The Shadow of Great Britain Chapter 998: 58: Changing Italy's Destiny

Chapter 998: Chapter 58: Changing Italy’s Destiny

Honored Excellency:

During my travels in Italy with my friend Sir Arthur Hastings, I expected to bask under the gentle sun of the diterranean, reminiscing about the civilization of Ro a thousand years ago amidst the warm welco of the Two Sicilies people. However, at this very mont, what I see is not civilization, but the most barbaric, brutal, and darkest acts.

I truly do not know what emotions to face the trial case I witnessed yesterday at the Naples Court. Although this case seed insignificant at first, it has grown increasingly serious, accompanied by distressing and disgraceful circumstances. I believe it is my responsibility to bring this matter to your attention, not only for those who have beco victims but also for the common cause of justice and humanitarianism.

The specifics are as follows. Currently, about fifty to sixty locals of Naples City and the region are awaiting trial in the capital of the Two Sicilies Kingdom. The governnt has brought various charges against them and so others who have already been tried, with their cris involving the highest-grade offenses included in the national laws.

These charges, or so-called charges, are difficult to describe accurately because the entire trial process is shrouded in darkness. But according to vague statents we heard from local residents, the main accusations seem to be incitent, conspiracy, and treason, and the local governnt provides evidence to substantiate these charges that is contradictory and unconvincing.

We need not delve into the authenticity of these charges, nor must we demonstrate the doubts soone might face when such accusations are made. No normal person can imagine that fifty or sixty people, who previously had no contact with each other, most living in the most ordinary living conditions, would suddenly co up with a conspiracy to overthrow the governnt. Perhaps they have a motive to do so, but no matter how imperfect the governnt of Naples is, no country on the European Continent can maintain general societal order more than it does.

However, regardless of the likelihood of the case, what I hope to draw your attention to is the nature of the trial itself.

The defendants have been affected by a system in the state prison that I can only describe as torture. They have undergone the most brutal interrogations designed by humans, and the authorities have done so solely to break their spirit and health. They have been deprived of all interactions with friends and relatives, isolated in darkness, and forced to engage in the heaviest labor for minimal food.

They have been handed over to so prison guards, who are a disgrace to humanity, products of a barbaric and inhumane system, and have implented oppressive asures even more cruel than the orders of their superiors. After these political prisoners confessed, what awaits them is not only lifelong labor, exile, or hanging, but no rational person can imagine that the rulers of this country would order political prisoners to be packed into a cannon and shot into the sea!

Excellency, I do not wish to use exaggerated language on this issue. Nor do I want to harbor prejudice against the Naples governnt or incite any hostility towards it. But I feel obligated to expose the atrocities they have committed under its protection to humanity and to call upon all who respect the principles of justice and humanitarianism to raise their voices to protest these atrocities.

rely condemning the actions of the Naples governnt is not enough; we must take steps to prevent them from happening again. We must inform the rulers of that country that Europe’s eyes are upon them; they cannot oppress and persecute their people at any cost; they must abide by the laws of humanitarianism and justice, or they must be held accountable for their actions.

I trust that Your Excellency will not consider impertinent on this matter. I know that you have always been an enthusiastic supporter of the causes of freedom and justice, and I believe you will not refuse to lend your strong support to these unfortunate victims of tyranny and oppression.

— William Gladstone, 1851 “On the Persecution of Political Prisoners by the Naples Governnt to Earl of Aberdeen, the Pri Minister”

“The Tis” Editor John Delane: “Not long ago, Mr. William Gladstone, the forr Chairman of the Trade Commission, boldly exposed the actions of the Two Sicilies Kingdom in mutilating and mistreating political prisoners through his two letters, which not only stirred up a huge uproar in the entire society but also aroused the public indignation of all British citizens. We note that you were among those who accompanied Mr. Gladstone during his visit to Naples at the ti. How do you view this issue?”

Sir Arthur Hastings: “Since I t William twenty years ago, he has always had this temperant of abhorring evil. Before stepping into politics, he had been devoted to saving destitute won at ho and made every effort to help them return to a normal life, back to the embrace of the Lord and God. William’s accusations against the brutality of the Two Sicilies Kingdom Bourbon governnt are entirely due to his upright and righteous nature.

And this is not just his voice alone, but the voice of all people. The actions of the Two Sicilies Kingdom governnt have entirely placed themselves in opposition to human society. They can seal the mouths of the dostic populace with cannonballs, obscure the eyes of the foreign populace with eloquent deceit, but they cannot deceive the people’s William. I believe that Parliant and the Governnt will surely handle this matter properly.”