Naples, March 1957. Should the Federal Republic of the Sicilies join the European Common Market? It's a question all Sicilians are asking themselves. The representatives of France, Germany and the other northern European nations along with the Italian Federation are meeting in Rome to pledge themselves to cooperation in hopes of avoiding another conflagration. But what has this do with us? Will we be better off?
As the head of the government accounting office, I advise against it. Since the failed attempt of the northerners to topple our monarchy and annex us a hundred years ago, the directions of the two countries have widely diverged. New uses have been found for our abundant and cheap to produce sulfur. Our merchant fleet has dominated Mediterranean trade and middle-eastern trade since we used our substantial cash reserves to outbid the British for the shares of in the Suez Canal offered by Isma'il Pasha in 1875. Today Sicilianese are in every port from here to Yokohama.
They talk about German engineers but our tradition is as distinguished, going back to the industrial complex at Pietrarsa where the first Italian cars were built, now popular around the world. The iron works in Calabria produced weapons as fine as the Krupps themselves. Silk and wool production in Basilicata lead to the establishment of a luxury fashion industry that has become the benchmark for all others. Our pasta is on the plates of the most discerning everywhere. Our fine educational system is pervaded by the spirit of Salerno and produces world-class scholars and engineers. Our music is sung worldwide.
Like the Scandinavians, we sat out the first war, though when the Italian regime collapsed in the second, we were occupied after our soldiers were overcome after hard fighting. When liberation came, we were more ready than any of the other countries to rebuild. We have pride, and a history of accomplishment. Why do we need the northerners? We can go it alone.
The northern resentment of our Sicilian success is clear in that recently published bitter alternative history book in which the annexation succeed, the resistance was suppressed, the land impoverished by cheap agricultural imports and millions of our people driven to emigrate to places where they could and did make a difference, Argentina and the United States. A despised and corrupt extremity, the butt of all northern jokes. As it it, the Italians have to depend on the graciousness of Europe for their well-being. We are able to look further afield.
So, I recommend the FRS not join this new circular pledge of desperate nations to stop themselves from ever fighting again. We have better things to do. The American market is opening and we have a lot on our plate with the conflicts in the southwest Mediterranean that threaten our lifeline to the Far Eastern markets. Our country needs to keep its money at home and spend it on improving our infrastructure, and not send it to the impoverished north.
So, with respect to your opinions, Mr Prime Minister, I urge you to refrain from signing and linking our fate to that of the northerners. Yours, Niccolo Antonio Zingarelli.
As the head of the government accounting office, I advise against it. Since the failed attempt of the northerners to topple our monarchy and annex us a hundred years ago, the directions of the two countries have widely diverged. New uses have been found for our abundant and cheap to produce sulfur. Our merchant fleet has dominated Mediterranean trade and middle-eastern trade since we used our substantial cash reserves to outbid the British for the shares of in the Suez Canal offered by Isma'il Pasha in 1875. Today Sicilianese are in every port from here to Yokohama.
They talk about German engineers but our tradition is as distinguished, going back to the industrial complex at Pietrarsa where the first Italian cars were built, now popular around the world. The iron works in Calabria produced weapons as fine as the Krupps themselves. Silk and wool production in Basilicata lead to the establishment of a luxury fashion industry that has become the benchmark for all others. Our pasta is on the plates of the most discerning everywhere. Our fine educational system is pervaded by the spirit of Salerno and produces world-class scholars and engineers. Our music is sung worldwide.
Like the Scandinavians, we sat out the first war, though when the Italian regime collapsed in the second, we were occupied after our soldiers were overcome after hard fighting. When liberation came, we were more ready than any of the other countries to rebuild. We have pride, and a history of accomplishment. Why do we need the northerners? We can go it alone.
The northern resentment of our Sicilian success is clear in that recently published bitter alternative history book in which the annexation succeed, the resistance was suppressed, the land impoverished by cheap agricultural imports and millions of our people driven to emigrate to places where they could and did make a difference, Argentina and the United States. A despised and corrupt extremity, the butt of all northern jokes. As it it, the Italians have to depend on the graciousness of Europe for their well-being. We are able to look further afield.
So, I recommend the FRS not join this new circular pledge of desperate nations to stop themselves from ever fighting again. We have better things to do. The American market is opening and we have a lot on our plate with the conflicts in the southwest Mediterranean that threaten our lifeline to the Far Eastern markets. Our country needs to keep its money at home and spend it on improving our infrastructure, and not send it to the impoverished north.
So, with respect to your opinions, Mr Prime Minister, I urge you to refrain from signing and linking our fate to that of the northerners. Yours, Niccolo Antonio Zingarelli.
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