The Press.
London, England, 1856-05-31 00:00:00

THE PRESS,

The situation of Austria in Germany is not
strengthened by the treaty of the 15th of April.
Tile house of Hapsburg is losing by degrees
every hold upon German sympathies. It is no
secret that a project is entertained of further me-
diatising the petty princes of Germany. To this
both Austria and Prussia are inimical, unless the
latter be largely compensated. Should Central
Germany really be united, which is most unlikely,
the secondary States, hitherto hotbeds proper for
Prussian, Austrian, and Russian intrigue, would
shake off their tributary position, and attempt to
assume an independent attitude. Even then it
would only be in appearance, for corruption has can-
kered their very heart's core. The influence of
States external to the Confederation would be neces
sary to keep together the uneven bundle, and lead, as
of yore, to diplomatic chicanery and eventual
discord.

The law forced upon the Prussian Chambers by a
packed majority of the " parti de la Croix," is still
the subject of popular discussion. An article, pub-
lished by authority in the Nouvelle Gazette de Prusse,
seeing that the question of the Rhenish provinces
has received the royal sanction, forbids as disloyal
any further remonstrance. Were this political
maxim to be held authentic, there would be no
means of rescinding improper measures of legisla-
tion, except by a process similar to that of cutting
the Gordian knot. The Cologne Gazette takes um-
brage at this dictation of the ouvelle Gazette,
perseveres in its criticism of the unpopular act,
and prominently sets forth the patriotic conduct of
the Prince Royal of Prussia. It states that the
Prince was commanded to attend the Council of
Ministers, that he there protested against the "dis-
positions essentielles " to rescind the Rhenish privi-
leges, and voted for its being again sent back for the
consideration of the provincial States. With this
open opposition of the Prince the question cannot be
shelved nor judged to be beyond the power of reform ;
and the Cologne Gazette adds that the Rhenish
towns and provinces view with undisguised satisfac-
tion this open manifestation of the Prince against
Ministerial ordinances subversive of the Rhineland
liberties. His son, Prinoe Frederick William, now
in England, is said to entertain the same political
opinions. _ _ _

The Emperor of Russia has arrived at Warsaw.
Great rejoicings, public and private, marked his
ontrance to the capital of Poland. Whatever may
have been the past errors of the house of Romanotf,
it would seem that they were capable of being oblite-
rated by prudence and foresight. It must be remem-
bered that Polish patriots are divided into two classes,
constitutional and republican. With the first a
clement rule may have an effect that will necessarily
fail with republican austerity. The latter will con-
tinue to regret summarily any proposition short of
their cherished prototype of celestial harmony, for-
getful always that angelic republicanism led to
l'aradise lost. There is no Paradise regained for
the future of a republican Poland. A hope exists
that a general amnesty may be accorded, with other
relaxations of severity, that the universities may be
re-established with the permission of lectures in the
Polish language, and that there may be raised a
Polish guard of 8,000 men. The reception of the
foreign ambassadors is expected to be most brilliant.
Prince Lichstentein will be the representative of
Austria ; the Marquis Alfieri, " clarum et insigne
nornen " of Sardinia ; and Monsignor Mantemir is
the delegate of Rome. This latter is an agent of
" large principles," in the R. sense, in the confi-
dence of Cardinal Antonelli.
Italy continues to be the political embarrassment.
It is right to correct the contradiction of the Austrian
Gazette in its assertion that there is no augmentation
of Austrian troops in the Duchy of Parma. " Corps
mobiles" have been traversing the country in every
direction, particularly in the vicinity of the Sar-
dinian frontier; and under the plea of only relieving
garrisons, the troops marching from place to place
give an increase of fully one-third to the original
number. Count Stackelberg has expressed himself
well pleased with his reception at Turin, and
friendlier relations are on the eve of being formed
between the Prussian and Sardinian Governments. A
dislike of Austria is the common bond of union. Gene-
ral Cialdini, a young officer, formerly distinguished in
the Austrian campaign, and again in the Crimea, has
been made aide-de-camp to the King. The
nomination has been very popular. Nothing could
be more rertinent than the questions on Italian
affairs put by Mr. Disraeli in the House of Com-
mons. It is necessary to know what are the real in
tentions of England ; for that portion of the press
which is under Ministerial control, and other
journals that are supporters of the Ministry, have
used a language proper to lead to the supposition
that a general insurrection in Italy would be re
garded with favour. 'lbis has been Ministerially
denied, and yet the journals persist in the same
course of conduct. The present of Italy is plain—
the future is uncertain. Foreign troops, and only
foreign troops, can preserve the existing state of

mole

SATURDAY,

things. Let those battalions be withdrawn and
revolution follows instantly. Then come they ques.
tions—is the occupation of Italy by French and
German auxiliaries to be permanent; and, in the
event of their being recalled, what nieasures are to
be taken to prevent a general uprising ?
The remonstrance of France and Austria, privately
but officially communicated to the Roman Govern-
ment, has been contumaciously received, and the
members of the Sacred College threaten to retreat
again to Gaeta. Let them go. The difficulty would
then be facile of solution. In that case Cardinal
Viale Prela, the promoter of the Austrian Concoidat,
would come to Rome. Of this Cardinal Antonelli is
well assured, and therefore to preserve power opposes
the summer trip to Gaeta. Any reform in Italy is
incompatible with the existence of the Cardinal as
Minister of Rome. Incensed at foreign interference,
he threatens, should it be continued, to institute a
reform that, after Italy, shall shake France and then
Europe to the very centre. He was present at the
dinner given to the Grand Duke of Tuscany and
Count Frapani in the Quirinal, and his dark counte-
nance, although sometimes arrayed in smiles,
evidenced the inward dissatisfaction at the failure of
the Tuscan Concordat.

