The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-07 00:00:00

ENE TIA.

THE CE,

According to the announcement of the Moniteur,
the Emperor of Austria cedes Venetia to France
on the basis of " the idea expressed in the Emperor
Napoleon's letter of the 11th June." Subjoined is
the communication referred to :
" Palace of the Tuileries, June 11.
" M. le Ministre—At the moment when the hopes
of peace which the meeting of the Conference made
us conceive seem to be vanishing, it is essential to
explain in a circular to the diplomatic agents abroad
the ideas which my Government contemplated pre-
senting in the Councils of Europe, and the conduct
it means to follow in the presence of the events
which are preparing. This communication will place
our policy in its true light.
" Had the Conference taken place, your lan-
guage, as you are aware, would have been explicit.
You were to deelare.in my name that I repudiated
all idea of territorial aggrandisement, so long as
the equilibrium of Europe was not disturbed. In
effect, we could not think of an extension of our
frontiers except in case of the map of Europe
being remodelled for the exclusive benefit of a
great Power, and of the conterminous provinces
demanding by votes freely expressed their annexa-
tion to France.

" Outside these circumstances, I think it more
worthy of our country to prefer to the acquisition
of territory the precious advantage of living on
good terms with our neighbours by respecting
their independence and their nationality.
" Animated by these sentiments, and having
only in view the preservation of peace, I appe4led
to England and to Russia to address at the same
time words of conciliation to the parties interested.
" The accord established between the neutral
Powers will of itself be a pledge of security for
Europe. They showed their impartiality in re-
solving to limit the discusssion of the Conference
to the pending questions. In order to resolve them,
I think it was necessary to address ourselves to
them frankly, to disengage them from the diplo-
matic veil which covered them, and to take into se-
rious consideration the legitimate wishes of sove-
reigns and of nations.
" The conflict which has arisen has three causes :
The geographical situation of Prussia imperfectly
limited ; the wish of Germany demanding a politi-
cal reconstitution more conformable to its general
wants; and the necessity of Italy to secure her
National independence.

" The neutral Powers could not interpose in the
internal affairs of foreign countries. Nevertheless,
the Courts that participated in the constitutional
acts of the Germanic Confederation had the right to
examine whether the changes demanded were not
of a kind to endanger the order established in
Europe. We should have desired, in what con-
cerns ourselves, for the seeondary States of the
Confederation a closer union, a stronger organisa-
tion, a more important position ; for Prussia, more
homogeneousness, in the north ; for Austria, the
maintenance of her position in Germany.
" We should have desired, morever, that, for an
equitable compensation, Austria should cede Venetia
to Italy, for if, in concert with Prussia, and with-
out regard to the treaty of 1852, she made war in
Denmark on behalf of German nationality, it seemed
to me just that she should recognise the same prin-
cipleth
e pfeonr Italy Peninsula.
sua by completing the independence of

" Such are the ideas which, for the repose of
Europe, we should have tried to carry out. To-day
there is reason to fear that they can be decided
only by arms. In such an emergency what is the
attitude it becomes France to assume?
" Ought we to manifest our displeasure because
Germany finds the treaties of 1815 insufficient to
satisfy her national tendencies, and preserve her
tranquillity ? In the war which is about to break
out we have but two interests the maintenance of
the European equilibrium, and the maintenance of
that which we have contributed to constitute in
Italy.
" But to save these two interests does not the
moral force of France suffice? In order that her
voice shall be listened to, will she be obliged to
draw the sword? Ido not think so.

" If, in spite of our efforts, the hopes of peace are
not realised, we are nevertheless reassured by the
declarations of the Courts engaged in the conflict
that, whatever be the results of the war, none of the
questions which touch us shall be resolved without
the assent of France.

" Let us then continue in a vigilant neutrality ;
and strong in our disinterestedness, animated by a
sincere desire to see the nations of Europe forget
their quarrels, and unite in the cause of civilisation,
liberty, and progress, let us still remain confident
in the right and calm in our force. Whereupon, M.
lc Ministre, I pray God to keep you in His holy
guard.
" NAPOLEON."

Reform Meeting in Southwark.

A meeting was held last night at the Bridge-
house Hotel, for the purpose of hearing addresses
from Mr. Locke, M.P., and Jr. Layard, M.P., on
Reform. The room was crowded, and the hon.
members were warmly cheered on making their ap-
pearance. Mr. A. Pocock presided, and first called
upon—

Mr. LOCKE, who expressed his disappointment at
the fate of the late Reform Bill, and condemned as
insidious and unmanly the vexatious and harass-
ing motions which at length necessitated the aban-
donment of the measure. He regretted also the re-
tirement of Lord Clarendon and of his excellent
colleague Mr. Layard from the Foreign-office in the
present critical state of Europe. He did not see
how the Tories could be ousted from their places
till next session, unless they signally committed
themselves, for possession was nine points of the
law ; but men who had arrived at their time of life
were not likely to have improved since their former
tenure of office, and he believed they would be
turned out as soon as they were obliged to bring in
measures of any
importance. After eulogising the
late Government for their Irish policy, and espe-
cially for their Land Tenure Bill, Mr. Locke con-
cluded by advising Reformers to insist henceforth
on household suffrage, and thus to avoid all squab-
bling about rating and rental and niceties of that
description.

Mr. LAYARD, after premising , that during the
lifetime of Lord Palmerston a Reform Bill could
not, for various reasons into which it was mine-
cessary to enter, be brought forward with any pros-
pect of success, contended that Lord Russell would
confidence of the Liberal
g
partyha vebeen d
he unworthynet,
en ofa assuming the headship of the
Government, attempted a settlement of the ques-
tion. He commended the introduction by the late
Premier of the Radical element into the Adminis-
m office as unfair
wtarnhadtieiohnu,hne-aEhnnadgdlidsh. The attacks on that dis-
tinguished been
o unced the " persecution" by
driven
fro
statesman had been most persistent and
veryday he took office a great
his whole career, and
leadingmendeavoured
journalfotor misrepresented the
d
to the contempt of the
country, the only reason being that he had intro-
duced friends of the working classes into his Go-
vernment and was about to bring forward a mea-
ol him up
mea-
sure of Reform. After animadverting on the Adul-
-1 ami tto figure prominently in the annals
of political
adism, he remarked that many of
a s likelyren e g
them had recently sneaked out of the " cave," and
had stated that they would not have voted as they
had done had they thought the Government would
have gone out. The Conservatives were treating
Mr. Gladstone as they treated Canning, Sir R.
against
gnmclasses,
int h and the feeling
Peel, and every other great man who had espoused
tthhaet lecapurseevaoiftdhe w
a
gst e House of Com-
mons could hardly be conceived. A gentleman of
some distinction on the Conservative side had re-
marked to him, 4i You don't know how we hate
Gladstone. We feel ready to cross over the floor
of the house and tear him to pieces." (A person in
the meeting here cried, " Name," but was obliged
by shouts of disapprobation to desist.) While cau-
tioning his auditors not to believe the exaggerated
statements of a hostile press as to Mr. Gladstone's
want of temper and pettishness, Mr. Layard admit-
ted that the right hon. gentleman had shown anger
and indignation at the uu-English manner in which