New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-27
TILE ITALI4N ELECTIONS.

The MARQUIS di Rudn has won the day. He
has secured an overwhelming majority in the
new Chamber of Deputies OF the sos members
of that body at least 800 and probably $50, will
rank as Ministerialists. while the Constitutional
Opposition will number less than 100 and the
remainder will be divided between Radicals and
Socialists Party lines in Italy are so loosely
drawn that the Ministerial majority can scarce
" be reckoned homogeneous or particularly
stable Yet it Is so large that 1t can stand some
dislntegratlon and remain n majority. II may
therefore be assumed that the Marquis d Ru-
DIM has secured another lease OF power. That
is noteworthy fact in itself. for the rule has
been for the Ministry ordering an election TO be
defeated at the polls.
While Americans may regard the success OF
TIE Marquis di Rudini as opposed to Slgnor
Crspi with comparative Indifference. they will
doubtless feel some satisfaction in his unequivo-
cal victory over the Radicals and Socialists.
Toward the close of last year. it will be remem-
bered the Radicals under the lead Of Signor
Cavaloti demanded a dissolution of Parliament,
and three. ened to oppose The Government if It
were not granted. The Marquis d Rudin wise
ly decided not to yield to their demand. He pre-
fcrred open war with them to dependence upon
their support. In that he was justified by the
support of a majority Of the Chamber ndepen-
dent of them. and in this election he has again
been justified for in the new Chamber the Rad
ical faction will be so small that II will not have
to be reckoned as n serious factor.
The attitude Of the Vatican toward the cleo
ton was the same that II had long been. Strong
efforts were made to induce the Pope to rescind
the famous mon expedit." by which Catholics
are forbidden to take active part in politics; but
they were unavaing. That writ is. it is true.
disobeycd to a considerable extent. Catholics
do vote. usually with the Conservative party.
But they do not form an important party in
Italian politics There are those including not
n few Cardinals and other influential preates.
who strongly favor the general participation Of
Catholics in politics, believing that such Cleri-
cal partv would be able 10 modify legislation
materially In favor Of the Church. and would
ultimately control the Government. However
that might be- there seems scant possibility Of
the experiments being tried during the present
Pontificate.
The platform on which the Marquis di Rudini
fought this successful campaign Is worthy Of
notice II gives the place Of first Importance TO
finance as is fitting in country almost threat
ened with bankruptcy 1t denies that Erythrea
IS to be abandoned. Peace will be kept with
Menelek Kassala will he turned over 10 Egypt
or England-and n mere police force OF troops
will be kept AT Massowah. In European poll
tics italy will adhere TO the Triple Alliance and
10 the alleged concert of the Powers on the East
ern question That Is the platform which the
electors Of Italy have strongly approved. and we
NAV suppose tina: It expresses the general policy
which rho Italian Government will pursue-un-
til something happens 10 change II.