The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-03
CRESPI'S MEMOIRS.
EnOrtstO Publish and To Suppress the Italian
statesman's VIndlcatI0n.

; statesman's VlndlcatIOn.
ROME. Oct. 2~i.-Renewed interest has
lately been aroused in the memoirs OF the
Italian statesman Signor Crispi. and the
more or less acrimonious discussion con-
corning the theft OF several important po-
litical documents from his desk on the
day OF his death has been ~re-opened.
II has been asserted by one Of his friends
that the papers stolen were those docketed
in the handwriting Of the late SignOr Crispi
as la Grande Infamia" 1.-THE great disgraoe),
and that they contained everything relating
TO the DISASTROUS war in Africa. Evidently
it was Signor Crispi's intention that these
papers should form the second part Of his
memoirs. together with "Reminiscences Of his
political life. both as head Of the Govern
ment and in the latter part Of his Parlia-
mentary career, 1893 to 1900.
Signor Crispi was most methodical in the
arrangement Of his correspondence. index
ing all his letters. and placing them in en-
velopes according to the subject to which
they related. By the publication Of the con-
tents Of the envelopes marked The Great
Disgrace" he hoped to be exculpated from
the blame of plunging the country into a
war which depleted her resources for many
years afterward.
1t is likely that the Disappearance Of these
papers has dOSe more to prevent the Crispi
family from printing the memoirs h any
thing else, as they were 10th to bring the
statesman's name into publicity again
without the means OF clearing him from
the many charges which almost furnished
the memory Of his earlier career. None
knew 50 well as Signor Crispi himself that
the failure Of the African campaign meant
his retirement from Office. and nobody
suffered 30 much as he from the ingratitude
of the people he had trive for.
Fol this reason he was careful 20 treasure
every scrap Of information and all ths
data relating TO the war. The delay in
publishing these memoirs 10 regrettable.
as no book brought out in Italy in recent
years could nave more interest for students
Of modern Italy.
Crispi's last years were sad. His family
troubles the hatred OF his countrymen.
who held him responsible for the massacre
OF the Italians in Africai his straitsned
financial condition. coupled with age and
loss Of eyesight. tinged his last days with
melancholy.
He was unable to improve his condition
either by the exercise OF his legal pro-
fession or by writing; his friends fonsook
him. his country forgot him INC poverty
stared him in the face. Still. his old energy
did not entirely desert him.
He cheerfully submitted TO a dificult
operation for cataract, partially recovered
his sight and set to work on his memoirs.
No Italian publisher. however. could be
found willing to run the risk OF bringing
them out.
The old statesman, undaunted by this
new obstacle. applied to his old friend the
Emperor Of Germany. who readily and
willingly arranged for the publication OF
the memoirs by a German editor. Signor
Crispi died before he had finished arranging
his papers, and he theft of the documents
mentioned above prevented his family
from br ringing put his memoirs.
Although SignOr Crispi was co nsidered
reckless in guiding the government, still
even today. in Piedmont and Iombs rdy.
the fruits Of his plans are ripening. These
districts have become a S~SiIshinE part
OF the ountry the only hope OF CONNER
cial Italy. and the need OF another man like
Crispi is felt to-day tn drag Italy from the
rut into which bureaucracy. red tape and
governmental ignorance have pushed her.
No party or the country needs such n man
more than the Moderate Conservatives OF
upper Italy. who feel the need OF a leader
like him, who was all things to- all men.
II was perhaps for this reason that he was
called a living contrast. as he had all the
determination % a practical man while
possessing az the same time many romantic
evolutionary ideas. and he always hoped
10 join the two into an altruistic form OF
government.
His Maz7inian prOpensities together with
his relations with the extreme parties were
often incomprehensible in a Prime Minister
who worked always for the good OF the reign
ing house Of Savoy. expanding its army
| and navy. keeping anarchists and So
Cialists at bay and spaT1ng no efort in
establishing the country securely as a
great European Power.
II was for his beloved island. Sicily, that
he hoped many things. and in every way
he stroVe to raise her TO n place worthy OF
her resources. Unfortunately his term OF
Office was too short to allow him TO be OF
permanent benefit to In island which has
been utterly overlooked and neglected
bV every other Italian cabinet
His daughter. the Princess Iingla glossa,
4. determined at all cost To keep her fathers
memoirs from the public. but other men,
hers Of the family are striving TO have them
published, and IL is more than probable
that they may succeed.