New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-14

these Memoirs have, by the passing OF
time, already assumed a strictly historic
interest; the second volume, on the other
hand, is an important contribution u
the Study of the evolution and tendencies
Of present-day European politics, mace
most timely by the annexation of Trlpoi,
the latest result to date of the Turko-
Russian War and the Congress of Ber-
lin.
As statesman, as the Kingdoms Minis
fer Of Foreign Affairs, Crispi was TO a
certain extent the victim of circum-
stances, of the vacillation of his prede-
Cessors and successors in office; the VIC
tim. also, of death. which at vital mo
ment in his policies claimed both Victor
Emmanuel and Plus TX. He was the
victim, most Of all, of party politics that
did not scruple to drag into the public
light his private life i'm order to drive
him from power. as, at later date II
did not scruple to misrepresent an IT.
regularity forced upon him by his pre-
decessors as an act Of corruption and
incubation. But withal, for better or for
VI
young kingdom from an obscure place
TO the rank of one Of the great powers
OF Europe the equal partner Of Germany
and Austria, the alternative for France
in England's Mediterranean policy. His
attitude OF suspicion and opposition tow
ard the French Republic. for which he
WAS much blamed at the time, was
forced upon him, as he repeatedly shows
here, by that country's manifest inten-
lions 10 continue its tradition OF in1u-
ence in the peninsula. inherited from the
Third Empire and the First, and from
the Directory. The price Italy paid for
her role as a world power as voice IN
Tho concert Of Europe" was crush
ing one, yet 1t is likely that, in this at
least, history will in course Of time come
30 regard Francesca Crispi as the worthy
successor Of Cavour who, by means OF
tho Crimean war, gave the little king
dom Of Sardinia new status and impor"
tance.
There is a sober simplicity in these
Memoirs which proves that Crispi was
FAR more concerned with the course %
events than with his own glorltcation.
The romance OF his exile, OF his strug-
giles for bare living in London and
elsewhere. OF his daredevil tours %
Sicily in Disguise to prepare the way for
The coming Of the Thousand, the part he
took in the organization, equipment and,
ultimately, in the departure Of Garibaldi
at the head of the expedition. all this iS
told with dignity and without flourishes,
the editor proving By his skilful use of
the documents in his hands that Crispfs
share in it all was far greater and far
more decisive than is generally known.
New light is thrown also upon the ex-
tremely complicated situation that was
caused by Garibaldfs crossing Of the
Strait Of Messina. a moment Of extreme
anxiety to Cavour, who considered Crispi
q dangerous obstacle in his path, al
though in reality the Sicilian was work.
ing with all his. powers toward a COM
mon end.
OF Mazzini. the dreamer, who helped
him all he could during the days Of his
penury in exile, Crispi observed in 1858:
His conduct in wishing 10 place weighty
matters I'm the hands Of inscriptions men
has greatly distressed me. Good God!
After so. many failures, due precisely 20
the meddling action Of persons Of no stand
ing, IL Is inexcusable foolishness TO make
use of men OF ill-repute. His great weak
ness is his belief that every one is honest.
Elected President Of the Chamber OF
Deputies in 1876. Crispi proceeded IN
the autumn OF the following year to
London, Paris and Berlin, on a secret
mission for his King. Attempts to shape
the international policy Of Italy had been
begun three years earlier, but had ended
IN failure, since the effort then made TO
carry water on both shoulders" t.
maintain close relations with Franco
while drawing nearer 10 the Central Eu-
ropesn powers. was found 10 be impossi-
bic Of execution. Crispi Jared better
especially with Bismarck. Not the least
interesting part OF this second volume is
the unconscious revelation of the Ger