The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-14 00:00:00

YLTIVZIZIT Zrol ZS 1

THE STATE OF ITALY..
Mazzinl, who is said to be at Lugano seriously ill,
has written a most inflammatory address to his fellow-
countrymen. He asks them if they have a spark of
honour in their souls, if they have any sense of dignity
left, to arise and prove it. He declares that Rome is theirs
by every conceivable right ; yet France has declared that
Rome is hers, and a handful of foreign invaders have
landed on Italian soil, insolently to deny the Italian claim.
He accuses the army of cowardice. He points out how
the Monarchy might have had the initiative at starting for
Rome, but would not; might have preceded the French to
Rome, but would not; allowed the volunteers to form in suffi-
cientimumbees to begin the struggle, and then prevented them
from forming in sufficient numbers to complete it. This
Monarchy has twice imprisoned Garibaldi, has dissolved
the committees of aid, has refused to accept the ple.
biscite, has withdrawn its troops from Papal territory
at the bidding of France, brought about the disasters
of Custozza and Lissa, and henceforth can bring upon the
nation nothing but perfidy and shame. Let the nation
arise and advance to Rome on its own account, and also
on account of France ; for France is burning to revolt,
and only awaiting the signal from Italy to get rid of
"a despot who has seen his designs overthrown in Mexico,
in Germany—wherever, in fact, they were resisted—and
who is rapidly descending the steep of ruin."
While this passionate proclamation is being dispersed
throughout Italy, more sober writers tell how utterly unfit
that country is for a great war. Its army is only partly
organised, it is imperfectly equipped and armed. The
Chassepot has made France as completely master on the
Tiber as the zundnadel made Prussia last yearmaster on the
Elbe. As to a revolution, the people are not yet prepared
for that. There have been serious disturbances, it is
true, and at Milan the troops had to charge a riotous
crowd with the bayonet on the same day that the
Exeter rioters were disporting themselves. Barricades
even were erected, and it is stated that the troops
fired on the people. But even at Naples, where the
vacillating conduct of the Government is most strongif
condemned, where it is established beyond all controversy
that the Government was in league with Garibaldi and
then basely deserted him, the indignation has not yet
become dangerous. This is due, perhaps, partly to the
presence of a strong military force ; but it is also due in
some measure to the indisposition of the people to fly
from ills they have to others that they know not of. Had
Garibaldi been shot there is no doubt that a revolution
would have been general. But as that calamity has not
occurred the people are content to wait, at least for a
time. Meanwhile a free press affords a valuable safety
valve for the popular anger.
Further particulars of the battle of Mentana, published
in the Independence Beige, state that Garibaldi was re-
treating to Tivoli when he was attacked by the Papal
troops. These he defeated ; and he was about to continue
his march, when the French troops appeared in sight. He
exclaimed "I am betrayed," but he would not retire. The
engagement was renewed, the Garibaldians were defeated,
and 5,000 of them, with their leader and his two sons,
retreated to Correse. He there telegraphed to the Italian
Government, which sent him a special train. After the
battle, the French troops made a diligent search in the
town of Mentana. for Garibaldi, believing him to be there.
They killed many of the inhabitants, and arrested others.
This last fact accounts for the large number of prisoners
who were sent to Rome.

There is no doubt that the Chassepot rifle (the Passe
declares that the portable cannon also was used, and
"committed great havoc ") was not the only cause of the
defeat of the Garibaldians at Mentana. There was disaf-
fection in their own ranks. General Nicotera, who com•
mended one of the four divisions, was unable to obey
Garibaldi's instructions, to effect a junction with him, in
consequence of the obstinate disobedience of some of his
(Nicotera's) subordinates. The principal offender was
General Orsini, who persisted in remaining stationary
with his corps instead of advancing towards Rome. In
consequence of this disobedience Nicotera had to retire
into Neapolitan territory instead of marching to Garibaldi's
assistance. Nicotera was arrested by the Italian Govern.
ment on entering the city of Naples.
THE FRENCH MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

The semi-official Elm/arc/ confirms the statements which
we have already made respecting the changes in the French
Ministry. The Marquis de La Valette has resigned, but
will continue to sit in the Council of the Emperor. Ile is
succeeded by M. Pinard. M. Magne is to be the new
Minister of Finance. It is believed that the Marquis
had been requested to undertake the duties of talking
Minister, but that he refused to do so, finding it impose
sible to defend a policy of which he has most strongly die.
approved.

A very remarkable artacte has appeared in the France,
the more remarkable considering the paper in which it is
published. This journal, which is devoted to the Bonaparte
dynasty, urges the direct intervention of the Chambers as
a controlling power in the government of the country.
Hitherto they have not shewn sufficient self-confidence,
and have failed to exercise their prerogatives. For wane
of doing so the unfortunate Mexican expedition was under-
taken. The France quotes the words of the Emperor,
" What the Government most needs is control," and adds:
"There he laid down a principle : he conferred a right on.
the Chambers; it is now for the Senate and Legislative
Body to do their duty." Do these remarkable words
imply that the Emperor, conscious of the terrible blunders
he has committed, is weary of despotic power, and wishes
to share it with the nation ? If so, a happier future may
be in store for France than seems at all likely just now,
when there are rumours of formidable conspiracies in
Paris.