Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-09-20
Thirty Six Years Ago Today
Eternal City Became Cap
itdl of United Italy.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
IN ITALY'S new HISTORY
United Italy Demanded the Old
Capital For the Use of
the New Kingdom.

Rome, Sept 20.-Thirty-six years
ago today Rome, formerly the capital
of the Papal State was occupied by
Italian troops and became the capital
of the kindgom of Italy. The occupa-
ton of Rome marks the date OF Haly's
independence and for that reason
the anniversary of the day is celebrat-
ed by Italians not only in their own
country but wherever they may have
found temporary or permanent resi-
dence. 1t was on September 20, 1870,
that the troops OF Victor Emanuel
took possession of the Eternal City In
response to the invitation of its inhab-
itants and in Difference to the clamor-
Gus demands of the entire Italian peo-
pie.
The presence of q French army OF
occupation at Rome from 1S49 to 1870
for the avowed purpose of defending
the temporal sovereignty of the Pope
had served to embitter the population
of the papal states to such an extent
that 1t was quite as difficult to pre-
vent them from rising In revolt as it
was to check the people of other por-
tions of the peninsula from giving
torcible expression to their deep re-
sentiment at the presence OF foreign
troops on Italian territory. On several
occasions, indeed, King Victor Eman-
euPs troops we're employed to suppress
insurrections in the papal states, and
three tines Carlbaldf was seized anR
placed under arrest by order OF tine
king for leading armed forces across
the pontifcial frontiers for the pur-
pose of taking Rome.
Finally in 1870, when the war witt.
Germany compelled France to with
draw her army of occupation from
Rome, disturbances at once broke ouS
In the papal states and grave disor-
ders ensued, while throughout Italy
the popular agitation in favor of the
annexation of Rome and its conver-
sion into the national capital became
more pronounced. At length, Victar
Emanuel, realizing that it was imp0s-
sible to restrain any longer the VIII
of his people, addressed a most re-
spectful and conciliatory letter to Plus
TX, pointing out to him the necessity
of succeeding the French occupation
with one by Italian troops, for the pur-
pose of maintaining order. The offers
contained in the letter were refused
by the pope. Responding, however.
TO the invitation of the people of the
papal states the Italian troops crossed
the frontier and, after some more ne
gotiations, took possession of Rome.
welcomed by it's inhabitants. The only
resistance they met was tnat by the
handful of foreigners which formed
the papal guard.
General Cadorna, in command OF the
italian forces, had received strict or
ders not to cross the Tiber, but ID
leave that part of the city. situated
on the right bank of the river, incluf-
ing st. Peters, the Vatican and the
San Angelo castle, in other words the
Leonine city, to the care Of the papa1
! troops. The government intended to
leave that part of the city in posses
sion OF the Pope. However, Tie por-
ulation became greatly excited and
demonstratiye and finally, the author
titles of the Vatican requested General
Cadorna TO occupy the LeOnine citI
with his troops. At first he declined.
fearing to disobey his orders and
causing political complications, but SO
urgent were the requests Of the Vati'
can authorities, that finally ne crossed
the Tiber with his troops and oecu-
pied the papal precincts, which ever
since remained in the possession OF
the Italian government. Before a
week had elapsed the people of the
papal state decided by an overwhelnl-
ing plebiscite to become part of the
kingdom of Italy.
AS usual the day was celebrated
throughout Italy today. The mayor
of the city sent his congratulations to
the king and the latter answered with
a handsomely worded message of APP
probation. The day is observed as a
holiday and popular celebrations are
held everywhere.