Roman Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 7, 14 November 1890, Page 3

Roman Notes.

It is asserted that the trouble in Malta had its origin in intrigues promoted secretly by Signor Crispi, for the purpose of stirring up in the island an agitation in favour of union with Italy rather than with England. The Maltese, however, are too good Catholics to become very ardent in their desire to be subjected to a Government notably at war against their Church, and which would imDose severe restrictions on their religion. Some distrust towards England they doubtless entertain as a Protestant power, who, if possible, would gladly weaken their allegiance to Borne— and whom, indeed, they accuse of indirectly attempting to do bo. Having, nevertheless, nothing directly to fear from her, they prefer her rule to that of Italy. An Irredentist propaganda, therefore, as matters are at present, has little chance of succeeding among them. But, apart from any such motive as that alluded to, the personal character of Sir John Lintorn Simmonp, with whom as a former Governor of their island they were acquainted, and whom they distrusted and disliked , was in itself calculated to excite their alarfh. A letter from the Holy Father to the Bishop of Malta has allayed the excitement and strengthened the Bishop's hands in recalling hi* people to their duty and putting them on their guard against evil men, whose object it waß, on the pretence of asserting the rights of religion and patriotism, to work out irreligious ends.

It seems in some degree inconsistent with the accusations brought against Signor Crispi of attempting to promote Irreden ism in Malta that be haß recently made a raid in Borne on the clubs that, under the names of Oberdai.k and Barsunti, work for the accomplishment of Irredentist objects. Ten of these clubs were surpused by the police, whose search resulted in bringing to light, among the rest, a quantity of explosive bombs, ready to b 3 used at a moment's notice and capable of deadly execution. In revolutionary circles extreme indignation is expressed against Signor Crißpi, whom they especially denounce aB having himself been au ardent member of

their body. Patriots of the Orispi stamp, however, are generally guided by what moßt nearly concerns their ewn personal interests. To understand the apparently inconsistent action of such men, it is necessary to know all their concerns— private aa well as public.

The iron Hne that closes round tbf Vatican becomes more narrow every day. It has now been exnlained by the Government organs, referring to a dispute as to the right of the muai.ipaltty to iatrude upon t c precincts of the palace in carrying out s >ra » work, that the Law of Gu irnnt es, properiy interpreted, cl urns the Va'ioan a<; owned not by the Holy S c but by I aly. No biig m ire c eirly than this shown the Pope's p isition, proving him to be in the p >wer of men who are gui.led by nothing more jus or honest than exp diency, nnd who are prepared to deal with him and everything relating to the office he filli as it serves their own interests.

It has been arranged that the King wis to visit the port of Boezia for th^ purp »se of witnessing the launching of a new man-of-war. A warning, however, that the occasion would be taken advantage of by the Fie^ch fhet in tbe Mediterranean also to visit the port caused his Maj,-sty to change his intention. The Government is haunted by the fear of a French attack, and shrink from giving the anticipated enemy any advantage by which they might profit for futnre needs. An inspection of the fortress in ques ion, therefore, is especially dreaded by them. The nature of the withdrawal of King Humbert from his project has been perfectly understood in France, where it has not served to make feeling towards Italy more cordial.

A series of riots has taken, place in Rome, as the result of an election displeasing to the mob. The successful candidate was Count Antonelli, a nephew of the late Cardinal of that name, and who, as an African explorer had deserved the gratitude of the Government by services rendered in negotiating with the King of Abyssinia. There were two d feated candidates, Ricciotti G.ribaldi, who had recently lesigned, and a Sigaor B^rziUri, a native of Trkst, who, having atone time serve i a short 89ntence in aa Austrian prison had become a popular bero. The Government were determined on the election of Antonelli, and worked heaven and earth, it is said without much scruple, to bring it about. The consequence was th<» riot spuken of — in which a good many sh >p- windows and other fragile articles have come to grief. Nothing very serious has resulted, but the temper of the mob has been shoirn— but, after all, the mob of a bankrupt city, where want and misery are now rHmp«nt and likely to increase, as even the most ardent admirers of United Italy admit, as they are in Rome, must be expected to be rather short of temper. Viewed in such a light, moreover, those bombs found in the Oberdank and Barsanti clubs have a particular significance.

Italy has been visited by & violent storm, which did a great deal of damage in many of the towns and villages. It was especially severe at Cortona near Florence, where, besides numerous houses, some of the churches were ruined. Near Siena a train was swept off the line, many of the passeagers being seriously injured.

The officers of an Austrian man-of-war who have visited Rome, have given grave offence to the Government by S'ekmg an audience of the Holy Father without taking any notice of the p >wers that a j ser themselves The galUnt sai or^ are to bo congratulated on i heir maalv reverence f.ir religioo, and the fearless manner in which they did their duty.

The establishment by a French bishop of a sneety. which, unde the title of tbe Serviteura de Sdi it-Pieire, should have for their end the restor ition of the Temp >ral Pow r, has ciuseii some sensnti >n. Ih- Government organs express a confidence th-tt, undr r no circumstances, could the French Kuoublic be induced to lend its hid to a. y t-uch undertaking. Tney, nevettbeless, b tray that they enti it nn some doubt on the subject by proposing that all bishops aud evrit who follow the evil example shall be deprived of iheir emolumeii s. In re urn for ihis they propose that Icaly should rL-liuqui-h all claim to French territory, such as Cjnnca and Nice, now incu led in tbe Irredentist plans. But were there no fear lest the Republic should effectually countenance the project in question, Buch aa offer would never be thought of. Notwithstanding all the boasts of the Italian Government, they evidently look upon the Koman question as still far from being setled. Their doubts become all the more striking when they are expressed in relation even to a Government from whom so little sympathy for the Holy See might be expected as from that of the French Republic.

The latest robbery reported is that of the valuables presented as votive offerings to a miraculous picture of the Madonna ia the church of Santa Maria della Pieta. These were removed some time ago by the Government under the pretence of safe-keeping. The centenary of a confraternity attached to the church has lately been celebiated, and in connection with it a request was made that tie valuables in question sboul .be restored for tbe occasion. Tbe request was, however refused, the explanation of course being that the articles had been confiscated to the benefit of the powers that be. So the course of justice proceeds at Home, the plunder and ill-treatment of religion being incessant and unblushing.

A handsome church built at Carpineto and dedicated to St. Leo by the Holy Father, has recently been completed. T is, however, is not the only gift which the Popo has bestowed upon his native place. Two other churches have been rebuilt there by him ; a high sc 00l for girls has been erected and endowed ; a n f age for old people has been opened, and an observatory established. The town in short has been suitably enriched with monumen s of the piety, chanty, and learning, which distinguish its illustrious sou.

The improved legislation of the period is to embrace an Act for the facilitating of divorce. The Premier and his worthy colleague

Z&nardelli are at present engaged in drawing up the Bill. Signor Orispi, however, who has managed so well to dispense wi<h the law, will t ardly now avail himself of it. His kindly consideration, therefore, for others, less brazen or less ingenious than himaelf , mty be the more admired.

A meeting of the municipal authorities and citizens of Bologua has called attention to tbo miserable condition of the country, and the apparent indifference of the Government to the pressing need. Meantime the state of Rome, with its streets of modern ruins, or uncompleted buildings, and unoccupied bouses, is notorious throughout Europe. The suffering of Italy under the new condition of things has been great and general, and bb yet there is no promiseof amendment. On the contrary everything points to a likelihood of worse to come.