The Indianapolis journal., 1896-03-05
CRIsPI AND HIS MINISTER'S.
hheir Pnths Have Not Been Free from,
Stumbling BIocks

Inc italian Cabinet which has lust re-
signed went into office Dec 10. 1893. under
tne leadership OF Signor Crispi Crispi has
been called the Bismarck of Italy. and dur
ing the past few years he has shown many
characteristics which are quite comparable
10 those possessed by the old Prussian
statesman. He is now about seyenty-seven
years Old He began life as a lawyer in
Naples. early joining the Liberals and the
Reyolutonists. political classes which ne
has spent his later life in fighting with ALI
the power at his command. Garibaldis
miraculous Sicilian campaign, 1t has been
said. would never have been undertaken
except for Crispi. 1t was he who visited
Sicily In disguise, and at the risk OF his
life passed through the whole land. CARRYING
the fiery cross of insurrection and organ.z-
ing everywhere the revolt against the Bour-
bons. 1t was Crispi who found the means
to arm and send out the expedition of the
Thousand of Marsala.' and he accom-
panied that expedition as a simple soldier.
Crispi was one of the few men to whose
counsels Garibaldi would listen
For the next thirty years Crispi was q con-
spicuous member Of the advanced Liberal
party in Parliament. He became the most
skillful debater in the Chamber and the
of Depretis in 1887 made Crispi Prime Min
lister. He was rapidly transformed into a
Conservative. AT home he maintained order
with an utter indifference to the opinions
OF the Radical element. which timid men
had fancied would dictate his policy Abroad
he strengthened the bond of the triple alli-
ance. bnrdening the people with all kinds
OF military taxes. He dominated the Cham
per with MS imperfous will in a way no
statesman except Bismarck has venturei to
do. His Ministry was defeated in January
1881. the Chamber rejecting a tax measure
by vote to 1856 to 12S Signor Crispi imme-
aiatsly resigned Subsequently he announced
his intention to quit politics.
Crispi was succeeded by the Marquis di
Rrdini. who immortalized himself as a
war between Italy and this Country on the
occasion of some mob outrages at New
Orleans. In May. 1892. r. ldini wss succeeded
by. Signor Giolitti.. who proved to be in
volved in serious bank scandals. The Sic
ilians broke out in insurrection; the nation
verged upon bankruptcy and on Nov. "a.
1888, Giolitu also resigned the premiership.
There has always been much difference OF
opinion whether the serious situation was
brought about by the new Ministers. or
suit Of that policy which Crispi had inaugu-
rated. At any rate the Italian Bismarck
was called back by the King in December.
1888, to save the country and he consented
to take up the task of government again
with the support OF nonpartisan Cabinet.
President, Signor Crispi; Foreign Affairs,
Baron Blanc; Treasury. Signor Sonnino;
|, Finance, Signor Boselli; Justice, Signor di
Tavani: War, General Mocenni; Marine,
Admiral NORM: Commerce. Signor Baraz-
zuoli; Public Instruction, Signor Bacelli;
Public Works, Signor Saracco; Posts and
! Telegraphs, Signor Ferraris.
The Cabinet set to work with a firm hand
to restore order in Sicily and to quell the
Socialists and Republican agitation. The
new government naturally met with much
opposition from the Liberal benches in the
Chamber. In order to put the country on
a better financial basis. Crispi proposed to
served to increase the unrest OF the people
On June 5, 1884. when a vote was taken In
the Chamber, the Ministry secured ma
jority of only eleven. The Premier and his
colleagues chose to resign in order TO pre-
vent further demonstrations.
Crispi. however, appeared on the scene
again In few days, having been vested by
the King with powers which were almost
dictatorial- Signor Sonnino, who had been
Minister OF the Treasury, and whose finan-
had aroused so much protest, shifted places
with Boseili, who earlier had been Minister
of Finance, and business went on as before
Since this time the Chamber has had very
little to do with the government in Italy
Ii has been prorogued again and again. and
in May last IL was dissolved by the King.
though not before Crispi and his advisers
had reversed the election laws assuring
a Conservative triumph at the polls Thou
sands OF men who had previously enjoyed it
were excluded from the franchise and on
May 26 the vote was taken throughout the
country, Crispi securing safe majority
1t is easier to rule without the people than
with them. The Chamber is not often in
session and the Prime Minister has been
conducting the government as suited his
own pleasure and the pleasure OF the King
This disastrous war in AbyssinIa was un-
dertaken against the protests OF the Liber-
ais and the Socialists and The nation is
now. indeed. In the midst OF a very serious
political Crisis.