Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-08
COMPARED TO RAD|UM
Scientific Discovery by Pisa
University Professor.

| Special Cablegram The Star.
ROME, July THE announcement that
Professor Battelli of the Pisa University
has discovered a gas from the san Giuiiaho
mineral springs which when condensed
gives a substance whose active emanations
are comparable with that of radium, Is at
tracing no end of attention in scientific
circles.
It is probable that the substance is radio
thoraum. A young italian scientist named
Blanc stated a short while ago that he had
found mineral water, which apparently
did not possess any trace of thoraum,
traces of radio-thoraum. Batteli's discov-
cry Is believed to have been this, as 1t is
likely that nothing has been overlooked 1t
has not yet been demonstrated that the
substance is much more powerful than re-
dunn as at first announced, but it is GER
tain that the gas is endowed with highly
radioactive properties. Special machinery
has been constructed to isolate the gas.
The vote of confidence received by Sig
nor Giolitti from the chamber was, the
Popolo Romano seems to admit this morn
ing, of purely personal character and is
not very easily explained. The govern
rnent program is that of Baron Sonnino,
unchanged in any essential particulars; Its
only pledges are to carry out legislation
proposed by its predecessors.
Certain Ministry Would Be Assaulted.
1t was certain that the new ministry
would be assailed by the extreme left, but
the hostility of the right must have been
an unpleasant surprise, as up to the last
moment benevolent neutrality had been Sc
cured on the part of the Marquis di Rudini
and his followers. The life of the ministry,
however, with its ample majority, should be
safe until after the summer recess. But
much may happen before November to dis
turb that security, and its present majority
is no pledge of its continuance. The
entrance of the Di Rudini group into OPP
position at once suggests a possible coaii-
ton of the conservative parties which may
prove more attractive to the chamber than
the leadership of Baron Sonnino alone. On
the other hand, the extreme left may be
expected to make an energetic effort to re-
capture the position they have lost in the
country, and IT Is more than probable that
their agitation will produce its usual crop
OF labor troubles and disturbances.
There are various reports concerning the
health OF the pope prevailing in Rome at
present. mere Is no doubt that the affairs
IN france are very trying to him, and occu-
py his mind greatly. Some persons consider
that his state is dangerous, but these arc
aiarmists OF an exaggerated type; others
regard his recent illness as indicative of
condition which is dangerous; While the ac-
tual fact of his giving audiences daily and
receiving the cardinal projects of congrega-
ttOIis lNdC he is larry well.
Decadence of Anti-Clerical Spirit.
In remarkable article writer notes the
decadence of the anti-clerical spirit in Italy
He gives the following as the causes of the
change: The anti-cericaI agitation which
preceded the unifcation of Italy has nat
urally died away on the completion of that
unifcation, and in public life a very natural
instinct and feeling have arisen that the
hA ffaa n
by sort of moral cohesion. The anarchls-
TIC propaganda of socialism with Its revo-
lutonary and anti-mllitaristic War-cry have
driven the well-balanced and pacific minds
of the Italians to band together the con-
serVatlVe forces of the country, in order to
promote a reaction against the subversive
tendencies of these destructive movements
Public opinion has also been affected by the
sight of anti-clerical France and her de-
cadence; while the progress of Ang saxon
nations as we'll as the prosperity of Catholic
Germany nave resulted in delivering official
and lay Italy from that miserable bondage
under which for more than century Ital-
lans were led to believe that they could
not safely follow their own religious in
stincts, but must adopt the extravagant
theories of France. Among other things,
IT is stated that the grandson of Garibaldl
is studying for the priesthood "
A medieval ditch. which was reopened by
Signor Boni lying under the foundation of
thu Column of Trajan was found to be
showed marks of weapons in many places
and 1t is supposed that these were the
slaughtered left after some dreadful battle
which 1t is held occurred in the wild times
OF the seventh or eighth century. That the
authorities in Rome had care for the
ancient monuments is clearly deduced from
decree issued in 1162, prohibiting under
penalty of death anything tending to de-
stroy this monumental column.
Exhibition of Art.
The exhibition of Italo- Byzantine art at
the Abbey of Grotta-ferrata opened about
the end of 1904. has just been closed This
abbey, which is under the rule of the Greek
Basllan monks is a national monument
and the exhibition was under the direction
or control of the Italian minister of public
instruction. Hence, Signor Adolfo Venturi
professor of art and writer on the history
or art, represented the minister on the oc-
casion of it's close.
Signor Ventura described the Character
lstics of Byzantine art and its Importance
as q source and rich field of later and freer
art. He praised Abbott Peliegrini who ha,l
converted what was but a desire and
scarcely hope. into reality by the tenac-
ity of his will
The treasures brought here together are
now about to be dispersed to their original
places Venice, Bologna, Rosano in Gala
bria, the Vatican Museum OF Christian Art
and many other places. The memory of the
exhibition will, however, remain as an en-
6rri 1serI<