Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-07

TNHE man who steers Itays course through
1.-the existing infecity of general events
we'll deserves a word of praise. Premier
Salandra comes from that good southern
region OF Puglia, where classic tradition,
coupled, not antagohlstic, with modern ac-
tivity and with records of medieval gran
deur brings forth q valuable leaven to the
uprising of Italian life of today. He is a
man still in the prime of life, calm, we'll
balanced sane in mind and body, with the
characteristics Of the Latin race well ap-
parent in his mental makeup; keen insight,
and serene outlook on things His life
long legal training and 80 years parlia-
mentary experience enable him TO value at
their just measure the fine points of sit
uations, while quick sense of humor and
a quiet aristocratic contempt, for mental
vulgarity and demagogic politics of every
kind give him the happy mastery which
revealed itself since the first days of his
difficult leadership at the Chamber of Dep
uties.
ItS must be remembered that Premier
Salandra rose to his office when, after the
Libyan colonial war, the Giolitti Cabinet
crumbled down under the pressure of the
internal difficulties, unscrupulously evaded
up to when they demanded imperative So
lutions, which the Cabinet was unable to
face. The foreign situation seemed quiet
ae-the time. The Socialists howled with
unhoy joy. as they thought they were going
to have the spree of their life over the new
quiet conservative Premier, Meanwhile,
Glolittl was congratulating himself over his
slick If INSCRIPTIONS way of sliding out of
difficulties and letting one of his most ter
ribls rivals be crushed by the rolling
avalanche of popular discomfort and the
II.At
faced quietly first the parliamentary indis-
cipline and the severe trial of handling a
Chamber of Deputies elected by universal
suffrage for the first time in Italy, and,
worse, under the auspices of his predecessor
and adversary; then the railroad strike;
then the riots of Romagna and the Marche,
and then. fortunately, summer came, Par
Lament closed for the season, and the Cab
met was going to work peacefully at sew
eral urgent necessities OF national life, when
the European war broke out suddenly, as
the world knows
The formula of "watchful neutrality" that
the salandra Cabinet gave out then as the
emblem of Italian attitude was the result Of
more careful thought and undoubtedly OF
bolder determination than could appear open
ly at the time, Every day and event that
has since passed has shown its solid value as
we'll as its foresight.
Evidences OF StaIesmanship
After that of Pope Plus the Tenth, another
death of conspicuous Importance happened in
Rome; that of the Marquis di San Gluliano,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. who
long had been connected with the interests OF
the Triple Alliance, in fact was understood
To be one of its strongest supporters In
Italian political circles To obviate the innme-
date impression. which would have been
inevitable, of a break in the continuity OF the
Italian attitude by the prompt appointment OF
another man, possibly of different personal
views, Premier salandra took temporarily in
his own hands the direction OF the Foreign
ONCE. thus concentrating instead OF dlspers-
ing, the supreme authority Of the national
life. closely connected in such a moment as
this with the trend OF International events
The few days Of his regime at the For
elgn once have been characterized by an
important event. The Albanian situation had
been growing worse and worse, anarchy az
epidemios Yying with each other as 10 which
could make life sadder to the few Europeans
as well as to the few natives and the many
refugees around the Bay Of Valona, that
curious little harbor upon which SO much Of
the Adriatle situation depends Surely. at
least to that unfortunate COLLECTIVELY. it must
have seemed as II the trouble from the Bal
kansH so conseientiously prophesied By that
character Of KipIing's Light That
Failed" Torpenhow, had finally descended
upon the eastern Adriaue coast 10 stay.
Europe was busy way up north with her
aghE The Conferences of London seemed
barely distant echo Of empty words when
London vas intent o. other things OF the
greater Powers Il the conference. Italy re-
usainsd atone comparatively free of mind
md action And llalf has quietly gone r.
falana eifh fsN shins aad sanitary &
eeaItsaa = relieve faa pressure = zIeknsss