188 



ITALY. 



ber for a time hesitated, and on June 23d 

 rejected a motion made by Depretis, the new 

 leader of the Lett, to adjourn the discussion 

 of the ministerial bills. But, two days after, 

 the minority was joined by the extreme Right 

 nnder Minghetti, and the request of the minis- 

 tor rejected. The ministers again offered their 

 resignation, which was accepted by the King. 

 The leader of the Right, Minghetti, accepted 

 the task of forming a new ministry. An effort 

 to form, conjointly with Depretis of the Left. 

 a coalition ministry, failed, whereupon several 

 members of the late ministry were prevailed 

 upon to retain their seats in the new one. On 

 July 10th the new ministry was sworn in. 



In the latter part of September, King Victor 

 Emmanuel paid a visit to the courts of Vienna 

 and Berlin, arriving in the former city on 

 September 17th. and in the latter on Septem- 

 ber 21st. In both places he met with an en- 

 thusiastic reception. The visit to Berlin was 

 looked upon as a political demonstration 

 against France, which, by its open sympathy 

 with the tendencies of the Catholic party in 

 Italy and Germany, appeared to assume a 

 threatening attitude. On his return, the Kin;: 

 was received at all the railway-stations through 

 which ho passed with great enthusiasm. A 

 great demonstration was made at Rome, in 

 the Piazza Colonna. The German, Austrian, 

 and Italian national hymns were played, and 

 were received with loud cheers, and frequently 

 redeinanded. 



The new session of the Italian Parliament 

 was opened at Rome, on November 16th, by 

 the King in person. The Princes Ilumlnit 

 and Amadeo and all the diplomatic body were 

 present. In the speech from the throne, the 

 King adverted to the fact that, when opening 

 the Parliament at Rome last session, ho e-pc- 

 riully urged the necessity of devoting attention 

 to tin- internal organization of the state. : i ! 

 he now expressed a hope that this work would 

 be continued in the present session. The King 

 continued : 



Italv has shown that Rome should >>eeonic the 

 capital of tlie kingdom without Involving nn> 

 nution <>f tin- Independence <>!' t!.- 

 tiff in the exercise of hi* spiritual functions, niul in 

 his relations to the Catholic world. But, whi 

 cide<l "th relii'ions feelings nn.l reli(riou 



liberty, we Bhall not permit any violation of the laws 

 and national institutions. 



Referring to foreign Affairs, the King said : 

 I rejoice to assure you that our relations with nil 

 the powers are upon an amicable footing. : 

 (rood relations have been confirmed by the vinit which 

 1 have paid to the Emperor of Austria ami t" th 

 German Emperor. The proofs both of affection nd 

 ympnthy which I rccciv, .1 from tin'*" sovereigns 

 and their people WIT*' nd.lreyr.1 to Itnly, wlr 

 known how to eonqner her rightful pl.vc nmnif the 

 nntk.ns. Austria and Italy have been led to the hnt- 

 tle-flel<l. but, the cause of the long stnieglcbeini.' now 

 dUpolled, henceforth there rcmnins but e'm' 

 In a common interest in tlie advantage* n 

 from an assured friendship. Thisfricn.' 

 dear to me, since it harmonizes with t 

 tiona which more elevated and imperious duty 



bad overpowered, but could not extinguish in my 

 heart. Italy and Germany have both constituted 

 Ives in the name of tin- principle of nation- 

 ality ; they have both been able to entuhli.-h liberal 

 constitutions based upon a monarchy ussoeiut- 

 centuries with the national sorrows as well as the 

 national glories. The relations between the two Gov- 

 ernments are in conformity with the i>rnipatlii< ex- 

 isting between the two peoples, and are a pun- 

 for the maintenance of peace. It is our desirt t 

 in harmony with all nations. Nevertheless. 1 shull 

 firmly guard the rights and dignity of the nation. 



The King then recommended to the con- 

 sideration of Parliament certain bills which 

 would be laid before it. lie dwelt specially 

 upon the pressing necessity of providing for 

 the finances of the country, and gave notice 

 of a bill for regulating the paper currency. In 

 conclusion he said : 



In the peace, which I hope will be a lasting one, 

 and in the order and union existing between the 

 executive powers of the state, it will oe possible to 

 develop free institutions, togcthcrwith civil progress 

 and the welfare of the people. Thus only shall we 

 be able to affirm that we have achieved our task, and 

 with the aid of God insure to our children thcfather- 

 lund in which, amid past trials, we have ever held 

 unshaken fuith. Now as then I have confidence in 

 the nation ; now as then the nation liae confidence in 

 its King. 



In consequence of the absence of a large 

 number of deputies, the Chamber for several 

 days had no quorum. The indignation at this 

 neglect of parliamentary duty caused a motion 

 to be made to declare vacant the seat of nny 

 deputy who, without excuse, was absent t< r 

 five consecutive (lays. The Chanihtr rci'-lcoti-d 

 Biancheri as President by 189 of 228 votes; as 

 Vice-Presidents. Fisanelli, Rcstclli.aml 1'iiroli. 

 were i-li ctrd. The Ionian budget coming up 

 for discussion, Signor Mmu-ini,* in proposing 

 that the Ilor.se should proceed to the order of 

 the day, said that he was favorable to the prin- 

 ciple of international arbitration, and expa- 

 liatid on the great patriotism evinced by Knp- 

 land and America in inaugurating an era of 

 peaceful solutions of national differences. He 

 urged the Italian Government, when <>f 

 mi^ht arise, to propose arbitration, and intro- 

 duce in the stipulations of its treaties a clause 

 referring to arbitrators any question which 

 might occur in the Interpretation or execution 

 of tin- treaty. Signer Bosselli, the report, r 

 of the committee, warmly supported the mo- 

 tion, which was also accepted by Signor Vis- 

 ronti-Vcnosta. The latter declared that Italy 

 had always been ardently in favor of a | 

 policy. Signor Mancini's motion was unani- 

 mously adopted. Replying to a question. 

 nor Visoonti-Venosta said the Italian Govern- 

 ment entertained friendly M-I,I ; HM nts toward 

 Spain, and in tin- matter of recognition of the 

 republic it would observe an attitude similar 

 t.i that adopted by the other powers. ( >i 

 vember 27th the prime-minister, Minghetti, ex- 

 plained the financial condition of the country. 

 The actual deficit of the year 1878 was an- 



President of the newly-etrtabllshed Institute of Inter- 

 national Law. (Sa BELGIUM.) 