The King of Naples is increasing the number of
his Swiss regiments, in order that they may be ready
to supply the place of the French regiments when
they leave Borne. But the Swiss have uncondition-
ally refused to quit Naples when that time may
arrive. They receive their pay to garrison Naples.
They like the climate—approve the "lachrymte
Christi"—indulge in the extravagance of a cold salt-
water bath twice in the year—and decline to change
their quarters on the score of bargain, comfort, and
cleanliness. Baron Brenier, the French Minister, is
said to have acquired a larger share of influence
with the King than formerly, and to have modified
his barbarity, but there is no symptom of change in
the treatment of Poerio and other political offenders.
The moderate republicans have adopted the advice of
Manin of Venice, in adhering to the constitutional
Government of Sardinia as the pioneer establishment
of Italian regeneration. The partisans of Maexini
remain intractable. Nothing but blood and commu-
nism will satiate their passion for liberty. They are
the real difficulty of Italy, and constitute the strength
of Borne and Austria in the course of tyranny and
misgovernment. C. A. H.

foreign anb dothnial clnittligtnte.

FRANCE.

The Emperor, accompanied by the Archduke
Maximilian of Austria, and Prince Oscar of Sweden,
reviewed on Tuesday in the Champs de 'lifers
the troops of the garrison and army of Paris. The
Empress attended the review in an open carriage.
She was enthusiastically cheered by the people.
The Moniteur has officially announced that the
Baron de Bazancourt's work has no official charac•
ter. "M. de Bazancouit," the statement adds, "has
written his book according to his own views, and he
alone is responsible for the facts and opinions con-
tained therein."

The trial of Lejolivet, for bribing an employe of
the State Printing-office to purloin copies of the
Treaty of Peace, is fixed for early in June.
Prince Dolgorouki, it is anticipated, will not re-
ceive the appointment of Russian Ambassador at
Paris. The French connections of the Prince by
marriage are pure Legitimists. Baron de Bour-
queney and Count Morny leave Paris very shortly on
their respective missions. The Senate, it is ru-
moured, will one day next week pass a resolution on
the subject of the Regency. It is asserted that the
" initiative " the senators are instructed to take, is in
favour of the Empress and against the hopes of the
Palais Royal.

1

AUSTRIA.
The Austrian Government has published, in its
most official organ, the Vienna Gazette, a statement
of the character and objects of the treaty concluded
April 15th between Austria, France, and England.
The Vienna Gazette justifies the signature and con-
ditions of the treaty of 15th of April ccncluded be-
tween France, England, and Austria. The official
journal grounds its remarks-Ist, on the fact that
Russia would not, either at the time of the Confer•
ences of Vienna or afterwards, give any express
guarantee in favour of the integrity of Turkey; and
2naly, that Prussia has always declared that she
would preuerve her freedom of action. The Vienna
Gazette adds that the treaty of the 15th of April
does not contain any secret article, in no way attacks
the relations now existing between the Germanio
Confederation and Prussia, and does not prevent the
amicable relations ce Russia with her neighbours.
The day after the above appeared a seeond "offi-
cial " article upon the Italian question was printed in
the Oesterreichische Correspondenz. Alluding to the
report of the desire of Austria to guarantee her
Italian provinces, the article denies that. Prussia wag
ever solicited, and states :

II.'"

MAY 31, 1856.

Austria, which in the most trying and dangerous times
of external and internal confusion found means to retain
possession of perfectly Ilian Cown lands, has the conscious-
n
esti of being well. able to defend both her terri-
tory and the position which is hers by right of treaty
against any attack. The power of Austria is based on her
internal strength and on European treaties, which are
recognised and respected by all the powers. As to the
polic
cqu y o
ired f the Rust
trian empire, it is based on a respect for
all a ri.
True to its " principle "—regard for the independence of
all sovereignties—the Imperial Royal Government can
never recognise the right which is claimed by the Sardinian
Court to speak in the name of Italy. Although regarding
things from a point of view entirely different, we cannot
but agree with the opinion expressed by that Minister, that
duties,n the
there eption
is an of international relations, rights, and
impassable gulf between Austria and the
present Sardinian Cabinet.
Wherever Austria has intervened in Italy she has done
so in the most disinterested manner; she has intervened
at the request of the different sovereigns ; and, as soon as
one or other of them has declared his ability to maintain
public peace and order without foreign assistance, the Im-
perial forces have been withdrawn from his territories.
Prudent and judicious reforms, freely emanating from the
respective sovereigns, may conduce to the wished-for peace
and quiet of the Italian States; and the Imperial Govern-
ment has never failed to give its advice in that direction,
though always with that consideration which is due to the
dignity and independence of foreign States.
Austria is ready to give her approval to all advantageous
changes which may emanate from the free and enlightened
will of the ludian Governments, and she wishes nothing
more earnestly than that the time may soon come when
the Italian Sovereigns, to whom she has afforded her dia.
interested support against the revolution and its agents,
may be able to dispense with the assistance of the Austrian
troops; but she will firmly repel any unjustifiable attack
which may be made on those Italian States that are allied
to her, and will do all in her power to counteract the ma-
chinations of the anarchists, and to prevent revolutionary
agitation.
The brilliant reception the Archduke Ferdinand
has met with at Paris is said to give considerable
satisfaction to tt:e Court of Vienna. The Archduke,
it is rumoured, is the bearer of the expressed wish
of the Emperor Francis Joseph to meet the French
Emperor. Munich is mentioned as the city where
the interview will take place in the autumn.
A new Austrian loan is rumoured on 'Change at
Vienna.