Evening star., 1915-01-24
SITUATION DEVELOPING


anti-clerical bloc declared for an inn
mediate accord with France. The radi-
Gals are constitutionals who accept tho
monarchy. but who are violently hostile
to the Catholics. They have elected
The republicans are Francophile and
have twelve seats.
The socialist-reform are separated
from the socialist-revolutionarie he
cause the former admit
Socialists pol teal collaboration
Senarated with the bourseoi
party. They would ad-
nit Intervention in the war. with tbs
idea of crushing militarism and the in
|auguration of an era OF peace In other
words, they would make war against
war. This party has at its disposal -
bi weekly publication entitled II Pcu-
sierra Reformista. The leader of tus
party is Signor Bissolati, and it pos
sesses twelve seats.
The ocialist-revolutionary party -
led by Signors Turati and Treves. IA
anti. published at Milan. The party has
sixty-nin seats.
The syndicalists after September l
declared themselves partisans OF inter
organ. LInternazionale. The two wings
of the party are thus united and agree
that they are I'm favor of war:
The Catholic party in Italy is forcs
with which government must now
count The party is divided into three
groups-Christian democrats, the purt
|intransigenti and the organized tatl-
olics. These groups have adopted DIFF
ferent attitudes.
The left wing, the Christian demo-
Gratis, publishes weekly, LAzione.
The leaders of this group are Signors
Cacciaguerra and Vaina. These protest
the allies. The right wing. the puri
intransigenti. is very active. but less
numerous, but possesses three daily
ljournals-LUnita Cattolica. published
at Florence: the Difesa. at Venice: and
Laboro. at Milan These latter favor
Catholic Austria and entertain violent
|antipathy for nti-clerical France.
They also reproach ''irredentism" with
being Masonic, etc
The organized Catholics stand be-
tween these two extremes. At Monte
citorio this group contains thirty dep
uties. among whom the most noted are
Signors Media, Michel and Cameroni.
This group is actually balance or
power and possesses the following inn
portant journals: L'Italia, published
at Milan: La Corriere dItalia. published
at Rome: II Momento at Turin, and
lLAvvenfre d'Italia, at Bologna.
4
| The sympathies of the organized
Catholics formerly favored Austria
Germany and regarded
OrQ0ulzed Austria as 4 purely
O.n,. Christian power, being
ooen"AeS' alienated from France
because of her anti-clerical policy OF
late years. But the group has recently
rallied to the defense of neutrality
after voting the following order OF
the day:
"At this historic moment the role OF
| Italy is to exercise a mission of eQui-
librium that all the powers in conflict
may appreciate 1t. A pacificating role
may be reserved to Italy which may
bring her more glory than military
victory. Catholics may decide to ad-
here with confidence to the complete
neutrality of Italy. They express VOWS
the attitude adopted and reserve the
national energies for the hour when it
may be necessary to defend the coun.
try against an aggression or a menace
OF the stranger
The Idea Nazionale protests by ex.
pressing the sentiments of many Caths
olics. who believe that German vic.
tories would mean the triumph of Lu.
after 1870: the French defeat would
mean the ruin of the Catholic world"
The nationalists are recruited prin.
cipally In Intellectual circles and no.
six seats In parliament. The party was
created in 1910. 1t saw in France at
| that time nation dominated by dema.
gogues. If war came Italy should
consider her interests" which meant
that Italy would follow Germany. Aft
er the declaration of the government in
favor the neutrality the nationalists
changed their policy and came out for
tlNA oil yno oto1t Tof
nails reproached that evolution. but
they justified their attitude on the
ground that nationalists above all were
"irredenti'-that is. patriotic-and in
patton in the war.
Irredentism, 1t should be said, is only
another word for nationalism. Irre-
dentiem was formed as party in 1873,
redeem the unredeemed provinces, Italian
speaking provinces. of Austria and in
corporate them with Italy. Italia ire
denta for fact is the keynote Of all
parties in Italy.
The liberals constitute the party
which contains the government major
ity in the chamber of $50.
Liberal This party corresponds to
STRENGTH the party majority IN
SsASn6 sA' France, a sort OF amor
phous state varying with certain local
conditions. The great majority of jour-
mails are liberalists: The Corriere Della
Sera, published at Milan, prints 100000
daily: the Stampa, at Turin: II Resto
Carlino. at Bologna; II Mattino. at Ma
pies: L'Ora. at Palermo: the Gazzetta
di venezia, at Venice. etc.
The liberal party is recruited princi-
pally among the middle classes-mer-
chants, manufacturers and others not
belonging to any sect. The events or
July, 1914, found the liberals very much
divided. The party as fact was more
triplician than otherwise, but popular
sentiment was unquestionably in favor
Of the allies.
The economical situation in Italy -
fairly good. Numerous industries have
been established to satisfy the mlli-
tary and naval necessities. Some indus.
tries have been created since August
and September to replace productions
from belligerent countries. From aI
agricultural point Of view the produc9
of 1914 was inferior to that Of 1913.
The financial situation has improved.
The metallic reserve fund in sucn
banks as the Banca Commerciale, Cred-
ito Italiano, Societa Bancaria and Creds
f-N. .