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

FOREIGN NOTES.

FRAIS'CE AND ITALY.

the Paris correspondent of the Times states that the
entry of the Italian army into the Papal States has pro-
foundly irritated the French and wounded Napoleon.
The popular indignation is deep and loud, and the
Emperor is excessively mortified. At the time that this
correspondent wrote (Friday morning), everybody was
asking whether there would be war. At the same time it
was rumoured that an understanding would be come to
between France, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and
Bavaria for a mixed occupation of Rome—a not very
probable rumour, considering that in this arrangement
Italy is conspicuous by her absence. The Ultramontane
Univers calls upon the French Government to occupy a
few of the Italian ports, by way of reducing the Italian
Government to reason.

A letter from Florence, dated October 30, says that
so great was the indignation against the French Govern-
ment that it was found necessary to guard the French
Legation with two companies of soldiers. The excitement
increaseclovhen it was known that the French fleet was in
sight of Civita Vecchia. Thereupon Victor Emmanuel
held a long consultation with his Ministers, to whom he
announced that the French Government had energetically
repelled the demand for a joint intervention. A verylively
discussion followed, whose result was the order to the
Italian army to march. On Thursday evening the Official
Gazette at Florence announced the crossing of the frontier as
an accomplished fact. The Gazette expressed confidence
that the French Government would see in this step the
proof of a sincere desire to smooth away all difficulties,
that the Roman people would look upon the Italian troops
as the protectors of order, and that Garibaldi "would not
insist upon increasing the grave difficulties, but would, on
the contrary, aid by wise advice in the pacification of the
country and the solution of the Roman question, which
by such means might be easily obtained."
The Paris correspondents of the Inclepenclance Berge,
writing on the 31st, consider the position extremely critical.
They state positively that there is no secret understanding
between Napoleon and Victor Emmanuel, although it is
difficult to see how they can ascertain this. They add that
Napoleon has been deeply wounded by the act of the
Italian Government. The chief danger they considered to
arise from the attitude of the Pope, who, in order to bring
!natters to a crisis, would, it was probable, send his
troops against the Italian army, and when they were
beaten—as beaten they would necessarily be—he would
demand the assistance of the French troops, which, if
granted, would bring the French and Italian armies face
to face. France, however, would probably strongly counsel
the Pope to avoid any such rash step. The correspon.
dents have little faith in a European Congress.
The Liberte is very sarcastic over the disagreement
among the Ministerial journals. In an article headed
" ()icier, Counter-order, Disorder," M. Fagnan points out
that M. Dr.olle, of the Patric, has been contradicted by
M. Eoniface, of the Constitutionnel, and he asks why we
should believe the latter more than the former—why, in
fact, we should not believe that the Petrie was right when
it declared the entry of the Italian army into the Papal
States a declaration of war. We understand that the real
explanation is this : The news of the march of the Italian
army was cont:adicted on the morning previous to the
appearance of M. Dr4olle's article, and Napoleon, think-
ing that Victor Emmanuel would scarcely venture upon
such a step, ordered the menacing article above mentioned
to be written. In the meanwhile, however, the news
became confirmed, and it became necessary for the Govern-
ment to disavow its own production. Anyhow, there is
clearly great confusion and uncertainty in the Ministerial
councils.

It is stated that the Marquis de la Valette has once
more sent in his resignation, and that it has been accepted.
The Minister is now in disgrace, for he has committed the
high crime of remaining true to his convictions. Men
who used to cringe to him now forget to recognise him. It
is thought probable that he will be succeeded at the Home
Department by a general, as M. Billault was by General
Espinasse. M. Rouher is still very seriously unwell. He
had to get out of bed to attend a Council of Ministers. It
is expected that he will relieve himself of a portion of his
duties by resigning the Portfolio of Finance to M. Fr6my,
of the CrMit Mobilier.