The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-05-11
BAR BAROUS. INCAPABLE
SignOr Crispf, Italian Statesman Pre-.
dieting Ultimate Defeat for the
Spaniards-Paying for Monstrous
Sins.

NEW YORK, April ga dispatch to
the World from Rome says: Signor
Crispi being asked what would be the
result of the Americana Spanish war.
answered emphatically:
1T is the end of Spain. l regret. as
90 all Italians, that our Latin sister
has allowed herself to be drawn into
such an ompasse, from which, can
assure you, she cannot escape without
great injury
Inc interviewer suggested to the for
mer premier that he was very severe
on valiant Spain.
Valiant. chivalrous-yes," he replied.
but these are virtues of the middle
ages as understood by the grandees of
Spain. In our nineteenth century, ini-
tlatlye is necessary, practical spirit.
which, in the Spaniards, is absolutely
wanting. They have committed mon
strous sins, for which she Is paying
now. l do not say the Americans have
any right to interfere in the affairs OF
Cuba, but the Spaniards certainly
have shown themselves cruel, barbar-
GUS and incapable of governing the
pearl of the Antilles. In one way or
another, they will lose the beautiful
colony.
The prime cause Of SPANS condition
is the general state of ignorance the
upper as well as the lower classes. It
is the priesthood, absolutely sovereign
everywhere, which has led that fine
country into ruin. The Catholic religion
is indeed a beautiful religion Christian
ity has done much good. But through
an ever retrograde spirit the clergy has
done irreparable damage to the Latin
race"
Haly's greatest statesman was asked
what ne thought the results of the war
would be.
Very grave results" he answered.
In the first place, what will become of
Cuba after the war? Sne will be small
republic, of which there are already too
many over there-constantly in revolu-
ton or bankruptcy. But that is the least
important side of tie case. 1t is to be-
feared that the Az orleans, intoxicated
by an easy victory, viii throw haphazard
all their energy against the European
colonies left in their ne ighborhood.
Canada assuredly will be one Of their
first victims, unless an Anglo-American
&c foh1 srI
and Washington-and that would offer,
to my mind, many dangers for the peace
of the world
In short, if the United States defeat
Spain, as is probable, they will lie
obliged, in order to maintain their DO
sition, to have recourse to costly arma-
ments, and Europe, which is looking
forward to the time Of actual disarma-
ment, will more than ever be plunged in
to an endless expense. After armies for
land, the navies must now be IN
creased. Where 1t will stop, 1 do not
know In any case, it seems to me that
the war has in store some unpleasant
surprises"
Senior Crispi was asked if he thought
Europe ought to have interviewed
Alas" he responded, Europe re-
sembles Spain from certain point Of
view. Anarchy is dominant every
where. To speak frankly, there is no
Europe. The European concert Is only
a sinister joke. Nothing can be ex-
pected from the concert of the powers"
1t was observed to Signor Crispi that
we are then marching direct to ruin and
decadence.
NO. he said, towards the unknown.
Who knows what tomorrow has in store
for us. We must have confidence in the
future"