The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-02 00:00:00

ANNEXATIO.

OF SAVOY TO FRANCE.

A letter from Paris say :—" From the reply
elicited by Lord Normanby's observations on the
annexation of Savoy to the French Empire it may
be inferred that if such an act be attempted it would
meet with opposition from the British Cabinet:
When Lord Granville said that no information bad
been received on the subject, he no doubt meant
that no communication had been officially made to
him by the French Ambassador in London ; but it
is not the less certain that Lord Granville and his
colleagues have long since made up their minds on
the matter; and that, doubtless, in conformity with
their own convictions, independently of any other
reasons, their resolution is to decidedly set their
faces against any dismemberment of the territories
of the King of Piedmont. Moreover, it is believed
that our Ambassador at this Court has received in-
structions to that effect, should the question be ever
N Tiously mooted. I may add that on this ieepor
tent question Prussia, and Austria certainly, and
Russia perhaps, not to speak of Switzerland, for
which it is one of life or death, are, very probably,
of the same opinion as the British ce,i)inet, As to
Piedmont herself one knows not well what to say.
Victor Emmanuel might be tempted to the abandon-
ment of the ancient domain of his house, were the
compensation for its loss, or the balm to his con-
science, the annexation of the Romagna ; but even
he and his Ministers would hesitate if the voice of
Europe were against them. We have had news of
" manifestations" in Savoy in favour of French an-
nexation. None but idiots are ignorint how such
things can be got up; they May be had-by bribery
or intimidation, moral if not material, through
secret or half-avowed agency. Those which are in
a contrary sense, and which have also- just taken
place at Chambery, have -more -the character of
genuine feeling about them. Ido not affirm that
the majority of the Savoyards would fight to the
death rather than separate from Piedmont ; but if
there really be a desire for annexation, it is not to
France, but probably towards Switzerland that
they would turn.
1 have remarked that for Switzerland the question
is one of vital importance. Switzerland has no desire
for aggrandisement. She well knows that if there
be a country in Europe more interested than an-
other in the stability of territory, it is herself. 'Were
she forgetful of her duty, her interest would forbid
her to raise any question likely to affect, the rights
of others ; she could not do so without imperilling
her own. No country depends more on the strict
maintenance of treaties ; for this is the gearantee
of her independence. The neutrality of Switzer-
land was proclaimed in 1815, and it was based by
the Congress "on the interests of all Europe." To
defend her neutrality is not merely a duty for
Switzerland, nor a question of liberty or glory—it
is her existence itself; and this neutrality—that is
to say, her existence as an independent State—is
gone the day Fiance occupies the portion of Savoy
comprised in her neutral territory. Her military
frontier would be lost, and Geneva, the Valais, and
the Vaud defenceless. As the author of the mani-
festo, " La Suisse dans la Question de Savoie" (re-
cently published), says :
" Certainly Switzerland has no motive for wish-
ing to see Saroy change her rulers. Having for
centuries past kept up no other than peaceful and
kindly relations with the Royal House of Sar-
dinia, she can only desire to see the relations
with an excellent neighbour perpetuated ; but
if by the force of circumstances this situation is
changed, if the House of Sardinia, led on towards
a new destiny resolve to abandon to France its
possessions beyond the Alps, then Switzerland
would owe it to Europe, as well as to herself, to
show the value she sets on treaties which have re-
cognised her own independence and her own neu-
trality, and which have made her the guardian of
the valley of the Rhone."
Again,
"Switzerland would recall the ancient treaties
confirmed by the 23d article of that of Turin, bywhich
the King of Sardinia binds himself not to alienate
the Chablais, the Faucigny, and the Genevese to
any other power but Switzerland. She would in-
voke the recent treaties by which Europe has, in
the general interest, entrusted for ever to the
Confederation the guardianship of the Simplon and
the basin of the Leman ; and, strong in her rights,
she would demand the transformation of the instru-
ment which has comprised a portion of Savoy in
her neutrality into one which alone could preserve
to her the means of fulfilling the wish of Europe—
namely, into one of possession. She would insist
that Chablais, Faucigny, and the Genevese to the
north of the Usses, should become a portion of the
Confederation."

I mentioned long ago that it was supposed by
some the arrangement for delivering over Savoy to
payment for the aggrandisement of Pied-
mont,ad been concluded even before the Ist of
janua France,rhy in
, 1859. lam ignorant whether this be the
case or not. But if an engagement of the kind
exist, it can hardly be more binding than the Villa-
franca preliminaries. For the non-fulfilment of
these the obstinate refusal of the Italians to take
back their fugitive Princes is pleaded as a good
pretext. Might not the anti-separatist " manifes-
tation" of Chambery be used with equal force by
Victor Emmanuel to get out of a not very credit-
able bargain—if bargain there be ?
The following letter has beeen received in Paris,
from Nice, dated Saturday last :
" Our town has been extremely agitated for some
days past by the intrigues of a few individuals who
are terrified at the idea of annexation with France.
Personal animosity has played a principal part on
this occasion ; next the private interests of the bar-
risters, who fear to be eclipsed by the French
lawyers ; and finally, the Italian feelings of a few
who believe they are serving the interests of the,
country and of the Government by agitating the
population. The fact is, that for the last three
days a letter of Garibaldi has been hawked about
the streets and read in all the shops, in which the
General declares that the King has assured him
that he will never give up Nice. It is added, that
the King would not be sorry to see a manifestation
made which would justify his refusal. This is not
all ; the most absurd reports are circulated among
the operatives to render them hostile to the annexa-
tion with France. They are told that the price of
sugar, coffee, salt fish, and wine will be raised so
high that they will not be able to purchase those
articles ; that they can no longer obtain employ-
ment ; and that all persons found in the streets or
in wine shops after ten at night will be sent to pri-
son. Under these circumstances the tranquillity of
Nice is in danger of being disturbed, particularly as
there are so few police to prevent a disturbance.
The Government sent yesterday for some of the
leaders of the Opposition, and requested them to
abandon their projects. I am assured that they
have, in consequence of the Governor's observations,
postponed their projected manifestation. They will
confine themselves to the preparation of an address
to the King, to be presented by the chief of the
Municipal Council. We shall see how many sig-
natures will be affixed to it. It must not be for-
gotten that Nice possesses a population of 44,000
souls. The position of Nice, at present, resembles
very much the situation of some French towns pre-
vious to the revolution of 1848. A factious minority
which enjoy more or less the moral support of the
Government, rule the majority, which comprises all
the landed proprietors, merchants, and industrious
operatives. One woid from the French Govern-
ment would be sufficient to put an end to this
anomaly."

GARIBALDI AND HIS BRIDE.—As some doubts
existed as to the truth of the intelligence of General Gari-
baldi's marriage with Mdlle. Josephine Raitnondi at Fino,
we may state that the Corriere Mercantile of Genoa of the
27th confirms it by quoting a letter from Como. Count
Pvsso Lambertonghi, a cousin of Silvio Pellico, was one of
the witnesses for the bride; M. Valerio, a deputy of the
late Piedmontess Chamber, was the general's witness.
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