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

SAVOY AND NICE.

Lord J. RUSSELL brought up papers by commend of
her Majesty containing the correspondence respecting the
proposed annexation of Savoy and Nice to France. (Hear.)

- Sir H. VERNEY wished to ask the noble lord whether
he had any information to communicate upon this subject.
He wished to know whether the Emperor of the French did
intend either by force or intrigue to obtain possession of
Savoy and Nice, or whether he intended to submit the ques-
tion to the four great Powers, and if so, whether the fact of
one or more of them dissenting from bis view would prevent
him carrying out his object ? (Hear.)

Mr. B: COCHRANE said before the noble lord answered
the question he wished to ask him whether he was prepared
to fix a day for the discussion of the subject referred to in
those papers ? (Hear, hear.)

Sir J. WALSH remarked that, before the noble lord
replied to those questions, he wished to ask whether he had
any information to communicate as to the existence of any
treaty or arrangement between Sardinia and France in re-
spect to the proposed annexation? (Hear.)

Lord J. RUSSELL—I think the best course for me to
pursue will be that of moving the adjournment of the house
until Monday. And in making that motion, I will take the
opportunity of replying to the questions that have been put
to me. With respect to the last question asked me, as to
whether there existed any treaty between France and Sar-
dinia in relation to the annexation of Savoy, I can only say
that I have no knowledge of any such treaty, nor do I be-
lieve in the existence of any such treaty. (Hear, hear.) I
stated on a former occasion that the Emperor of the French
had said—and that fact will appear by the papers just pro-
duced—that he will not take any steps towards the annexa-
tion of Savoy without consulting the great powers of Europe.
I think it will be as well that I should read what the Em-
peror himself has said in his speech, because we have no other
knowledge than a telegram, and the Emperor of course must
be the best interpreter of his own views on the subject. He
first speaks of the contingency of Piedmont becoming a
great country, and that it contains now 9,000,000 inhabi-
tants. " Having in view this transformation of Northern
Italy, which gives to a powerful state all the passes of the
Alps, it was my duty, for the safety of our frontiers, to
clailn the French side of the mountains. In this reclamation
of a territory of small extent there is nothing to alarm Ea-
rope, or to belie the disinterested poligy which I have more
than once proclaimed. France, however, will not acquire
this aggrandisement, small as it is, either by a military
occupation, or by exciting an insurrection, or by secret in-
trigues, but in frankly stating the question to the great
Powers. Their equity will doubtless induce them to recog-
nise, as France would certainly do with regard to them in
the like circumstances, that the important territorial change
which is about to take place gives us the right to a guaran-
tee indicated by nature itself." Now, what I understand,
and what appears by the correspondence that has taken
place on this subject, is that it is the opinion of the Empe-
ror's Government, and it appears to be the opinion certainly
of a great portion of the French people, that the creation
of a State in Northern and Central Italy, with a popula-
tion of 9,000,000, or even of 11,000,000 or 12,000,000
of souls, is a change for the worse for France ; that,
instead of having a small State on the frontiers towards
the Alps, she would have a considerable State. In case of
war, supposing that Sat dinia had combined with another
power, she would haVe the means of placing considerable
armaments on the frontiers, and of invading France by the
side of Savoy as well as by the side of Nice ; that, in con-
sequence of France having contributed by her arms in the
• war of last year in Italy to make the situation, which situa-
tion, the French contend, would be worse for themselves—
that under such eircumst inces it is but fair and equitable
to ask for a more secure frontier on this side the Alps. This
I believe I stated in substance upon a former occasion. But
it appears that, upon entering into a conversation on the
subject at Paris, the Emperor declared that ha did not
mean to enter upon such annexation without consulting the
great Powers of Eurcipe. My hon. friend now asks me
whether, or by what means, the Emperor will proceed to
effect this annexation in the event of any or all of the great
Powers disapproving of such a step. It is obvious that I
cannot precisely answer that question. I cannot gobeyond
what the Emperor and his Government have declared—
namely, that they would not persist in this course of annexa-
tion without consulting the great Powers of Europe. But I
should infer myself, without the authority, of course, of the
French Government, that if that opinion 'was general and
unanimous among the great Powers of Europe, that France
did not require that annexation for her security, and that
such annexation would occasion alarm and disquietude to
other Powers—if that were, I say, the unanimous opinion
of the great Powers, I should infer that the Emperor would
not proceed to such annexation. (Hear, hear.) At all
events, it is declared that it is a matter which will be
discussed by the great Powers of Europe, that Franco.
is not going—as some kon. gentlemen seemed to suppose—
to establish a military occupation of Savoy; but to rely
upon what she called the equitable consideration of the
case by the great Powers of Europe. (Hear, hear.) I
do not know that I can give the house any further infor-
mation on the subject. I can only repeat what I have
said—that I understand, if the opinion is general on the
part of the great Powers against that annexation, that
that annexation would not take place. If, on the contrary,
it was declared by them that the proposition on the part of
France was a fair one, then France would proceed to annex
Savoy. With regard to the views of her Majesty's Go-
vernment on the subject, they are contained in the papers
I hive just laid upon the table. An hon. gentleman has
asked me upon what day do I propose to take the discussion
upon those papers. I can only say that it is not usual, un-
leess.Government has some measure to bring forward in con
n -
ctron with it, to fix a day for mere discussion upon the
g
subject.invttea vote The hon. gentleman will not suppose that I shall
of censure upon the Government. (Hear,
and a laugh.) On On the other hand, Ido not intend to esle
for a vote of approbation. These papers will be distributed
among members, and if the house shouldh think it neces-
sary to bring them under discussion,
propose such a motion if he thinks necessaryiatnyon. member may
xany
to name a
day for that purpose—it is not for us to
fi
suchrny concluded dayfor
such discussion. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord
by moving that the house at its rising should adjourn to
Monday.