The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-07 00:00:00

AUSTRIAN OUTRAGES IN ITALY.

The following letter has been addressed to the
editor of the 'limes:—

Sir,—The outrages attributed to the Austrian
authorities in Italy. both on Austrian subjects and
those now unhappily committed to their earn by
the Pope and the Italian Princes, have been so
frequently denied, that during a recent visit to that
country I was anxious to, obtain some positive evi-
dence on the subject. I have now received from
Milan three documents which so fully illustrate
these barbarous acts of vengeance that I consider it
a duty to make them as public as possible.
In the year 1849, on the Emperor's birthday, a
woman of bad character, living near the Duomo, at
Milan, suspended from her window the Austrian
colours. This demonstration on the part of an
Italian created some irritation among the passers by.
In a cafe near were some Austrian officers who,
there is reason to suspact, instigated the woman to
show the colours, and were watching the result.
Altercation soon arose, and a crowd was collected.
Suddenly a party of soldiers closed the street, and
arrested those who were in it. Of the 42 thus
seized 20 were condemned to be flogged, receiving
from 50 to 30 blows each ; 14 to imprisonment
for, different periods, in irons, and the remainder
were released. I have before me the original noti-
fication of the sentence. Like other documents of
a similar kind that have been preserved, it
is without signature, even an Austrian officer
having been probably ashamed to affix his name
to so infamous a document. It is simply dated
"Milan, from the Military Government, August 23,
1849." Of those condemned to be flogged many are
very young men, there being two boys of 17. The
list concludes with the names of two women, who
are thus described :
" 19. Galli Ernesta, from Cremona, aged 20
years, a singer, to 40 stripes ;
"20. Conti Maria, from Florence, aged 18 years,
a singer, to 30 stripes" ;
Two girls, of 18 and 20, flogged for being guilty,
according to the sentence, "of the blackest ingra-
titude" (la piu nera ingratitudine), and of " scan-
dalous anti-political demonstrations" ( scandalose
diinostragioni antipolitiche ), condemned by a mili-
tary tribunal without trial or proof, and solely to
gratfy the vengeance of a party of Austrian
officers !

But the second document to which I desire to
call attention is, if possible, even more infamous.
It is an attested copy, under the municipal seal, of
the receipt given for the money which the munici-
pality was compelled to pay for the expenses in-
curred in this barbarous outrage. It is signed
Sctmutz (chief auditor), Wonesch (Provost), and
Mauler (Major of the Archduke Albert Regiment).
I translate the items literally :

"Paid for bandages prescribed by' the doctor
according to annexed account, No. 1 .... 2 16
" Paid for vinegar and ice used for a similar

purpose, according to annexed account,
No. 2
1 1-5
"Paid six soldiers who were chosen to nurse

these flogged citizens (quests civil 9 easti-
gati) at 401 r., M. C., a-head 4 0
"For 60 sticks used for the abovementioned

purpose at 81r ,M. C., each stick 8 0
"In addition, for 40 sticks employed in flog-
ging the citizens arrested on the 15th, 17th,
and 23d of July, and expenses

"Total
The order for the paying of this sum was signed
by Radetsky, but it was merely communicated to
the municipality, and then, out of very shame,
withdrawn. But so deeply was this insult felt by
even the nominees of the Austrian Government
that, when on the death of the Field-Marshal, the
municipality was ordered to attend his public fune-
ral, the Podesta alone (one Scbregondi, a mere
creature of the Austrians), obeyed, the entire body
keeping away, notwithstanding the threats of the
authorities.

