The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-01-11
A. THURSDAY, JANUARY IL. 1906.

peninsula, cannot be used for agricul-
tural purposes Neither can Italy be
called manufacturing country. Vic
tor Emanuel commenced his reign with
an empty treasury, but with debts far
out of proportion to the resources of
the country. An army and navy had
to be created, for it might be needed at
any moment. The pope considered the
temporal power indispensable to the
proper exercise of his duties as head
OF his church, and he and his two suc-
cessors have never ceased to protest
against the annexation of their terri
tory, and firmly expect to be reinstated
at the first presentable opportunity,
and such an opportunity did not ap-
pear remote at that time. Under these
circumstances, it caused great surprise
when all at once, probably on the initi-
alive of Bismarck and Disraeli, first
England, then Germany, France, Rus
sia and. much later, Austria raised the
ranks of their ministers to the Quirinal
(for the Vatican is separately repre-
sented) to ambassadors, thereby ac-
knowledging the new kingdom as
Great Power.
Only once before, in the history of
Europe, had comparatively small
country been acknowledged as Great
Power. That was Prussia under Fred
erick the Great. But Frederick had
clearly demonstrated his title to the
distinction by having successfully COM
bated against Russia, Austria, the
German States, France and Sweden:
sometimes even against two and three
of these at one and the same time
Italy had gained her independence only
in very small part by her own valor
and exertion, but had to thank her uni
tication to France and, Prussia. How
ever, just at that time the map of
Middle Europe had been changed al
most out of recognition, and number
of countries appeared to be sitting on
powder magazine. 1t is very probable
that at that time Victor Emanuel
promised to establish powerful army
and navy, which, in fact, he did estab-
llsh, thereby making Italy recognized
power in all affairs centering in the en-
vironment of the Mediterranean.
Since then, conditions have greatly
changed. When Italy entered into the
Triple Alliance with Germany and
Austria, a still further augmentation
of her forces became incumbent on her,
tho her financial condition was already
as desperate as desperate could be.
The consequence was, that during the
last ten years she was compelled to
financial intrenchment by gradually
decreasing her standing army, and by
keeping her navy solely in necessary
repairs. 1t can hardly be said that at
present Italy is entitled to be counted
a great power. If the death of Francis
Joseph should be followed by dlsso-
AUoAoh VI CuO AuoUI1du LIuplr0, dQ
eventuality that has to be reckoned
with, an upheaval of that part of
Europe is sure to occur, and then the
test of Italy's strength may come. Let
us hope that the finest country of Eu-
rope will not again become a prey to
foreigners; nor to her own disunited
people.
Tho this sketch was written in it's
entirety from memory, without the use
of notes or books of reference, the his
torical events may be accepted as cor
rect in all particulars. The few
comments at the close of the article,
however, are mere expression of per-
sOnal opinion, and must be taken for
what they may be worth. 1850. :
If All Were Honest.
IF ALL mankind were made honest