The Express.
London, England, 1862-10-02 00:00:00

Ilion MATER AT LONDON RETDOL

TRY DST %lamina. 8%. 23a.....Altarnnon. 91%. 1061.
To-■O■iow—MornWg, 9a 8 0.....A1450m1011. tOsa.

LONDON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2.

THE French press appears to be as usual com-
pletely at sea with regard to the policy and inten-
tions of the Imperial Government on the Roman
question. Journals that have the reputation of 1
being semi-oeeial hold the most different language
on this subject, and this division in the official
expression of opinion probably represents a real
and serious difference among the members
of the Government, or between them and the'
EMPEROR. While the Frante, the organ of the
most frivolous and bigoted reactionary clique, fills
up its grand outline of an Italian Confederation by
naming the Duke of Aosra., the second son of
Vicroa EMMANUEL, as the Viceroy of the Southern
or Neapolitan Kingdom, the Petrie advocates the
evacuation of Rome and the unity of Italy. The
C'enstibitiolinel indirectly urges the same course,
qualifying, however, its recognition of Italian
rights by a condition to which no Italian patriot
can object, and which in fact only emphuises the
necessity of immediate evacuation. The Italians
are told in the semi-official journal that they
should " confine themselves to sympathising with
" the Romans, and claiming for them the right to
" dispose of their own fate and share in the benefit
"of the principle of non-intervention." The
general tone of these journals is hopeful, and even
confident, with regard to the prospects of the
Italians and the early evacuation of the Holy City.
Feeling strongly that the position of the French
at Rome is utterly untenable, they argue, and are
evidently disposed to believe, that an armed in-
tervention, which is a disgrace to France and •
scandal to Europe, must speedily come to an end.
We heartily wish we could share these antici-
pations. But the grounds on which they rest will
not bear anything like strict scrutiny or close ex-
amio•c;.-... sn far as Mr.
correspondence recently published in the Mani-
ktfr forms almost the sole basis of these more
favourable prognostications. As we have already 1
shown, however, this correspondence proves
nothing, indicates nothing, and is for all pram-
tical purposes absolutely worthless. The letters,
written six months ago, were evidently not ex-
pected to produce any serious result, and they
have no relation whatever to the present state of 1
affairs. Their publication now simply shows that
the EMPEROR finds himself compelled to say some-
thing on a question that deeply concerns the honour
of France, and which all Europe is discussing. It
can only be regarded, however, as a device to gain
time, to distract attention, and, if possible, throw
dust in the eyes of liberal France and enlightened
Europe. If the EMPEROR really intended to act
in an honourable, straightforward manner, nothing
could possibly be simpler than to say so. If the
continued occupation of Rome could be defended
on any grounds that will bear the light, on any
principles of political morality, public justice, or
international law, they might easily be stated.
But instead of a frank statement with regard to
the occupation, or an intelligible reason for its
continuance, we hays only the offic;-' ct" ..‘nia
relating to a visionary 7....stract scheme that
was practically dead and done for six months ago.
There is only one conclusion to be drawn from
these facts, and that is sufficiently obvious. As
the occupation, when indignantly challenged on all
aides, cannot be defended, it is evidently indefen-
sible, and must be continued for ulterior objects
that will not bear the light. The EMPEROR. has
designs that cannot be avowed in the face of
Europe, and so long as the smallest chance of
accomplishing his cherished purpose remains, the
occupation will be persisted in, with or without a
pretext. Nor, though it remains for the present
unconfessed, is there any real doubt or mystery as
to what this purpose is. It is one of the com-
monest and vulgarest in the world—the desire of
illegal gain ; in plain terms, theft and spoliation.
Lows NAPOLION having gained an illegal footing
in Italy, and being strong enough to keep it,
simply requires to be paid off. He remains at
Borne in the hope of being able eventually to
extort from his weaker neighbour a heavy ran-
som as the price of his departure. This rapacious
design has, of course, from time to time been dis-
guised under various, more or less decent
and plausible, pretexts. In these days, nakedly
sordid and selfish motives can hardly be openly
confessed, and designs that are purely violent and
criminal must be as far as possible disguised. The
Imperial spoiler has accordingly from time to time
professed with affecting unction, ardent zeal for
the interests of the Church, and deep concern for
the welfare and protection of the HOLY FATHER.
But time, which, according to the maxim, reveals
all things, has effectively revealed the hollowness
of these professions. The progress of events has de-
stroyed one after another all the pretexts that
have been urged for the occupation of the Holy
City. The real motive is at length laid bare, and
is fast becoming apparent to all the world. It is
the motive that has animated thieves and robbers,
spoilers and extortioners, in all ages. As the man
in possession,the EMPEROR of course talks of having
• duty to discharge at Rome, but he intimates plainly
enough to the heads of the national household that
he may be bought off. And he would cheerfully ,
sacrifice the Church and sell the Fora to-morrow
if he could only get his price. While he 1