The Press.
London, England, 1856-07-26 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1858.
UNST STAMPED .-. SIXPENCE.
AMPED-FIVEPENCE.

sula. It was intended that the Treaty should '
be kept secret ; but the discovery of its ex•
istence by the Russian Court compelled its
publication. The Government of Sardinia
was not deceived as to the difficult position in
which it was placed by this Treaty. It had
hoped, as the price of the great services it had
rendered to the Allies in the war, to be sup-
ported against Austria when Italian affairs
were discussed. By the Treaty of the 15th of
April, it saw Austria closely afflict with
France and England for the regulation of
European politics. It had hoped to emerge
from its position as a minor Power,
and to be recognised as the natural
leader and guardian of Italian interests. By
the Treaty, it found its position weaker, more
indefensible, and more isolated than it had
been previously. Internally it was agitated
and urged forward by the revolutionary party;
and externally it was confronted by Austria,
allied with the Western Powers, to whom
Sardinia looked for support, and in close
league and correspondence with the Govern-
ments of the Italian peninsula.
Had France and England decided on sup-
porting the Liberal party in Italy, Sardinia
must have gained that influence which Austria
now possesses. The Governments of Italy
would have been radically changed,and from
policy and inclination would in that case have
entered into close alliance with Sardinia.
Under her auspices a national Italian treaty
might have been formed uncompromisingly
hostile to Austrian influence.
At the Paris Conferences the battle of these
interests was fought. While Lord CLARENDON
ostensibly supported Sardinia, he secretly and
really supported Austria. The Tripartite
Treaty decided the contest. It assured to
Austria a predominating influence in Italian
affairs, and crushed together the prospects of
Sardinia and the hopes of the Italian Liberals.
We never had a doubt what the effect of the
Tripartite Treaty must be. The blustering
language of our Ministerial press could not
conceal the truth. The menaces thrown out
against Naples were but a part of the delusive
and hypocritical system by which Lord
PALMERSTON'S Government, while deserting
their principles, sought to maintain their
credit with their followers. They knew that
the representation addressed to Naples would
come to nothing. They never had the slight-
est intention of enforcing it. It was a mockery
and a snare to the Liberal party in Italy ; it
was dishonouring to Great Britain from its
evident insincerity and inevitable failure.
If the " right and duty" of Lord CLAREN-
DON have any real existence, how is it that no
attempt has been made to enforce them? Why
advance pretensions only to withdraw them ?
Is the Government of this country so weak,
that it cannot fulfill what it has, in the face
of Europe, declared to be its moral obliga-
tions ?
All pretence of coercing Naples is now
abandoned. The game of menace is given
up. Her Majesty's Government intend to
rely solely on the good offices of the Au strian
Court. They will thankfully receive what-
ever measures of amelioration the King of
NAPLES may be persuaded by the Cabinet of
Vienna to adopt.
In one other country the Liberal cause,
after receiving Lord PALMERSTON'S support for
twenty years, is now, in its greatest need, de-
serted by his Government. Inconstant on
other points, Lord PALMERSTON Ina been tui•