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Black Republic of Letters

Note - Francesco Crispi

Francesco Crispi (1818-1901) was prime minister of Italy in the 1880s and 1890s. Learn more about Francesco Crispi.

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"Bulletin of Europe and America" Translation: France – The Chambers are still in recess. Meanwhile, the press and public opinion are interested in the latest incidents of Boulangism. Mr. Mermeix, former newspaper reporter and Boulangist deputy, published, in Le Figaro, under the significant title of "The Wings of Boulangism," little secrets of this political cabal, which, if it had triumphed, would certainly have brought about terrible misfortunes in France. As a result of these revelations, General Boulanger would truly have brought about the fall of the Republic with the Bonapartists and Monarchists from whom he was receiving money.

The general opinion is that the Republic is getting stronger each day.

The arming is continuing, in view of the next war; the French see this as the guarantee of the security and the tranquility of their country.

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Italy – Mr. Crispi is still thrashing around in the gears of the Triple Alliance. He has derailed the attempts at a reconciliation between France and Italy, which many of his better intentioned and perspicacious compatriots are working for. Semi-official speeches have shown that Italy shares the sentiments of hostility of its minister, and that, commercially and militarily speaking, the best thing to do on both sides of the Alps is to keep arms at the ready and to stay alert.

A Rome journal, L'Opinione, in an article about the review of Italian finances, declared that in the first two months of the financial year the receipts are more 10 million below the budgetary provisions. If this continues, the deficit will reach 60 million, which added to the 40 million of the existing deficit, predicts a deficit of one hundred million in the current year.

As we see it, Italy is doing well.

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Russia – Russia is still the counterweight of the Triple Alliance, the supreme dispenser of peace or war in Europe. From time to time nihilists, to affirm their existence, blow up something or someone. The links of friendship with France still reach out and strengthen themselves more and more.

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England – Great Britain is more consistently than ever following its policy of conquests, or rather of colonial despoliations. Yesterday it was Portugal from whom England was taking possessions as its own domains; today it is Germany's flag in Africa. Queen Victoria must have a voracious appetite, to have such a need to expand her already immense empire.

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Germany – Since Emperor Wilhelm's voyage to Russia, he has hardly produced news worth reporting. On this subject, in Berlin there is much talk about a sensational article in the newspaper Annales Prussiennes which said that the voyage was a deception, and that the Russian court entertained its imperial guest with a series of pointless theatrical parades, while the military administration had ordered very serious manoeuvres on the western borders, just as the parade was finishing. It even adds that the Prince of Bismarck is visibly the instigator of this failed voyage.

The great manoeuvres and the inspection of the fleet at Kiel are currently demanding attention, with festivities and imperial receptions, all the subjects to keep up on.

The principal interest of the manoeuvres that took place on 6 September was the infantries' shooting with smokeless powder. It seems that the results were excellent. We can only cry alas! thinking about the murderous goal of all these great discoveries.

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United States – Economic questions must always come to mind when it comes to the United States. Europe worries or looks with confidence, whenever America, the world's breadbasket, leans more or less toward protectionism or free trade.

Currently, the unfavourable forecasts of the McKinley bill are being succeeded by a continuity that is allowing hope that ultra-protectionism will soon be on the decline in the United States. During the latest election in the state of Vermont, an important protest took place, which is a sign of the turning of public opinion. President Harrison persists in sustaining the ultras, but Mr. Blaine, although still far from wanting a return to free trade, is evolving toward a more liberal policy. The Wall of China that the Republicans want to set up between the United States and the European nations is threatening to become a Tower of Babel. The Americans, a practical people, seem to already be glimpsing the deplorable political and commercial consequences of the McKinley bill, and will know how to stop it in time.

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Bulletin of Europe and America
France
Several newspapers report that the Minister of War intends to rejuvenate the ranks of French general officers, as the latest major maneuvers have demonstrated the need to promote senior officers based on merit rather than seniority.

During the first months of 1890, imports amounted to 2,983,937,000 francs and exports to 2,401,813,000 francs. Compared to the corresponding period in 1889, these results represent an increase of 116,852,000 for imports and 68,832,000 for exports.

Portugal
The situation is becoming increasingly complicated. The king's position is becoming extremely difficult. He appealed in vain to all eligible men to form a ministry: progressives and republicans alike declared that they did not feel strong enough to have the agreement concluded with England passed in the Chamber. However, this unfortunate agreement has already been signed by the king; in some regions of Africa, it has even begun to be implemented. What can be done? Tear up the agreement? That would mean inevitable war with England, which is to say defeat and its harsh consequences. Indefinitely adjourn the convocation of the Chambers? That would mean immediate revolution.

A few clever individuals thought for a moment that they had found a solution: they proposed asking Lord Salisbury to change certain clauses of the Anglo-Portuguese Convention so as not to undermine the monarchical principle. It was a display of naivety coupled with complete ignorance of English political principles. Even before the proposal had been made officially, the Times, which had got wind of it, declared that if the Portuguese did not keep quiet, another small piece of their African possessions would be taken from them. No further efforts were taken in Lisbon.

Amidst this great turmoil, this appalling political crisis from which nothing good can be expected, it is regrettable to see the Portuguese republicans, whose patriotism dictated that they should cease their anti-dynastic opposition so as not to weaken the government in the eyes of foreign powers, instead taking advantage of external difficulties to push the country toward revolution.

