New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-03
A COMMISSION FOR CRISPI.
INQUIRY TO BE MADE INTO THE ITALIAN
BANK SCANDALS.
THE Ex-PREMIER MAKES A SPEECH

CREATES 4 SCENE IN THE CHAMBER OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AGAINST HIM
Rome. Dec 2-To-day tn" Chamber Of Deputies
apDonted a commission OF FIVE TO inquire into the
charges against Signor Francesca Crspi former
Premier in connection with the Bank OF Naples
scandals and III" alleged Illegal traffic in decora-
tons
The proceedings are the result OF the recent de-
cison OF the Italian Court OF Cessation which
ouashed the judicial Indictment brought against
Sgnor Crispi the ground that the ordinary tr-
bunals of justice were not competent TO deal with
such charges brought against former member OF
the Government his conduct while IN the Gov
eminent The Court Of Cessation held that such
charges must be deal; with by Parliament which
was the contention OF Sgnor Crspi. and the ju-
dic.al proceedings were thrown out.
The special commission appointed after an
impressive speech by Signor Crsp IN which he de-
/ clared that he desired the ample and COM
plele discussion OF the whole question. and did not
dread the light. which. he said could reveal moth
ing against him. Il am the victim OF calumny.
he asserted. land should have brought sui! against
my calumniaiors II the matter had not been re-
ferred to the Chamber"
Sgnor Crispi recalled his past labors on behalf
OF Italy and he admitted that there had been times
when he had erred lie claimed however, from his
: conquerors unbiased judgment. and asserted
that he was prepared TO testify before the COM
mission and omit nothing. so that the matter
4
cally but II Will be very hard at seventy-eight,
after deyo,ing sxty-three years TO the service Of
my country"
This passage Of the speech provoked violent IN
terruption and the President OF the Chamber for
mally cautioned two Socialist Deputies who were
particularly vrulent.
Signor Crispi. after order restored said; Il
remain calm even in the face OF my adversar!es
invectves. have serene conscience aho snhi'
die. when my times comes. with the name OF i'ais
upon my lips But ask TO be allowed TO pass my
last days quietly II l;aiy needs me- shall always
be ready 10 serve her but 90 not nave an" never
have had ambition for power
At the conclusion OF his speech a number OF
the Deputies gathered about him to congratulate
him and TO shake his hand.
s,gno- crispi. the mos; brilliant italian states
man since the days oil Cavour Is called upon 10
face in his extreme old age. not accusations oil
political crimes. but ordinary felonies. lie has al
randy be,u subjected the humiliation OF maels-
I ter,al examination In connection with charges oil
completely in the gigant' frauds that "recken inc
I Bank OF Naples the Bank OF Rome, the Bank OF
SICILY and other kind-et institutions. The Crispi
| Cabinet was driven from office as the result OF
these scandals. In each case the insolvency o. 'le
bank appeared TO have been brought ABOUT throus "
! the Matchmaking extortions to which II was sub
iected By leading politicians and GoVerhihen' OF
ncias o. the day. Mos. Of this dishonesty LOON
place during the administration OF INSp' >o'
even hi, most relentless enemy mas ever H'cuse"
him VI plunuering the banks TO add 10 hS p'''a'
r.sources ON The contrary. his countrymen ioT the
most part accepted his assertion tnAt the money
e>iorieu from these institutions was used o! MN
TO-, tue secret service fund OF the Government anu
| III vlc, GOA. sN,.hultuie ,,,,., .,,ho,,,,,s
LoI ,uiAtc,! iVf nm. the Judicla autiio' 80, 80 =.
who inquired INTO the CIRCUMSTANCES tHdt ~" ~ w.
| INC liur- OF the panhs DISCOVERED ina a'io'e
tho most vol3DiOus OF the piuhu'leis '" n Il,
| "., ne y,.,.an staiesman's wife. II was - 10
nj the time thai T. ON one BANK alone some lils
IuU ", flames taUout ,1,vs,ou, found its way nv
her urysie .anh.ng account. ana II was urscu' aio
is still urleu. mat S.snor IIispi fot oens 'o"
80 mus nave known OF his wife = deIidnds' a.
! IN a., nj n.i way could he have accounted LOT VIC
ircc SIMS Of NOR she expended upon her estab-
| li,Hment whAe he was n power Ao,o-. ~.
| conr,s - friend OF Signor Crspi undertook 10 eA,
! main The transactions which LED up 10 ths coapse
Of The Bank Of Naples According 10 ,'s IN SO
asknT IN. Bank OF Naples for a loan OF 1000 We
for election expenses. the money 70 pr iephu w ~
bank from the 'ecTet sere ''" Nth only nile
r,ore Than half o, the lean rspa'a vi. M s,n
ic,tY gave lc00oo lire toward the remanacr .. .ns
! }ndeh,edne.s Baron Blanc furnishing T Tn "hs
necessary to make uc sne 'S Crsr repaid the ba nix
T.. mi when the accusations recently BEFORE IN,
courts and how before the special ,S w,, ~
ne n'', rosecu,Ion Senor Crispi hastened from
| Eanlcs 20 Rome, demanded an aud'ence WIN ~. ~,
King showed him ths recent f 81 We,ss,v ~, an
pa i 80 -.5o; Cr'.o, characterized as me campaign
OF ,njustce The eI-P,cr'rr acccrn,ne v. T.
INA ~ no would defend himself 10 tnc a-t aoa.
go '.rn such case sire. two persons WI, 90 IT,
nyjiaT as poor man, ana you VIII" 'o''
nv. eo.,s., press interrre'ed ti' .ndac'oIs AN
| cuoro n he q threat NJ dsclosur. M ~ ~.
nho,. amount ~ his large deroeits IN inc pH"" VI
| Tanl.s Just before the crash came