BOSELLI, Paolo, Italian statesman, his torian and economist: b. Savona, 18 June 18313.
At 22 he had graduated, taken his LL.D. degree at the University of Turin, and begun his literary career on the Italia Letterarsa, then recently founded and edited by Angelo de Gubernatis. His style was of a nervous yet flexible and vigorous quality, with a terse and deliberate conception accompanied by an in nate faculty for grasping intricate problems and presenting them concisely to the reader. After a few years of this experience he entered the civil service, and in 1867 acted as secretary general for the Italian section at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Even before he was first elected to Parliament —in 1870—by his native town he had been appointed a member of the Permanent Committee of Finance. He quickly gave evidence of a masterly compre hension of those subjects primarily within the scope of government, such as finance, agri culture, education, shipping, taxation, commer cial treaties, etc. He published numerous works on these subjects, contributed important speeches in the Chamber of Deputies, and labored earnestly to improve the condition of the working classes. Born in a seaport town, he had early realized the immense value of shipping to an industrial community. It was mainly due to his efforts that a mercantile marine board was created, of which he was made president in 1881. During his tenure of this office he was specially active in negotiating commercial and navigation treaties with other countries. Premier Crispi sent him to Paris as a confidential agent to treat directly with M. Bouvier, the French Premier. The fol lowing extract from a letter written by Signor Boselli in Paris to his chief in Rome during the first week of September 1887 is not without interest 30 years after the event. He informs Crispi that Bouvier <'declares that the under standing between France and Russia concern ing the Egyptian question gave rise to the supposition that the relations between the two countries were more intimate than is really the case, for no written contract exists be tween them, whereas something in writing does H exist between Germany and Italy. is aware that our understanding with Germany concerns only a war of defence on the part of Germany, a war, he adds, which will never take place, for France will not open hostilities against Germany. (These words must, of
course, be taken simply for what they are worth). The party, so-called, of revanche, and of war against Germany, represents, so Rouvier says, but a very small minority in France; and as for Italy, no Frenchmen, or at least very few, either wish for war with her or would seek to bring it about.' From 1888 to 1891 Signor Boselli was Minister of Instruction— his first cabinet post. Two years later he became Minister of Agri culture, and subsequently Minister of Finance, which office he held until 1896, and for a second time from 1899 to 1900. Side by side with his political activities he pursued the studies of his early literary career and for a time he occupied the chair of financial science in the University of Rome. For some years prior to the European War Signor Boselli had taken no prominent part in the Chamber de bates. In January 1916 King Victor Emman uel conferred a signal mark of confidence and favor upon him by bestowing the Collar of the Annunziata, which •carries with it the title of "Cousin of the King' In June 1916 the Sa landra Cabinet fell; by a direct vote of con fidence the government were defeated by 197 to 158, the adverse majority being composed of Giolittians, Radicals, Official Socialists, Conservatives, Republicans and the so-called Interventionist Socialists. Premier Salandra resigned with his cabinet on 12 June, and Signor Boselli was called to the helm of the state within two days of. his 78th birthday. He quickly formed a strong coalition cabinet and justified the confidence reposed in his moderating influence to hold together a heterogeneous ministry. His retention of Baron Sonnino at the Foreign Office was highly satisfactory to the Allies. After having been already at war with Austria for 15 months, Italy declared war on Germany two months after the accession of the Boselli Cabinet.
Cabinet.
The great Austro-German drive against Italy in October 1917 had the effect of produc ing a ministerial crisis. A vote of confidence was defeated in the Italian Chamber of Deputies by 314 to 96 on 25 October. Signor Boselli resigned with his cabinet and was suc ceeded by Signor Orlando. See ITALY.