DEATH OF SIGNOR FORTIS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 746, 19 February 1910, Page 15

DEATH OF SIGNOR FORTIS.

STATESMAN OF YOUNG ITALY. Signor - Alessandro .'Fbrtisi- statesman,, orator, and .parliamentarian; whose death' took place in Rome early, in December, was in' many ways typical of the political life,of Young-Italy. , Born- in:';' 1842 -of parents of easy circumstances, , he'grew, up.-in '.'the" atmosphere' of hope-.and.on-thusiasm that' pervaded Italy during the' period - of unification. vHe . foughtat Mentana -with. Garibaldi;. and joined the Republican party under Aurolio VSaffi, who dreamed of a United Italy without a Monarchy. Together -with Saffi and others, Signor -Fortis was arrested -by the Government of the day under Minghetti at tho Villa Ruffi, and remained for some little, time in prison. He afterwards entered Parliament,. where his' brilliant abilities' and persuasive eloquence ; made him a power; but little by.little'he ceased to be a : follower ,of-Mazzini, and'accepted tho.. ideals of 'constitutional; Monarchy, an apostacy that the party; which he deserted'found it difficult to. forgive. >

In 1888; lie became Undor-Secretary of State in the first Ministry, of Crispi, who himself was also an, old conspirator and Mazzinian. : Tho Ministry. fell - iii . 1891, and though tho position and-influence of Fortis in, tho Camera would have entitled hira to further Ministerial posts,; ho contented himself with' being ieauer' ot the majority that, supported Crispi, and: of tho Opposition to.tho Governments that: followed him.: The . zonith , .of; ' Signor 1 Fortis's' parliamentary"career: was when, after thb fall of the last Giolitti Cabinet, ho formfed. tho new Administration, and as Premier ,rubbed shouldors with his former gaolers,. and was reminded, by one of the carabiniers who arrested him that he had promised to give the carabinier promotion when ho became' Prime Minster of the Italian Republic. Though it was ■under-tho Monarchy that Signor Tortis reached tho high distinction, ho.did not forget his promise; -- It was said.;* -that Signor Fortis was given the position .of Vromier onlv to keep the place' warm for Signor Giolitti, when ho wished ,to return to power, and, in fact, when Fortis tried: to form a. fresh .Cabinet,'in which the Marmiis di' San Giuliano, now Ambassador'in London, was Minister for Foreign Affairs, it lasted" only tjventy days, and Baron Sonnino, who replaced Fortis,' was only in power for three months, when Signor Giolitti; returned, and lias hold tlio reins over since. Fortis's greatest gift, was his really, marvellous eloquence in extempore Bpeecli, the last examplo.of which was in December, 1908, when; ho moved the onttre; Houso with an impassioned appeal, urging expenditure for armaments,: in. order'tobe. prepared for;war with Austria. '