Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-27
|TAlYS CHANGE OF CABINET MANY RAILWAY MEN ATTEND
MAYOR DES PLANCHES MAY BE
AT THE HEAD.
Not an Assured Fact, But His In
terest in Politics Makes Him
Likely to Be Selected.

Advices received from Rome today state
that as some dissension exists between
the clerical and liberal factions of the
Italian government, a change in the cabi-
net may be necessary, and that man
well acquainted with the circumstances
which form this antagonism will be ap-
pointed to head it, The man, according to
a we'll authenticated rumor. is Baron des
Planches. the Italian ambassador at
Washington
On several occasions Baron Mayor has
been slated as a candidate for the position
of leadership in the Italian cabinet, be-
cause of his great knowledge of Italian
politics. not only national but also for
eign. AS the ambassador was schooled
Crispi. the best loved and at the same
time the most hated statesman of that
country, he is the natural candidate.
King Victor Emmanuel on more than
one occasion has complimented Baron des
Planches, the most successful diplomat
Italy has sent to this country: a man who
has done wonders in queting that ill-feel-
ing which eight and ten years ago existed
here toward all Italians. 1t must be said.
however, that the ambassador has exer-
cised an ndescrbable influence over his
fellow citizens who have sought the
favors Of the United States new
mother country. He has taken their in
terests at heart. and wherever it was pos
sible saw that justice was equally dis
tributed. He mingled among them, and
received complaints and eulog1es from
them directly.
Not Assured.
The fac: of Baron Mayor leaving the
United States at once is not assured. Be-
cause of his political tendencies, and
because of his intimate knowledge of the
policies which made Italy what it is to-
day. guided by the hand of Crispi. whose
private secretary he was and also as a
young diplomatist in the favor of the late
Prince Bismarck. he has many enemies
enemies not in the sense of hatred, but
antagonists in views and political be-
liefs.
Italy today is in the midst of slow
change CIericalism is fast dying out.
and the once most Catholic country in
the world no longer holds that title. Mod
ernism and cericalism are fighting today
to the death. and the situation will soon
become acute. Crispi, as foe of the
church, because he maintained that 1t
has no right to interfere with the con-
duct of the government of great ma
tion is being loudly cheered by thousands
of Italians in sympathy with his politics
and they constitute the majority--hence
the threatened change of a cabinet. with
a new one under the leadership of Baron
des Planches
In the more than six years he has been
here Baron des Planches has done more
to create a good understanding between
the government of the United States and
that of Italy than all his predecessors.
Without recourse to treaties and to pro-
toco!s, he has reached an entente cor
dale with~the officials Sof the administra-
ton stronger than even the name i'm
plies.
No confirmation in Washington of the
rumor Is obtainabie. for such a change is
only announced officially when decided
upon but the change seems an assured
fact and If SO. this is perhaps the last
season the ambassador will pass in Wash
ngton.