
Adrlatic which, in the hands OF an old
enemy, have long been looked on with
coyetous eyes, and France, with vast,
gratifying accessions on 'the east, might
offer the old provin.cs of Nizza and Savoy,
and might, perhaps, allow her TO take
Tunis and Tripoli, in event OF her getting
Egypt.
Fearing to dlsplease the powers, that
might, without her even, be victorious, she
would probably pass from isolation TO ALI.
-ancc.- Europe would then see the six ua-
tions in the two great natural triple alli-
ances: France, Russia and Italy for ag-
gresslon; Germany, Austria Hungary and
Great Britain for defense. These six great
nations have u population OF about 32i,-
000,o00, of which about $4,000 600 are capa-
BILE Of bearing arms, possessing over 2,000.-
000 tons OF war vessels afloat.
III Italy remained neutral, France and
Russia would offer for invasion, at the
present moment, in round figures, 1,500,-
600 men on the peace footing and 1000, 900
on the war footing, against an opposing
force Of 100000 men on the peace footing
and 5,000iO0o on the war footing. This
heavy superiority will be greater in 1897,
for the aggressors have n population OF
1876, 100000 In entire accord to draw from,
while Germany and Austria Hungary
have but 81 100000.
Thirteen Towns Reported Destroyed.
HABANA, March 6--The reopening of
Geographic communication with the re.
gion of Pinar del Rio brings the first do
tailed Information of affairs in that PROV
ince for several weeks. The rich Vuelto
Abajo tobacco district seems to have been
put TO the torch, and is apparently re-
duced to wilderness. Thirteen towns
have been obiternted or reduced to ashes,
and their inhabitants aro wandering help
less over the country. The last town
4, IL 4. a. q