Evening journal., 1897-04-10
Italv,s Defiant lsolicv.

Rome, April l0.-The chamber OF dep
utlcs was crowded on the resumption OF
the debate raised by the Interpolation
OK Signor lmbriani. the Socialist leader
in the chamber. The Marquis Visconti
Ncnosta, foreign minister, amid the
most profound attention from all parts
Of the house. replied for the government,
which had been charged by Signor I'M
briaui with being guilty Of the "odious
policy Os leading free Italy to commit
uncomfortable acts of violence against
Greece ana TO trsmple upon the law OF
nations" After reviewing from its in
ception the whole history OF the Cretan
,r,sis the foreign minister said:
Prom the outset among the various
proposals having the common aim Of
pacihcation in Crete Italy has always
supported the application Of effectual
reforms. Unhappily, me work of reform
. has been interrupted by insurrection
/, caused by the regeneration of the porte
1t is Italys interest that there should
not be a general war. Italy could not
ignore affairs in the east as connected
with the balance Of power in the Med
iterranean.
The government favors. therefore,
a progressive change to the advantage
cape from the Turkish yoke by obtain
ing national autonomy. But this. prin-
ciple must of necessity be reconciled
with the exigencies Of peace and with
European equilibrium. 1t does not suit
Italy thattthe eastern question, instead
OF taking the form of gradual trans-
formation To the benefit Of renascent
nations, should assume the form of a
partition between the military and the
maritime powers. Admiral Canevaro
has worthily represented the loyalty
and the support given by Italy TO the
concert Italy has remained faithful to
the concert and has co-operated in all
efforts to promote the settlement de-
sired and in every proposal calculat ID
70 render the position Of Greece easier.
If only Greece had lent an ear to the
counsels of moderation, no humiliation
would have been involved for her In de-
ferring to the wishes of Europe II
Greece had deferred. she would have
attained her Object-namely, the liberia
tion of the Cretans.
Nevertheless if war cannot be avoid
ed, If Greece means to embark in a
blind adventure, il will be seen that
the conduct of the powers is inspired
by a spirit of prudence. The presel,
crisis should be surmOunted and the
desired reforms secured without in
friuging upon the status quo or the
balance of power. In this way Italian
policy win be attained. AS responsible
minister 1 could not subscribe to IN,
eloquent manifestations Of sympathy
with Greece and the Cretans and theii
cause heard in this chamber becaus,
no government dare assume the re-
sponsibllity Of isolated action in tn,
eastern question"
Defending the action of Italy in Crets
the foreign minister recalled to tn,
chamber the fact that the country ono,
before had sacrificed the national feel
ings by stopping General Garibaldi
Sig,ior Imbriani here interrupted witt
a violent and only partly intelligibl,
protest. He was called to order. but O,
he persisted in speaking the sitting O.
the chamber was suspended amid grea
uproar.
When 1t was resumed Senor Imbri
ami apOlogized and made formal sub
mission to the authority of the presl
dent of the chamber. The MARQUIS Wis
cont Nenosta concluded amid cheers
from the Right and Center and ami,
protests from the Radicals, particular,
from Signor Fratti, who was called &
order.