The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-15 00:00:00

TALK OF A OENERAL CONGRESS.

A GENZRAL European Congress begins to be talked
of in diplomatic circles. As yet it is little more than
vaguely hinted at; but it is certain that the question
has been mooted. The time hu not yet oome for a
COustme, but it oppooro to 100 soptelly appro+ebing•
Sardinia is understood to have drawn nearer to the
Western Powers, though in what manner, and to

what extent, is not precisely known. And it is con-
fidently stated that the Swedish Minister in London
has been instructed to intimate to the British Govern-

ment the desire of his Royal Master to accede to the
treaty of the 2nd of December. Nor are these the
only indications, from the less powerful constitutional
states, of a wish to identify themselves more
closely with the policy of France and England.
All this is likely to lead eventually to a general
Congress, but the time has not yet arrived. Some
of the Governments alluded to have a direct and
immediate interest in the repression of Russian
encroachments; but the interest of others in that
question is more remote and secondary. They are
impelled by other considerations to approximate to
the two great Western Powers; and the position of
some of them is such as to render their approxima-
tion a matter both of delicacy and difficulty.
There is, for example, Sardinia. The liberal
tendencies of this Government in its domestic policy
may now be considered as placed beyond a doubt.
The early history of its late King, generous and
chivalrous though his character unquestionably
was, kept • number of sincere and even moderate
Italian liberals at a suspicions distance. But his
persistence in the patriotic principles of his later years
had even before his abdication been productive of
more favourable impressions ; and the unwavering

1 - -
constitutional measures of his successor, and of the
leading statesmen who enjoy his confidence, have of
late been winning golden opinions from the practical
liberals of Italy. The liberality of the Sardinian

Government has involved it in complications with
Austria on account of secular politics, and with the
Court of Rome on account of what may be called
spiritual politics. It is therefore natural that it should
seek to strengthen itself by a close alliance with the
Powers which have taken arms to assert the great
principle of national independence. But here lies
the difficulty. On the ono hand the Sardinian Go-
vernment is respected and supported by a great
body of the Italian liberals for the courage with
which it is struggling against the parti pretre in its
awn territories, supported as that party is by all the
influence the Romish See can throw into its scale.
Now unfortunately the French Government has
sssght to conciliate the ecclesiastical party in France
by putting itself forward as the especial champion of
the Holy See. The tottering secular throne of the
POPS is at this moment actually propped up by
French bayonets. There must, therefore, be a na-
tarsi demur on the part of the Cabinet at Turin to
*vomit itself too unreservedly to so ardent a partisan
of its most inveterate and unscrupulous foe. Another
sonsiderstion, too, must be taken into account. The
strength of the Sardinian Government consists
not merely in the loyalty of its own subjects, but
in the attachment and respect of that sec-
flan of the Italian liberals which prefers a con-
stitutional monarchy to a republic, or which at least
in prepared to accept of a constitutional monarchy
es
a form of government more easily attainable in
the present state of European opinion. This attach-
ment would be in great danger of being diminished
by a close alliance between Sardinia and France in
the existing relations between the latter power and
fps alive of Rome, inasmuch as it might be attributed
Isssssssecret stroke of diplomatic jugglery. Again,
aims alliance between Sardinia and the two great
Western Powers is more than ever likely to excite
the suspicion of Italian patriots since the
intension of Austria to their league. We
spat of these difficulties and embarrassments
of the Sardinian Government, not as mere

matters of surmise. Some time ago, when that 1
Government gave permission to a regiment of
French cavalry to march through its territories,
the announcement of this concession was received

at Turin and Genoa with the warmest enthusiasm
but before the regiment arrived on the soil of
Piedmont the news of the accession of Austria
to the Western Alliance had been received, and a
dead chilly indifference succeeded immediately to the
popular excitement. As a further confirmation of
the state of feeling in this respect among Italian
liberals, we invite attention to a remarkable letter
which we this day publish from one of the purest
and most high-minded of their number—thivezzt.
It is easy for foreigners to say that swishes
of the Sardinian Government, admitted solely CS
the ground of its drawing closer to the Western
Powers, are rash and unjust; but when we plies
ourselves in the position of Italian patriots, we mast
seam that their jealousies are neither unnatural
sir causeless. It is evident, then, that Sardinia has
a very difficult game to play, if it would strengths.
itself against the great reactionary party Si Europe,
and at the same time preserve that confidence in its
integrity on the part of the Italian patriots which
is essential, not only to its power, but to its exist'
once as a constitutional state.
The best solution of the difficulty would appear to
be in the Western Powers remaining contented with
general aseerancee of goodwill and sympathy from
Sardinia, in so far as the arduous struggle in which
they are at present engaged is concerned, and resery
lug the question of a more intimate anima.
for a General Congress, to be held at a INN
advanced period of the contest. The Orissa.' MI
cultic. have opened the eyes of European 11111611111. n
to the necessity that exists for more clear definitions
of the doctrine of international law regarding the
integrity and independence of states; but there an
other questions of international policy which call ne•
gently for mutual explanation and understanding on
the part of civilised nations, and which embrace a
widialleld than the continent of Europe only. A
' sere inrepean Congress will not suffice for the solu-
tion ot than difficugies. France and England have