But this very amelioration of the condition of the Italian working classes tends to enlarge the range of their necessities and accustoms them to a higher standard of living. This re sults in the institution of co-operative associa tions and leagues for mutual assistance. The Italian proletariat will never consent to a re turn to former conditions of privation, but will insist on still greater material comfort and less labor and a larger share in the nation's wealth. The struggle to secure these things will prob ably be led by the Socialist party, and in the coming conflict the opposing capitalism and conservatism will probably continue to be less compactly organized and less capable of strenu ous resistance than in England and Germany. See :ITALY — FROM 1907 To 1919 for socialist opposition to war in years 1916-17, etc.
The Socialist party faced a severe crisis in 1912. In that year the official party organiza tion opposed the war with Tripoli, but Bissolati and Podrecca, the editor of L'Asino, with two other representatives, openly favored the gov ernmental policy. In consequence they were expelled from the party by its congress. In this crisis 16 deputies out of 38 joined the Re formist party, which has since gained consider ably in membership and parliamentary influence, though it has not grown nearly as fast as the Socialist party.
In 1913 the Reformist party polled 200,000 votes for its candidates, and elected 21 repre sentatives. At the same election the Socialist party received 960,000 votes, and elected 59 representatives. In 1913 this party had a mem bership of 37,000. Of course the struggle be
tween the trade unionists and the Syndicalists in the labor movement had a great influence upon the Socialist party.
Since the first day of the World War the Socialist party has been practically unanimous in opposing participation in the war. As far as the war is concerned the industrial move ment is in full accord with the political move ment. The industrial movement is divided into two distinct groups. The one is the so-called Reformist group; the other, the Syndicalist or ganizations. Each of these groups possesses its own central organization. The Confeder azione Generale del Lavoro is the older fed eration. It indorses the war-position of the Socialist party, while the Unione Syndicale con dolnns all political action and sees in the general strike the chief weapon of the working-class. This organization is patterned after the French General Confederation of Labor.
In WY 191.6: in the Ministerial reorganiza tick the Reformist party succeeded in placing Bissolatl and three other members in the Cabi-1 net where they were the most ardent support ers..of Italian intervention.
The Socialist party has 'representatiOn in nearly every municipal government. In 19i7 about 800 towns and cities had Socialist ad rnialstrations. According to the reports of party ' officials in 1917, the membership had risen to 64,000 in good standing, besides at least 25,000 former members at the front, who also are regarded as members in good standing. The strength of the Socialist party is at present by far greater than that of any single capitalist party. ED.