The latest: Lisbon, 13 October—The crisis has eased, the new ministry is definitively constituted in the following manner:

President of the Council and Minister of War, General Aben e Sousa; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Barbosa du Bocage; of Finance, Mr. Mello Bouveia; of the Navy, Mr. Ennes; of the Interior, Mr. Antonio Candido; of Justice, Mr. Brandao; of Public Works, Mr. Thomas Ribeiro.

England
The war in Ireland continues. The Irish deputies O'Brien and Dillon, whose arrest and trial we had previously announced, have secretly left for America, despite their trial, which was proceeding tempestuously in Tipperary. Their bail of one thousand pounds each was therefore forfeited. This challenge to the government is said to have caused quite a stir in political circles. Arrest warrants have been issued.

However, the inevitable famine threatens, relentlessly, the poor and desolate population of the Emerald Isle. Winter is approaching, and no measures have been taken to attenuate the frightening miseries that recur every year at this time.

It is well known that England did not want to submit the settlement of the African question to an arbitration tribunal—whose ruling would most likely be unfavourable to it—nor did it want to amend the Anglo-Portuguese treaty in such a way as to satisfy, to some extent, Portugal's material and moral interests. We are calmly awaiting developments in London, because whatever solution the Portuguese government adopts, England will always come out on top. It is true that it is playing a very nasty role in this whole affair, but it couldn't care less.

The English press is preoccupied with the famous McKinley Bill. The Times expresses its irritation with it very strongly. It sees it as a manifestation of hostility, barely less disguised than the decrees issued by Napoleon in Berlin and Milan, and which can only be explained by a desire to inflict the greatest possible damage on British interests.

Germany
The 1873 emergency law against socialists expired on October 1. Some German media outlets, considering the consequences of this new situation, went so far as to lament the absence of Mr. Bismarck, who, in their opinion, had a firmer grip on power.

On the other hand, the socialists, who cannot fail to welcome the benefits that the repeal of the measures taken against them 12 years ago seems likely to bring, are celebrating sincerely as a family. It seems that they will content themselves with these private celebrations, determined as they are to focus all their efforts on means that will help spread their propaganda—which they intend to do through the press.

It is believed that a more liberal regime will begin in Germany, and that the initiative taken by Emperor Wilhelm II will not be useless in calming worker unrest and neutralizing revolutionary propaganda.

German circles are seriously considering the possibility of a European commercial union that would enable them to effectively combat the protectionist policy of the United States.

Italy
At a grand banquet held on October 9 in Florence, Mr. Crispi gave a speech that was eagerly awaited in Europe. Several Italian newspapers say that there was great disappointment, particularly due to the silence that the prime minister felt he had to maintain on the financial issue.

Mr. Crispi, who would have preferred to enjoy a plate of macaroni while contemplating the beautiful sky of Naples rather than having to deliver this speech, found a way to say kind words to France as well as to Germany and Austria. Being on good terms with France while remaining in the Triple Alliance: this is the thinking that sums up Italy's current policy. Mr. Crispi is certainly clever, but it doesn't matter! He will have some difficulty achieving this result. In short, the situation remains unchanged, and it is fair to say that nothing has changed in Europe; it is merely one more speech.

Mr. Crispi was less lucky with Anglo-Egyptian delegates. Applying the practical formula do ut des, he wanted to get as much as possible in return for what he gave—and even for what he did not give. The negotiations in Naples were aimed at dividing up Egyptian Sudan and the Red Sea coast. Possession of Kassala was the stumbling block. Without Kassala, the Italians are confined to Massawa and have no outlet to the interior.

The Italian delegates had also been instructed to demand Kassala unconditionally. But when this point came up for discussion, the English delegates put forward this ineffable argument: “Kassala is part of the Ottoman Empire, and it is not for England to dispose of it.” This respect for the sultan's suzerainty rights was quite unexpected on the part of those who had so readily occupied Egypt.

In any case, Mr. Crispi must fear that this diplomatic failure will have an unfortunate influence on the results of the upcoming legislative elections. One wonders whether, in order to justify the enormous sacrifices imposed on Italy by the occupation of Massawa, he will risk antagonizing England by occupying Kassala without warning.

Russia
There is feverish activity, especially in Moscow, in anticipation of the French Exhibition, to be staged in that city by the Franco-Russian alliance. As proof of the enthusiasm therein, we even go so far as to name Germany: The Crocodile wanting to eat the Slavs and the French. We condemn those who say that it would suffice to throw Alsace and Lorraine to France as bait to distract it from the Russians. We are preparing splendid ovations for the French exhibitors. In short, Moscow's youth is all fired up about France...and vice versa.

United Staes
The McKinley bill has passed through all stages of the legislative process and is now law.

The new tariff came into effect on October 6. Regarding the various amendments introduced by the conference of American consuls in Europe, it is said in well-informed circles that some of these amendments are the result of an agreement between the French government and the US minister in Paris. The French government will have to commit itself to doing everything in its power to persuade the Chambers to lift, or at least modify, the restrictions on imports of American pork. Following a report on this subject sent to Washington, the conference reportedly voted in favour of various changes benefiting French wines and artwork.

But whatever the outcome of the McKinley Bill and its amendments, it is safe to say that it will create a new situation for the commercial and industrial world.

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Francesco Crispi