Italy’s Misfortunes and the Papacy
The Church of Rome is making the most of the popular discontent in Italy. It is probable that the United Kingdom is the worst bankrupt of any country in Europe. Over 200,000 Italians left their own country last year to find work in South America, Mexico, and the United States, and additional numbers will be driven away this year by increased taxation. Referring to this state of affairs, a Catholic paper says:— "The national debt is in proportion to revenue three times that of Germany, and, instead of decreasing, threatens to pass further bounds. Still M. Crispi talks of new taxes, and continues to mimic Bismarck, while the people run away at the rate of two millions a decade. Catholic supporters of the Pope do not rejoice in Italy's misfortunes, for Italy is Catholic, and it is the most destitute and unfortunate Italians who suffer from Crispi's mismanagement and corruption." In the eyes of all Catholics, this condition of affairs is due to the fact that the city of Rome is ruled by the king of Italy instead of by the Pope.