The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-02 00:00:00

PRUSSIA AND THE ITALIAN CRISIS.

The conduct of Prussia at the present juncture seems
very mysterious. She seems to be alternately patting
both disputants on the back, as though she were really
desirous of seeing them come to blows. Another theory
is that Ilismarck has convinced himself that Itattazzi did
some months ago conclude an offensive alliance with
Napoleon, in anticipation of the then expected war with
Prussia, and that the Prussian Minister desires to punish
Italy for thus turning against her ally of last year. At
the same time it is not likely that Bismarck will carry
his present policy of seeming vacillation much farther.
In fact, the statement in his own organ, to the effect
that the unity of Ita'y is no less essential than the unity
of Germany to the welfare of Europe, and that
between the two nations there is a species of solidarity,
chews that in ti.e last extremity Italy would not be left
alone.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Herald con-
firms this supposition, and believes that the Italian troops
would not have crossed the frontier if they had not been
assured of support in the event of France resenting the
step by a declaration of war. It is on this account probably
that Napoleon is now urging the settlement of the Roman
question by a European Conference, and also for the same
reason that Bismarck has suddenly assumed a peremptory
attitude towards the South German States.

THE STATE OF ROME.

The Daily Telegraph has sent a special correspondent
to Rome, who, in spite of the assurances that he would
never get there, contrived to enter without difficulty on
the 2:;th. Two days later he would have been too late.
Between the 25th and 27th terrible events occurred, and
the city had been placed in a state of siege, and its gates
barricaded. A visit to the Zouaves' barracks after the
explosion shewed a ghastly spectacle. Numbers of
frightfully scorched and mangled bodies lay buried in the
ruins, not Zouaves only, but innocent women, who had
shared the cruel fate dealt by the unworthy soldiers of
freedom. It was not surprising that after this dastardly act
the Papal troops should have displayed great ferocity. So
when a treacherous member of the Junta betrayed the resort
of his associates, the Zouaves attacked it, shewed no mercy,
and converted the house into a butcher's shambles. Twenty-
five were killed and thirty-seven made prisoners, many of
them desperately wounded. The Papalini lost none of
their number, though they had to stand a perfect storm
of " Orsinis." All this time constant fighting was going
on outside the walls, in which, according to the Telegraph's
correspondent, the Garibaldini shewed little of the elan
which they displayed seven years ago.
The news of the entry of the Italian troops into the
Papal States was known at Rome so long back as the 26th
ult. Thereupon General Kanzler, whose heroism is said
to be beyond all praise, ordered the Papal troops to with-
draw from the provinces and concentrate in the city. An
official announcement was made to the Papal Government
on the morning of the 27th that the French army would
intervene, but very little confidence was placed in it, and
it was looked upon as a farce. The Pope continued calm
and unmoved, and continued to give private audiences.