The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
rs THE VATICAN IN DANGERq
A Rome Despatch Says the Anarchists Arc
Greedy for Its Treasures.
From the 81. Louis Globe. Democrat


From, the ST. Louis Globe. Democrat.
ROME. Nov. 29.-In no capital of The Old
World has the Anarchist movement secured q
more extensive hold upon the masses than in
the Eternal City The all-prevailing distress
and misery render Italy a particularly ropitious
field for the anarchistic propaganda. Disciples
are found not only among the lower classes, but
also among the impoverished aristocracy, and it
was not for nothing that Crispi. while Premier,
devoted all his energie 3 to a vain attempt to
prevent its growth; for. kcen.sigbted beyond
every other Italian statesman. he realized that
the chief danger by which his country is threat.
ened 10 the red spectre Of anarchy.
Within the last few weeks there has for some
reason or other been a steady drift of individu-
ais known to DO associated with the Anarchist
movement from all parts of Europe to this city.
The authorities have until now been at a loss to
account for the gathering OF these clans. which
are the most relentless foes of Order property,
law, and religion. But within the past forty
eight hours the police have in some way or an.
other acquired the conviction that tho Anarch-
lists have in view some carefully organized pop
ular disturbances here in connection with the
new taxes. the main object of which is not
80 much the overthrow of either the Cabinet or
the dynasty as the footing OF the Vatican.
The funds Of tho Anarchist movement just
at the present are very low, the Socialist papers
of Berlin and other German cities having
recently made an appeal for subscriptions 10 the
Treasury Of the Government on the ground that
it's receipts had sadly fallen of, while the OK
pcnscs have increased. This is all the more I'M
fortunate ana untimely from an Anarchist point
of view as in Spain. in Portugal, in Germany, in
Austria, and above all in Italy. the movement
has never been more favorable for Anarchist
coups. Resources are, therefore. needed at
nnr Thnr cannot hn nrnrnrnd hy lnuifipnnta
means. and must, therefore, be sought by either
fraud or violence.
Now. there is no place in the world. not oven
the KlOndikc. where jewels and precious metals
are gathered together In such enormous quanti-
ties and in SO relatively small a space as in tho
possibly for several hundred years previously,
the Popes have been accommodating gold, gems
asS tre ihs present of every PSnti f9n's sI0ns bs Shar;
received in 1883. on the occasion Of his
jubilee. offerings, mostly in gold, silver
tent Of 500. 600. 900. Scarcely a foreign prelate
visits this city without bringing offer,
ING from %up shs Sew s' Morld Of Vie Wien fiT Is is s0 re-:
merely during the reign Of the admirable Pom.
tiff. but throughout those of his countless pre-
deccssors. it viii, readily BIO realized to what an
Vatican arc crowded witt, treasures vast be-
You'd the dreams even of a Monte Crlsto..
stepchildrcn Of fortune who. rendered desperate
TO tho point of madness, by the sense Of their
wealth and luxury Of heJwell-io'do, constitute
the most untiring and bitter enemies OF every
thing In tho shape of property and capital.
and resort TO anarchy for tho object OF re,
lleying themselves from destitution; That ia
Government has at once despatched not mere
attachments OF troops, but whole. regiments, to
block all the approaches TO the Vatican, at the
same time barring tho Angels Bridge across the
Tiber with guns for the purpose OF preventing
that assault upon the POntiflcal palace which
everybody here realizes would constitute the
first and chief object of tho onslaught of any
Roman mob that manages to get tho better OF
the authorities.
This peril has, in the opinion OF tho Govern
ment and OF the Italian police, become more
acute and imminent within the last few weeks
and not only are the military and civil author
tiles devising special measures for the protcc
ton of the Vatican, but the Pontifical officials
have been warned to be on their guard.