Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1894 — ITALIAN TROUBLES. [ARTICLE]

ITALIAN TROUBLES.

The era of peace that has seemtngly settled down upon the face of Europe, after so many years of diplomatic strife, intrigueand contention that at all times rendered war a possibility, has apparently failed to reach the land where once the Coesars ruled. The cities of Carrara and Massa di Carrara have rebelled against the government of Humbert and Crispi and have been declared in a state of siege by royal proclamation. Premier Cri3pi assures the world that the troubles are entirely local and can not affect the kingdom in a general way, but it is known that taxation of the most burdensome character has alienated the loyalty of Italian subjects to the point of revolution, and that the present regime can only continue by means of the most rigid military support of the civil authorities, or a radical change in the governmental policy. In Sicily the imposition has already resulted in ominous violence and the popular feeling is aggravated to a dangerous tension. What with anarchist and other secret societies constantly plotting for its overthrow, the state of actual rebellion in Sicily and at the Carraras, together with the ever-preseut undercurrent of sympathy with the Pope because of his loss of temporal power, the future of the dynasty founded by Victor Emanuel does not seem particularly auspicious, and the world need not be surprised at startling changes in Italian affairs within • short tim;. The day when an intelligent people can be ruthlessly robbed under the guise of taxation and then kept under by force of arms has passed. Garibaldi did not fight in vain and his heroic deeds, though failing of their ultimata purpose, have left an enduring impress upon Italian intelligence that mav yet bring freedom to an outraged people. ___