The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-28 00:00:00

TUE ITALIAN CRISIS.

Revolution and re-action, says the Times, are face
to face in Rome. The last word has been spoken, and the
challenge is to the death. The struggle, however, is likely
to be of the shortest duration. Indeed, within a very few
days we may receive the assurance of peace and order
Ming restored. One more painful episode to fill up the
tragic story is the defeat and death or capture of Geri.
belch. Without very serious disturbances within Rome
he could almost dash out his brains against its strong
walls. Were even any chance to give him the mastery
over Rome it would only be for a day. Garibaldi is sure
to do an that the most desperate courage can achieve. A.
noble life will ho crowned by an even more glorious death.
Nothing better can be hoped for Lim; nothing else can be
wished. Mere human heroism is not equal to sheeriuipossi-
bilities. if the Emperor Napeleon meets with opposition from
Italy, if the gauntlet is thrown down into his face and he
is compelled to take it up, long and large as the peninsula
is, it will only be for the French army a triumphant pro-
menade. Menabrea's cabinet consists of men of high
character, and known to fame as liberal and patriotic men;
but unless they curb the popular passions, the alternative
lies between a Crierti-Mordiai ministry, which would be
war, were it even to set Europe on lire, and the King's
abdication. Discontented as the Times feels at the course
things have taken, and alarmed at the possible results,
not only for Italy, but for Europe, it is compelled to avow
the Emperor of the French had every right to act as he
has done ; nor could he have done anything better calcu-
lated to restore his popularity in France.
It is ordained, observes the Daily Items, that the Papacy
shall not disappear as a temporal power until this genera-
tion has seen bow heavy a curse it can be to mankind, and
before its fall the calamities which it is fitted to draw
down upon Italy may be mourned in team of blood. The
sycophants wbo are impatient to congratulate the man who
has trampled on the independence of the youngest of
European nations, may before long be able to renew the
peens they raised when his army entered Puebla and con-
quered a camping ground in the capital of the Mexican
Republic. But for throwing Italy into the arms of the
revolutionary party Europe owes him no thanks.
Why the King, who was unable to do the bid-
ding of a foreign sovereign, did not place himself
at the head of the nation we have yet to learn. Perhaps
the course to be pursued may ►ppear plainer to him than
it did this time last week. If the new government is
master of the new situation at home, it will perceive that
its situation abroad is not without its advantages, The
Emperor has made a choice from which cannot now
recede. Now that the Italians are undeceived as to their
position they will do well not to be too eager to get rid of
their uninvited guest. If they will only be quiet they
will soon see him struggling to shake off a load which
threatens to sink him in the sea.

The Post expresses great sympathy with Italy, but
insists that *be is herself to blame for her misfortunes.
To the Star the inexorable conditions which fate seems
now to impose on the son of Charles Albert are, to risk all
and fight France or to abdicate.
The Stsisdorst finds no one to blame but Italy.