New-York tribune., 1909-01-17

during the course of one of his brief and some
what rare public addresses exclaimed In Italy
no man does his duty From the highest to the
lowest the laisser faire and laxity are complete
Now it is TO the accomplishment of their sew
eral duties that all. without distinction. must be
called begin with myself. and am trying TO ,
do my duty, conscientiously and with love. This |
must serve as example and as q spur to !
others Ny ministers must help me in every
thing. and they must promise nothing that they
cannot perform They must not create illu-
sions." These were no empty words King Vic
tor Emmanuel without any violation of his
constitutional rights, has established himself
thoroughly as the rnquestoned master Of his
people with an amount of personal authority
and influence superior to that enjoyed by any
of his predecessors on the throne Of Italy, Of
Sardinia and of Savoy.
This authority is largely derived from the
universal belief in the sanity of his Judgment. in
his profound sense Of justice and of fair play
and in his honesty OF purpose It is also based
on the conviction that his eye is everywhere !
an impression 10 which he contributes by flying
about all over the country. by rail and by auto
mobile There is hardly a hamlet in Italy which
he has not visited. and where he IS not known,
and by thus taking the trouble to get into per
sonal contact with his subjects no matter how
humble he has brought home TO them the fact
that he has their interests and their welfare at
heart Even the Socialists admire him. while he
on his side has a kindly feeling toward them.
based upon a careful study of their utterances,
IF their methods and Of their literature.
Speaking some time ago about them he ex-
claimed: Il have read the speeches of the
members Of that party: I have studied their
political and social programmes and have ar
rived at the conclusion that if those men were
intrusted with the government they would DO
good work for the country. It is true that their
programme contains an anti-monarchical plan.
but that does not prevent me from approaching
the value of their economic and social policy
If the Socialists oppose the monarchy it is be-
cause the rnonarchical party regards the Social
lists as. ipso facto enemies of modern society I
am certain that at the bottom the Socialists do
not bother themselves much about the form Of
government. whether it be monarChical or re-
publican They would easily reconcile them
selves to a monarchy If the constitutional par
ties would take them by the hand and work
together for social and economic reforms.
HIS PROGRESSIVE LAW MAKING.
This Is policy which the King has endeav-
ored Icy every means in his power to promote.
and much of the legislation which he has per-
sonalIr initiated since he ascended the throne
and for which he is even more responsible than
his ministers has been carried through parlia-
nent with the Endorsement of the Republicans
and Socialists. who felt themselves compelled
10 vote in favor IF laws proposed by the admin
istration. owing to the fact that these measures
had formed part and parcel Of their own pro-
grarnTne and were Of so progressive and liberia
q character that they could take no possible
exception thereto
True. there has never been any actual alliance
Of the King and of his government with the
In art At he La
the issue at the polls monarchy against ,
republicarisna. the administration announcing
that il would not oppose any candidates who
supported the dynasty. and contenting itself
with enuTnerating the laws enacted since Victor
Ernrnanuel's accession. the contest resulting IN
an overwhelming victory for the crown and a
phenomenal decline in the anti-dynastic' vote.
But still when one finds the Socialists and the
Republicans voting with the government in
favor Of liberal measures known to owe their
origin 10 the King. it must be admitted that the
snin1osity between the two IS not OF 4 very
acute nature. and that, to say the least, some
thing, IN the nature Of a modus vivendi exists
What this means 10 the economic and political
welfare Of a country so honeycombed with So
cialism as Italy quarter. Of a century ago
only those who recall the sanguinary insurrec-
tfors that go grievousIy disturbed italian trade
and industry during the reign Of the late King
Hurnbert can appreciate.
Victor Emmanuel began his tenure Of she
throne by sternly refusing Il resort to exCep-
tional measures for the suppression Of anarchy
that IS Of the movement which had robbed
him by assassination Of = father TO whom he
was devoted-declaring that the existing laws
were adequate for every purpose and that Italy
must under all circumstances remain free
country He proclaimed through his ministers
in parliament his Acknowledgment Of the use
fuIness of uorkmen's syndicates as well of
the fact that the organization of the working
classes into unions was the best way of protect
ing the proletariat BY equalizing taxation he
has been able t. diminish the burden upon the
masses placing fairer share of the weight
the shoulders of the classes. who Of course re-
taliated by endoyving him with the nick
name Of which Frederick the Great used 10 be
SO proud-namely that of the "Roi des Gueux"
fXing Of the tramps and Of the ragged
And more than this. he has succeeded in re-
establishing the financial equilibrium Of the
state The big annual deficits which We're so
regular feature Of the reign of Humbert and
Of the latters father deficits which caused Italy
TO be generally regarded abroad doomed to
national bankruptcy. have oeen transformed
into s,Irpluses No stronger proof OF the altered
economic condition Of the kingdom be fur
nished than the fact that the treasury has been
able to reduce the interest Of government bonds
from AZ 10 " per cent and that they neverthe
less remain considerably above par. What has
contributed in no small measure to the i'm
proved economic condition of italy has been the
Er-r, -riro-~T To- CIps hat