It may be said that these occurrences are of some
years back, but that this infamous system of flogging
women was persevered in to the last is proved by
the third document in my possession. It is a circa-
' lar of the Imperial Vice-Government of Lombardy,
dated Jan. 22, 1859, and consequently immediately
before the war, and entitled, " Relating to the Exe-
cution of Corporal Punishment to be inflicted on
Women." It declares that the Minister of Justice,
in concert with the Minister of the Interior and of
Finance, had determined that the wives of gaols
and their female servants who should be found best
fitted to the work (elle si troveranno a cis pin adatte)
should be employed, and should be paid at the rate
of 20 soldi of new money ahead for etch victim.
Of the atrocities committed during their occupa-
tion of the Papal and Tuscan territories by the
Austrians ample evidence has been furnished by
the documents found in the archives, and published
by the order, or under the sanction of the Pro-
visional Governments. That they were committed
in the Legations with the apprqyal of the Pope is
shown by a letter from Itadetzky replying to some
proposal (the nature of which has not been yet dis-
covered) of the present Cardinal Savelli for the treat-
ment of political offenders. The Marshal declares
" that he should feel himself 'dishonoured as a man
and as a soldier" were he to put his name to a do-
cument such as that proposed to him. An Austrian ,
General outdone by a Christian priest . In the
horrible history of the cruelties perpetrated during
the Austrian occupation of Bologna the Pope is, I
am assured, only found interfering on one occasion.
On the side of mercy and of j , ustice . No. But to
grant a dispensation to an Austrian officer for the
execution of a boy of 17 who had been condemned
under the legal age.
The above facts, to which could be added very
to death when a year
many more inspiring equal horror, are surely suffi-
cient to account for the hatred of the Italians to the
Austrian rule, and to the rule of the Pope and of
those princes who have placed Italy at the mercy
Austrian soldiers. They are well worthy the
earnest consideration of such Englishmen as are
desirous of seeing that rule, at least in the case of
the Pope, restored.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Jan. 6. ' A. H. LAYARD.

SIR TIENRY HAVELOCK'S GRAVE.

COUNT WA LE WSKI.

(From the Times.)

