The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-26 00:00:00

AUSTRIA AND SARDINIA.

The Nord of Brussels contains the following rc-
marks on the diplomatic rupture between Austria
and Sariinia

"New that the cessation (we designedly avoid the
words suspension or rupture) of diplomatic relations be-
tween Austria and Sardinia is a fait accompli, we wil-
lingly acknowledge that the Austrian government could
hardly have avoided such a step. The very natural sen-
timent of self-preservation, nay, of dignity, obliged it to
adopt this course. To remain, after Count de Cavour's
reply, under the disgrace of a diplomatic defeat, received
from and inflicted by a secondary Italian power, in which,,
whe therrightly or not, public opinion in Italy has placed Rif
hopes, would have been tantamount for Austria to losing all
prestige and authority, the primary bases of hlr domina-
tion in the Italian peninsula. Oa the other band, if the
supposition made in certain quarters be admitted, that
Austria had no other object in view, in announcing to
the Representatives of foreign Powers, even before the
.reception of Count de Cavour's reply, her intention of
suspending relations with Turin, than to force these
Powers to address severe remonstrances to the Pied-
monteie Cabinet, the attitude, so different from what
she expected, since assemeci by these Powers, must have
equally imposed on her this measure as a question of
dignity. Whatever may be the motives which actuated
her, and with Cut Lacing any intention of setting our-
selves up as a judge between the two parties, each of
whom perhaps has equal faults to regret, we may ob-
serve that since March 2 the project of suspending rela
tions vOith the Court of Turin was evidently determined
on by the Cabinet of Vienna, which circumstance leads
many persons to suppose that the note of Count de Buol
to Count de Cavour was only a pretext for carrying
that design into execution. However, since then, some
of the great powers, it is said, intervened to induce the
Cabinet of Vienna to change its decision, but that Cabi-
net did not think that it ought to yield to the request,
yet, through deference for these pouters, it is probable
that it mitigated the form or rather the bearing of its
resolution. However that may be the Austrian Govern-
ment has considered it necessary to address to its dip!o-
matic agents at foreign courts a despatch, in which it
explains the motives which have induced it to take this
resolution. In that document it complains bitterly of
the conduct of Sardinia, whom it accuses openly of con-
spiring against Austrian rule in Italy, and of placing
herself at the head of a revolutionary movement, the
final object of which is to be the overthrow of the po-
litical order in Europe created by the treaties of Vienna."
A letter from Vienna in the National Gazette of
Berlin, referring to the second despatch, says :

"It is' stated that the second note dent to the Pied-
montese cabinet developes this thesis :—That Austria is
animated with the most sincere desire to procure, the
greatest prosperity for her Lomt•ardo-Venetian subjects,
and that it is her interest to see in the remainder of
Italy governments and administrations well organised ;
and that Austria could not submit to see her rig:sts sys-
tematically attacked by the Piedmonte3e press. This
note was only sent after the raturn of the Emperor to
Vienna. It is said here that Lord Palmerston does not
approve of the conduct of Sardinia, and that he has re-
commended her to adopt a less offensive policy."