The Herald of Peace quotes some official statistics about one
of the most extraordinary and least noticed movements now going on in the world. We have repeatedly called attention to the ever-increasing volume of Italian emigration, especially from the old Neapolitan Provinces ; but even we hardly remembered that in 1883 the emigration had risen to 169,000, and that it is rising by 10,000 or 15,000 a year. Of this outpouring, more than half reaches South America, where it is believed more than 750,000 Italians are now settled in the Valley of the Plate alone, towards whose schools the Roman Govern- ment, with a wise foresight, contributes 250,000 a year. These statements are strongly confirmed by Sir Horace Rumbold, who in his work on the Silver River, published this week, describes Buenos Ayres as filled with Italians, who, though perfectly orderly and peaceable, every now and then manifest in some gathering or festival their overwhelming strength. It is by no means impossible that the States of the Plate may become, without violence, by the natural operation of emigration and a full birth-rate, Italian Colonies. Political power as yet, how- ever, he says, still remains in the hands of the Spaniards.
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