Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-08-02
SOME ITALIAN PROBLEMS.


II. Remsen Whitehouse, in the Forum.
The recent warnings Of Prof. Villari
in the Nuova Antologia have directed
attention to the real causes of the
growing unrest and disoantent mani
fest to all who interest themselves, even
from afar, in the affairs Of the Italian
Kingdom.
Prof. Villari, who is Senator of the
Kingdom OF Italy, is neither pessimist
nor an alarmist; nor would any of his
countrymen presume to style him a
visionary or doctrinaire. In the Ian.
guage Of far.sighted and practical
craftsmanship, instinct with simple
patriotism, and free from "fanfaroLade''
or narrow craftsmanship, he has exposed
to his fellow citizens some of the,
more fragrant existing evils, and
the dangers that attend them. The
unuuestionable authority of the ex-
ponent, and his universally aoknowl-
edged moderation in historical and
political criticism, preclude any thought
OF exaggeration.
The budget Is the mirror which re-
fleets not only the financial, tut also
the social and political conditions of n
country. Therefore, for clear aPpre-
citation OF the existing evils we must
cast glance at this imr ortant register
of the public veal. After series of
objectionable errors to use Signor Viii
| lari's words, the deficit in 1889 was
computed at 470, 600, 600 lire. BY a long
applied series of economics, and by
dint of rrodigious feats of financial
gymnastics, successive governments
nave contrived an equilibrium. "And
yet we are more Disconnected than
ever! ~ .exclaims Signor Villari. Con-
seauently, the realization OF this acme
of administrative bliss has not proved
the panacen for the social and political
maadies undermining the State. Nor
has it psrceptibly ameliorated the
general economic conditions, except in
certain local and special instances,
which, although individually important,
ale OF small Significance ip the mass
The reasons for this are obvious.
Economies alone, however sweeping,
could not accomplish this much
heralded equilibrium: it was neces
sary to devise fresh taxes or to increase
the burden Of those IN force. Italians
now enjoy the unenviable distinction
of being the most heavily taxed natior
in Europe. The interest Oh the per
petual debts alone amounts to 49O,
Doc, 900 lire. Signor Fortunate, thu
deputy, estimates the budget at 1,60(
million lire, out of which 800, 900, GOO
are deyoured by the interest on thu
; public debt in its various forms. in
Guiding pensions. Deduct anothe
100, 600, 600 reserved for the paymen
of redemptions, and but 600 million
remain for the expenses of the govern
ment, including the army, navy, publ
works. prisons, public security. &c
: This is not only n,eagre, but abso
lutely insufficient While declininl
to discuss the bearings OF tn
greatly hampered financial resource
upon the general efficiency of tn
army and navy, Prof. villari assert
that the medical clinics nll labora
tories, as we'll as the schools and STAN
in more or less need Of essentials
while there is not public library i
the kingdom which can afford to kee
abreast OF the times. Even the stat
archives are in many instances Above
to mould and decay 10 damp vaults 10
J want of funds to provide suitable storag