The Express.
London, England, 1859-03-08 00:00:00

ITALY.

-4-
SARDINIA.

(mon ore. own COILZBIPONDINT)
TUBII4, Malice 4.
Throughout Lombardy gangs of men have been
set to work on the fortifications, and the troops are
placed on a war footing. This proves, to my appre-
heon, that Austria has no longer any hope of
peace. Her want of pecuniary means appears to be
an teducement for her to dismiss the idea of procras-
tination. She has constructed two good entrenched
camps, one at Piacenza, the other at Cremona. At
the first•named place there is, besides, a new fort,
which has been hurriedly run up on the Trebbia,
within the territory of the Parmesan duchy, and of
which the Austrians seem to dispose as if it were
their own. This is a new infraction of the Treaty
of Vienna. The Sardinian government comeequently
intends to repeat its protest; and I do not consider
the maintenance of peace possible, should the
demolition of the forts about Piacenza not be con-
ceded. This subject of dispute has been laid before
a permanent committee appointed to investigate the
several breaches of international law of which Sar-
dinia complains. The committee, through their
chairman, Count Sclopis, have unanimously declared
that neither the letter nor the spirit of the Treaty of
Vieona, or of those special treaties signed in 1817
and 1844, confers on Austria the right of erecting
those forts. I may here mention incidentally that
the same committee, having been instructed to exa-
mine the double election of Colonel Couza in the
Principalities, has not hesitated to declare that
election legal. The committee's diligent inquiry has
been highly appreciated by the cabinet of the Tuile-
ries es well as by that of St. Petersburg. But to
return to the Austrians ; several movements of their
troops would seem to reveal the intention on their
part of making the first attack. The journal, have
exaggerated, as might be expected, the strength of
the faros that has actually entered Lombardy. The
information brought the day before yesterday to the
ministry of war here was that the Austrian power
in Lombardo-Venetia does not exceed 90,000 men.
Taking into account, however, the two fresh divisions
already on the march, and which cannot be less than
18,000 men, the Austrian army in Italy may be
100,000 strong, exclusive of the garrisons of Ferrara,
Bologna, and Ancona. If they mean then to attack
our military line, extending from Genoa to Casale,
they could not spare for the purpose more than
40,000 men. For, apart from the fortresses of first
rank, which they ere obliged to guard, it Le not
credible they would venture to denude the principal
cities and towns of troops, when they know how
hostile the whole oountry is, and bow anxious it is
to strike a blow for its deliverance. General
La Harmon has distributed the troops and
I 'purlieus so skilfully that in a few hours, no matter
t where assailed, he could concentrate a force, if not
superior, at least equal to the enemy's. The fears
of these who think an Austrian attack might find

us unprepared are therefore imaginary.
The arrived of volunteers continues, and among
the numerous bands are some young men who are
both rich sad noble. All without distinction enlist
as privates. On this head I will relate to you • fact
that well delineates the present state of the Penin-
sula. At Forli, a town in the Romagna, there were
some families who entered into the domestic service
of the Austrians when staying in that place, and who
were naturally " sent to Coventry" for their pains
by the rest of the townspeople. Well, there ham
been a resolution pawed that any member so excom-
municated shall be restored to favour by volunteering
to serve in the Piedmontese ranks, and the condition
has been joyfully accepted by many, whom we are
expecting to arrive every day.
The Sardinian Government opened yesterday •
subscription for • million and • half of dividend
warrants, that represent about half the capital of
the fifty millions sanctioned as a loan by Parliament;
and the lists were filled up in less than twenty-four
hours. The reports from the prefects of the pro-
vinces assure the minister that if required the sum of
a hundred millions could easily be obtained. As a
contend, on the other side of the Ticino, we hear
that the Austrianaditerally having no money of
their own, intend laying t •Wir hands on the hada
held is trust by the tribunals, the nviuge-banks, and
the various Montt di Pieta. Public feeling in that
part of Italy is so notoriously evident, that it
would be a waste of words to describe to you
at fall length the almost innumerable sips and
symptom; manifested there. I must tell you,
however, that after the funeral of young Dandolo,
General felinity haring returned to Milan, all who
were believed to be the leaders or instigators of that
demonstration were arrested and imprisoned—l

. r .
mean all who were unable to escape in time to •
place of security. The people in Lombardy will no
longer go to concerts and theatres, and so the latter
are only &quoted by the Austrian officials, and
agents of police. Strange to my, the more the
troops increase, and the more strictly the govern-
ment acts, the more intense does public enthusiasm
become s so intense is it, indeed, as to be extremely
dangerous.