The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-19 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The Patric, which is the official journal of the
present French Ministry, publishes the following im-
portant article on the affairs of Italy :
" All the powers desire to re-establish the head of the
Church at Rome, and to ensure his independence ; all
consider it a point of honour to co-operate is the matter.
Portugal and Spain cannot dispose of soldiers, but they
offer money ; Russia and Naples are getting ready. Can
France remain inactive ? Can she, in particular, in
presence of Austria ? Austria, it is known, takes care
to have published in the journals in her pay, even in the
Augsburg Gazette, that she is obliged to send reinforce-
ments to the Imperial army on its march to Pesth. And
whilst her journals hold that language she strips Hun-
gary-, where matters may be considered now as termi-
nated, and causes numerous regiments to pass into
Italy, where they are concentrating themselves on the
frontiers of Piedmont and on the side of the Legations.
She seems to menace at the same time Bologna and
Turin. Radetzky is waiting for orders, and is in a posi-
tion to proceed to either side. In both these cases, has
not France a part to play, a part active and energetic,
rot precisely hostile, but, to employ a term lately intro-
duced, a preservative one ? If it be the cause of the
Pope which Austria pretends to serve, if it be on Bologna
that she is directing her forces, France, the eldest
daughter of the Church, cannot permit that the throne
of the successor of St. Peter should be restored without
her. She will consequently place herself at Civita
Vecchia, and from that point will press with the
weight of ner sword on the deliberations of
the powers. Nothing will bo effected in spite
of her, or independently of her. It it be only on the
side of Piedmont that the efforts of Austria were di-
rected, there also it is necessary for Frauce to be pre-
seet, and present in arms. The actual situation of
affairs is well known—Charles Albert, whether be wages
war or does not wage it, is certaiu to receive anything
but maledictions. If alarmed at the chances of a
struggle evidently disproportioned, he should avoid en-
gaging in war, Lombardy will call for vengeance from
all Italy. Who knows in that case to what extremities the
Piedmontese people may allow itself to be carried, mis-
led, us it is, as to its real interests, fanaticised by revo-
lutionary journals, deaf even to the voice of Gioberti,
already outstripped by events ? If, on the contrary,
Charles Albert engages in war, it is not nearly certain
that in a very short time, the Austrian army, so nu-
reeruus, and so strongly organized, will have beaten the
Piedmontese army? Will not Radetzky easily find the wuy
to Turin ? It being possible that such serious eventuali-
ties may be realisei. France ought to be in a situation
to meet them. If the Austrian army should appear to
desire to remain in Turin, the French army would have
its conduct ready traced out fur it ; it ought in its turn
te take up a triple position at Chambray, Genoa, and
Nice, and thence call on Austria to withdraw. But it will
be said, if Austria should not comply, a war must follow.
War, perhaps, would follow if France was not in a posi-
tion from the present time to cause her will to be respected.
It would not be war if wise precautions were taken.
Austria, who after all, does not want a conquest which
she could not keep as she well knows, would evacuate
Piedmont, declaring that she had: not attacked,
that; she had merely defended herself. But as she would
certainly be victorious, she would affirm not without
r-I,sun that it is the vanquished who ought to pay the
cost of the war, particularly as it was they who com-
msnced it. In order that that cost should not exhaust
Piedmont, already at the end or her resources, it would
t,e well 'or France to be there to cause, in a firm manner,
tie voice of humanity to be heard. In that case, the
c. erences of Brussels, could have their utility. It is
thercrore good policy to prepare at the same time for
e Les and for diplomatic negotiations. As to the ques-
tion of Lombarday, properly so called, is there any-
th -net to expect from these double preparations? We
are sorry to be obliged to say it, but we do not think so.'