The sun., 1896-03-01
ABYSSINIA UNDAUNTED.
THE ITALIANS hound 10 DE
DRIYEN OCT.
land Alono Sustnins ItRiy-But tho
British Sun is Setting-Mcnciek "a Good
Ihrlstinn King md Oppnscd to Mnr.


British Sun Is setting-MencieL u Good
Christian King and Opposed to War.
ROME. Feb. 15.By It's missions. which may
be termed the movable frontiers OF tho Roman
Catholic Church, the Vatican is as we'll In
formed MS the Quirinal, If not better. in re-
gard to events In Abyssina. 1t Is n diplomatic
and international observatory of the first order.
because it is the ocean into which all tho rivers
of the world are flowing. As tho fortune
of official Italy is engaged In this adventure.
in addition to her standing and potcntiality.
both military and European, II is natural that
the Papacy should follow closely and with
keen interest the phases of this national drama.
The general order of events Is every day prog
ing the sagacity of Leo MIL, who, more positive
and more organic than Plus IN, has put aside
the policy of proestation and taken up a
realistic policy, living conception with n
historical solution.
As is we'll known, II is his desire to substi-
tuto for the centralized monarchical form of
government now existing in the nation n
publican federation modelled after that of
the United States. Hence the perseverance
Of Leo NIL. and his hopeful attitude in the
face of the Quirinal, and hence his irreducble
ntrdnsiJtanco against every project of concilia.
ton outside Of that distant ideal. And this is
because he lie convinced that the ono mathc-
natical and dynastic State stands upon heap
of errors which will enRulf tho constellation
in bankruptcy Irresistible and final.
The forcseen fruitless with Abyssinia
may become the starting point of radical
evolution and unexpected solution. Tho pres
tige of the Quirinal is on the wane. England
alone sustains the crumblng edincc. But has
she not also tunnel to pass through Has
she not witnessed in Europe united senso-
rum Of distrust, of hostility. and of hatred
against her universal empire? Tho thing that
has made tho greatest impression upon tho
minds of impartial observers is tho universally
of sympathy for the United States which was
eyinced when the recent Incident threatened
TO mako London and Washington grapple with
each other. Except the official journals of the
Consulta and of the Bablplntz. the entire Euro
pean public boldly and loudly manifested its
preferences for America. In the north and in
the south there was something like n murmur
of appreciation, n sort of silent encouragement.
from which American diplomacy cannot fail to
profit. England seems to DO Mt the turning
point Of her history. Like ancient Rome and
modern Venice she feels the empire escaping
from her hands, by the demands OF her prov
inces and the universal feeling that her sun
f. setting The day when any power will dare
to break n lance with England II will be seen
that the legs of the colossus are made OF clay.
The United States seem ready to e1lighten
the WOrlu upon tNlS point. ftcSt assured lnlJ
In Rome on both banks of the Tibcr these pho
nomena have not passed by unnoticcd. 1t is
a new period that is appearing In the history of
national preponderunces. a period in which.
according to the fears of some and tho hopes of
Others the United States will play u conspicu-
GUS and glorious part.
The Italo- African war is looked upon here, as
we'll as in all Continental Europe, as the pre-
lude of these cosmopolitan transformations.
This campaign has reach and an impor-
tancc which the newspapers have not measured.
Italy does not want to reveal the inner phases
Of the duel. and the European States, in order
not to appear like accomplices, are Obliged to
be reserved and discreet. There is the
that people SEQ on paper and the war which
they do not see. The latter Is the real one;
the other Is only n piece OF decoration. q fake.
1t Is the real war which tho Vatican is
abled to see. without making any investigation
and without any participation. by means Of
its International position and the accuracy of
its information. The realty presents hori-
zons by no means pleasant for the Quirinal.
Since the month Of February, 1895, the Nat-
can knew that Mcnelek. hostile to the Italian
army and to King Humbert, was preparing an
exemplary vengeance. By his relations with
Europe he has organized upon tho Continent
. number Of bankers and rich merchants who
have advanced him funds, either for offensive
warfare OF 70 pay back K, to IL the dynasty OF savoy
This is the reason of the absolute indcpend.
ence OF the Ncgus and of the perfect Quilt of
The Italians have attributed the direction
of this campaign to France, but the facts
proved that their suspicious and their accusi.-
tons were without any foundation. Calmly
awaiting Developments. the French nation has
trouble, and for the simple reason that Meme.
lex has no need Of the help of any European
mt tba Itnli N M ln mon
pictures of. Ho is a civilized Christian
of his chivalry and his magnanimity. Those
who have his confidence know that he wanted
erosity and Christianity. This conduct has q
%eldened aRd peculiar n reach as nnh pp"SG p"Ter
has kkPE kaFor OF Of fS 55o Il Hess SHSa
demns it as the enemy Of Christianity and Of
civilization. He is an m adorer OF the gentle
He is not a follower OF Jehovah or of Moham-
med; neither is he member OF the family or
Joseph de Mastre and Nloltke were the chiefs.
This sentiment of aversion explains all his di
plomacy When the italian journals speak OF
peace and negotiations they do not 90 down to
not want war with Italy; neither does he want
peace by diplomacy. by ,arhtration, by media
of truce came to him wit offers OF settlement
no confined himself simply to this answer: Il
do not want war with Italy. Fall back upon
the plateaus Of Massowah. and will not shed
your blood. But If You pass that frontier and
invade my Kingdom You Will ma AGAINST you
my army, which means my entire people"
The Consulta is irrevocably in .his dilemma {:
either war to the bitter end or the solitude Of
Massowah. without any outlet. Now war of
conquest would cost, Mt the very lowest figure,
flve hundred millions. and Mcnclck knows tho
military and financial condition of Italy
sufficiently well to enable him to have little
dread of an invasion. To stay forever notion
less in the unprpductivc and inhuspitabe zone
of Massowah would be for Italy II ridiculous
and absurd solution Of the problem. 1t would
mean cOonZ ion without resources.
The missionaries do not believe IN the posi-
bity Of the conquest of Ahysania. Her geo
graphical situation, her rarines and abysses.
the difficulty of obtaining provisions. the spirit
of proud Independence which animatcs the
people. their bravery on the field, the culture
and experience of the king of kings',all
point 10 an inevitable rout.
Cardinal Massaia. who cvtuGclZed this un-
conQuerabe country for thirty years, predicted
the bankruptcy of Italy, when he was consult
ed at the commencement of this enterprise.