Count Walewski has fallen, like Jupiter, ii
shower of gold. Fortune follows her favourite
even in his descent from power, and spreads luxury
and wealth, like soft spangled cushions, on the spot
where he is to strike the earth. The decision which
dethroned him was sudden, and the exact cause of
that decision may still be a problem. It may be
but as the taking down an Austrian banner from a
place of honour, but laying it by tenderly to be re-
placed at a convenient season. It may be a demon-
stration that the Emperor is about to break for
ever with the course of policy of 'which Walewski
was the visible exponent. But, on the other hand,
it may also be that the Emperor is just in the act of
trying a new combination, and thinks it convenient
to play this new game entirely out of his own hand.
It must be admitted that if Napoleon 111. has pro-
hibited the action of the press in its ancient sphere,
he has very largely increased its direct importance
by the work he has imposed upon it .on his own
behalf. In Parisi and now in Rome, the pamphlet
and the journal have taken the place of the diplo-
matic note. The Powers of Europe come into the I
lists of journalism, mingly hotly in the melee, and
only known in their plain armour of anonymous
knights by the heartiness of the blows they deal,
and by the deference which is paid them by
their opponents. It was curious to see the
master of so many legions tilting with his vizor
down at the Holy Father. Now we have the
Holy Father himself assuming the pseudonyme
of 6'iornale di Rome, and returning the blow from
under the disguise of the broad sheet. His versa-
tile assailant receives his lance in full career, but,
changing horse and arms and blazon, returns into
the lists, and resumes the combat under the nom de
guerre of M. Grandeguillot, of the Constitutionnol.
This could not go on forever. While the Emperor
and the Pope are thus belabouring each other in
disguise, M. Walewski and Cardinal Antonelli, the
two official representatives of the two Sovereigns,
could not for very ridicule continue to bow and
embrace and pass endearing compliments. Walewski
has been removed from the scene, and Antonelli
must now bow to .space. The Emperor is getting
tired of play, and is looking 'round to see who will
be with -him and who against him if he screw on
the iron to his lance. But much will depend upon
the attitude of the other champions in the lists;
and if he sees that they flock to his leadership, it is
by no menus impossible that Walewski may again
pop up opposite to Antonelli, that the bowing and
embracing pageant may be recommenced, and that
the lists may be closed. All this, however, is a
great mystery. It would be rash to prophecy the
actions of a man who is possibly in a state of even
more acute expectation than we ourselves can be.
But whatever may be the secret springs of the
public act which hastast been announced to Europe,
we cannot but congratulate the Emperor upon the
verysGrand Seigneur air with which he has settled
this affair of State. It used to be one of the
maxims of that highly polished-corruption whiCh
reached its most shining point during the. Govern-
ment of the Regent Orleans, that a gentleman of
sober habits might be even a miser without. dero-
gating ; but that no gentleman could be parsimoni-
ous in his vices. If an instrument had don,e his
work, it was a duty of gentillesse to reward him
wall. Napoleon acts up to the generous traditions
of the Regency. If he does not allow his Ministers
much power, if, he even; suffers . them to promise
what he does not intend to perform, arid disavows
and reassures them when their obligations become
troublesome, no one can say that he does not, with
a noble disdain for all meaner considerations, throw
them gold and decorations. Under certain condi-
tions, and with certain restrictions, the service of
Napoleon 111. is the best in the world. There app
pears to be perfect independence; for you may say
what you like, certain that whatever you may say
your master will do as he likes ; and when the time
comes that the discrepancy between official words
and Imperial acts becomes inconveniently glaring,
behold there is a golden chariot and garlands and
blue fire to accompany you in glory from the
scene ! The conditions are that you must not pre'
tend to exercise any solid power, or chafe at the
small credence given to your 'official explanations.
Count Walewski, having failed in the conditions,
or having arrived at that fatal point of discre-
pancy, goes forth covered with all the stars of
our modern carpet chivalry, invested with the
rank of Senator, gifted with two estates, mere
mementoes of the Emperor's generosity, and
endowed with a salary of £5,000 a year for life'
This, moreover, is a Minister to whom it is nog'
,
evident that the Emperor has never been indebted
for his policy. Napoleon 111. was never dependent
upon Walewski, either for his expedients or for his
resolutions. Walewski was not a Richelieu, nor
even a Dubois ; he was simply a drag upon his
master's course, but an impediment so slight that
he could afford to tolerate it. He was a small
domestic opposition. But he has served the Eor
peror. To mete out his reward would be to met'
sure his own honour. The Emperor scorns to de
so bourgeois an act; Walewski goes forth, there'
fore, like Alcme3on from the Treasury of the
Lydian King.
How much more modest and more Spartan-like
are we in our Constitutional Government when we
reckon with our old servants ! When we allow
£5,000 a year to sustain the dignity and the ex-
P •of the highest offices in the State we think Ave
ex-
pense
are doing a remarkably handsome, thing, and such
men as Mr. Williams, of Lambeth, and Mr.
Bright, do not fail to reckon it among the ex-
travagances of a corrupt aristocratic system. Yet
we work our men hard, mulct them in the ex-
penses of frequent re-elections, and call upon thene
both in opposition end in office for the devotion of
all their time and energy in public services of every*
kind. Office work in the morning, debates at
night, charity and educational and social science
speeches and political meeting,in the vacation—
how hardly all this heavy business contrasts with
the silken luxury of the servants of Imperial
France ! Moreover, when they do go out of office,
the Queen never gives them a farm in the Wind-
sor Home Park and a slice of the New Forast for
a hunting-box; and even if it should occur that a
small pension has been earned, it can onV be
enjoyed on condition of the recipient being ac-
tually in want of it. Some time ago, when this
matter was under discussion in the House of
Commons, Lord John Russell made a confession
of his private means—which have since, we believe,
been very much augmented—and said that, al-
, though as a younger son he was a poor man, he
had never been in debt until he took office ; but he
added that he had, up to that time, never been out
of debt afterwards. Mr. Bright could not under-
stand ; with a delicate arithmetic characteristic of
his class, he suggested that,. although Cabinet (Bo-
ners were undoubtedly costly-, yet by being a Cabi-
net Minister a man got invited to a good many
dinners at other people's houses, and so, upon
computation, the balance ought to be pretty even.
Yet, notwithstanding the strong contrast between
the emoluments of office in France and England,
and notwithstanding the hard work and the—to a
sensitive mind—still more disagreeable grudging,
complaints of coarse, unreasonable persons, we shall
not find among our public men one to envy Count
Waleweki either his favour or his fortune. The
Eniperor of the French deserves all praise for being
a generous master; he pays generously for services
rendered. We have lackeys and flunkeys to whom
fripperies are sometimes wisely thrown, but our
public men envy neither foreign nor domestic cour-
tiers. There is -a pleasure in holding part in the
working of a free Government which only a free
people can comprehend, and which is quite, apart
from, and cannot be measured or recompensed by,
money or titular distinctions. Count Walewski has
all our good wishes in his retirement. We hope that
he now carries off with him upon his travels not
only his pensions, and his little firmament of stars,
and his double rent-roll, but also the last hope of
Austria to restore the Grand Dukes to Modena,
Parma, and Tuscany, and the last hope of the Pope
to carry fire and sword through the Romagna.