New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12
ITALIAN "EKTRAVAGANCE."

There is much talk just now about the Eek
travagance" Of the Italian Government and the
oppressive burdens 1t has laid upon the people,
producing discomfort and revolutionary spirit.
This proceeds not only from the Socialist and
Anarchist friends of the murderer Of Humbert,
but also from many others who regard that
crime with appropriate adherence, but at the
same time deem its victim to have been All IN
faithful steward of the interests Of his people.
There can be no doubt that Italy has since
1870 spent far too much in unproftab BILE under
takings and has overstrained her resources in
trying 10 keep pace with her partners in the
Triple League. AS we have already pointed out,
however, this has been the work of Ministers
and Parliaments elected by the people, and not
Of the sovereign. There is no record that Hum
bert urged such extravagances nor reason for
holding him either technically or morally re-
sponsble for them. They were committed by
the constitutional representatives Of the people,
and largely In response to a strong popular
demand. It is the nation itself that is to be
blamed.
It will not do, however to suppose that all
italian expenditures have been for armies and
navies. Much has been spent upon military
equipment but much also has gone for public
works of an industrial, commercial or sanitary
nature. There is probably no country in Europe
in which such expenditures as these latter have
been comparably as great as in Italy. Nor do
we now refer only to the railroads, which have
been built all over the land. too often in ad-
vance Of needs For single example, one of
many such, we may cite e reclamation OF the
great plain Of the Pc. A region of 100000 acres,
occupied by twenty-four commuues with
population Of 10000. has from time immemo-
rial been subject 10 disastrous foods and to
consequent pestilences. Whenever the Pc, the
Panaro and the Secchia were in food ii was
transformed into lake At least once in every
year IT was submerged. and occasionally the
food was so great to cause utter devastation.
OF course, fevers. rheumatism and other dis
eases Were perennially endemic Nearly a cen
fury ago Napoleon Bonaparte planned works
which should protect 1t from the foods but the
task was scarcely begun until the reign of King
Humbert. In 1892 it was taken up in earnest
and pushed to completion. 1t was some time
ago finished In the form of a great reservoir
and canal, which perfectly protect the country
against iDundation The region is thus fully re-
deemed from floods, and the pestllences are
banished. The cost of the work was about
$4,000,0O0. And that, we have said was
only one of many such public works Half a
dozen similar drainage operations have been
completed with marked success, nearly a hun
dred rivers have been embarked so as to pre-
vent their overflow, many ports and anchorages
have been improved and innumerable other
works of public utility have been performed
In just such undertakings for the good of the
people the Government has spent in the last
nine years fully s35O000OO
If we compare these expenditures for public
works with those for military purposes, we find
the latter. of course to be far the greater But
in that respect Italy has been no worse sinner
than her neighbors. For instance, In 1890 Italy
spent S15.o00.000 on public works and $1,000