The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-03 00:00:00

FRANCE.

THE FRENCH ULTIMATUM TO SARDINIA.
The Moisiteur of to-day eontains a message from
M. Tho 1, dated February 24, addressed to
Baron Talleyrand, the French ambassador at Turin.
The minister states the grave situation which has
been created by the late events, and explains the
dangers which would be incurred by Piedmont in
over-extending her territory.
M. Thouvenel says :—The idea of annexation to
Piedmont is rather a protest against another great
power than a deliberate attraction towards Sardinia.
If this feeling did not appear from the beginning,
it weed not delay to show itself in the emergen-
cies which wisdom counsels Sardinia to contest.
People would not delay to reproach her passion-
ately for betraying the cause for which she
had been aggrandised and armed, and she would be
exposed to two emergencies both equally disastrous
—war and revolution. M. Thouvenel propane a
solution having some chances of being accepted by
Europe, and preserving to Sardinia the full exercise
of the influence which she has a right to enjoy in the
Peninsula. That combination would be—complete
annexation of Parma and Modena to Sardinia,
vicarial government of the Romagna by
Sardinia in the name of the Holy See,
and re-establishment of Tuscany in her poli-

tical and territorial autonomy. M. Thouve-
nel maintains that the project of the annexation of
Tuscany reveals a hidden thought of war against
Austria for the conquest of Venetia, and an inward
ides, if not of revolution, at least of menacing
the tranquillity of the Pope and the King of Naples.
If the cabinet of Turin would adhere to the solution
proposed, France would not only support this com-
bination in a conference or congress, but she would
also proclaim that no foreign intervention shall be
allowed to attack it. The cabinatof Turin is at liberty
to follow another policy, bat France would at no
price consent to assume the responsibility of such a
state of things. M. Thoavenel than treats the
question of annexation of Savoy and Nice, which, in
presence of the aggrandisement of Sardinia, presents
itself es a geographical necessity for the safety
of our frontiers. M. Thouvenel points out th►t this
would also protect the interests of Switzerland,
which Franca desires to take into consideration. He
requests Baron de Talleyrand to draw the attention of
Count Cavour to this point in declaring to him at the
same time that France does not wish to force the
will of the inhabitants, and that, besides, the govern-
ment of the Emperor would not fail, when the
moment should appear to him to have arrived,
to consult previously the great powers
of Europe in order to prevent false interpreta-
tion of the reasons which direct his conduct. M.
Tb 1 states that in a message of the same date
to M. Penigny, French Ambassador at London, he
explains the motives of the last proposal made by
France to Sardinia. Austria having refused the
proposal of England, the government of the Em-
peror of the French was convinced that he could not
succeed in relieving himself of his moral responsi-
bility unites the principle of universal suffrage, which
constitutes his own legitimacy, becomes also the foun-
dation of the new order of things in Italy. But this
England abstains from advising, and the existing go-
vernments of Central Italy think it useless to appeal
again to the vote of the inhabitants. M. Thouvenel
concludes that he thinks it necessary to make the
above-mentioned proposal to Sardinia, and has
authorised M. de Pereigny to read to Lord John
Russell a copy of the despatch which has been for-
warded to Turin.

TURIN, FarDAy.

The Opinione asserts that Count Cavour has given
his reply on the subject of Central Italy, in bring-
ing forward the motives which prevent the Sardinian
government accepting the counsels given and re-

questing France to agree to the annexation should
the inhabitants confirm it by their wishes.

VENICE.

A circular of Count Cavour to the diplomatic
agents of Sardinia abroad, dated the 20th
of February, calls their attention to the
circular of M. de Bissingen, which orders a
forced enlistment into companies of peni-
tentiary discipline of all Venetians whose ante-
cedents should appear hostile to Austria. Count
Cavonr points out that the elasticity of
this expression allows the whole male po-
pulation to be classed in this category. He
thinks proper to draw the attention of the Austrian
Minister for Foreign Affairs to the possible con-
sequences of such a state of things in Venetia.

NEW APPEAL TO ITALY.
(T7lOll 001 SPECIAL COIII.IIIIPONDANSA
(DT lIIIIDNANIND AND BRITIAN TIL101.4111.)
BOLOGNA, MAR= 2.

Farini has issued a proclamation and a diem,
enacting that a pkbiscitum shall take place on the
question, " Annexation to Sardinia, or a Separate
Kingdom." The toting is to take place on the 11th
and 12th of March.

In his manifesto Faith says:
a We owe great gratitude to the Emperor
of the French for having espoused the cause of Italy
in the war of independence, and for having seta.
bushed the principle of non-intervention. Yon have
already, and in time of danger, declared that you
would resist the restoration of your former rulers.
Yon have proclaimed Victor Emmanuel your King.
Whereas disorders, crimes, and emigration prevailed
under your former government, yen have
since by your conduct proved yourselves worthy
of being a tree people, and you have
organised a strong army. Europe is convinced that
the fallen governments could only be kept up by the
aid of foreign troops; but it has been thought that
the formation of a separate kingdom would be for
your advantage. We have accepted the advice
given us to consult afresh the national will. Your
vote will be respected. I submit to direct and secret
universal suffrage the following alternative—An-
nexation to the constitutional monarchy of King
Victor Emmanuel, or a Separate Kingdom. When
your votes have been given my teak will be accom-
plished. "FABINI."

BOLOGNA, MAICR 2.

A decree of the government calls together the
inhabitants of the dEmilian Provinces for the 11th
and 12th March, to vote by ballot and universal
suffrage on the two proposals, " Annexation to Sar-
dinia, or separate kingdom."
In his proclamation convoking the parliament the
governor taken the opportunity to remind the people
of what they owe to the Emperor, not only for aid-
ing them during the war, bat also for securing the
provinces from foreign intervention, and says:
" Europe is convinced of the impossibility of the re-
establishment of the former dynasties. That which
pre-occupied the minds of the electors during the
last election of the National Assembly has disap-
peared. lie is now going to solemnly consult again
the national will, and he wishes the votes to be
given with freedom and sincerity."

THE NEW VOTING IN TUSCANY.
FLORENCE, ILaux I.
_ _

A decree has been published convoking the Tsuican
people for the 11th and 12th March, in order to
vote by universal suffrage and ballot on the two
following proposals:
Annexation to Sardinia, or separate kingdom.
All Tuscans being 21 years of age, and enjoying
political rights, are entitled to vote.

ROME.

ILARBEILLEI, MARCH 2.

Letters reoeived from Rome confirm that the
communication presented by the almoner of Victor
Emmanuel to the Pope announced to his Holiness
that the King of Sardinia would perhaps be under
the necessity of occupying the Umbrian Marches,
the population of which do not cease to demand the
annexation of their country to Piedmont. The Pope
replied immediately, expressing his surprise and
grief, and threatening the King of Sardinia with
excommunication.

Eight students of the University of Rome have
been expelled, and the Prelate Rector has been die-
missed. Another disturbance has taken place
among the students.
The government is occupied with the loan. A
mixed commission has been appointed to report
definitively upon the fusion of the railway compa-
nies, and hopes are entertained of a speedy settle-
ment of the question.
The Monitors of Bologna states that the electors
persist in demanding annexation.