The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-04 00:00:00

FRENCH DECLARATION OF
WAR AGAINST AUSTRIA.

g, Oh, that mine enemy would write a book !"
was the time-honoured exclamation. Something
more will, however, be now required, and if a suffi-
ciently important Italian proclamation or mani-
festo will be looked for, Louis NAPOLEON, at the
very moment of proclaiming the war occasioned by
his own criminal ambition, has thought proper to
applaud the extraordinary moderation, the miracu-
lous gentleness which he has displayed. Austria
is the only delinquent. It is she who, by her
invasion of Piedmont, has declared war against
France ; and the result is, that either the Austrian
dominions must extend to the Alps, or that Italy
must be free to the shores of the Adriatic.

It is a new mode of " begging the question."
We do not in any degree desire to defend FRANCIS
JOSEPH. He himself, as well as his predecessors,
grossly abused the power so unfortunately and
unwisely granted forty-five years ago. They
alienated the affections of those who became their
subjects, and to the utmost of their power pre-
vented the amelioration in the Petty States that
might otherwise have been anticipated. But cer-
tainly the course adopted by LOUIS NAPOLEON has
precipitated the crisis, and rendered war inevitable.
It is thereforefore simply ridiculous for him to prate
about moderation, or to declare that hitherto it has
been the rule of his conduct. He will observe
treaties, but on what condition ? They shall not
be violated against him ! He is to decide on that
point; and he insists on being judge and jury in
his own case, refusing the arbitration or mediation
of any Power, even of one beyond the slightest
taint of suspicion. This will not do. It is too
much even for the immortal Jew Apella, or for the'
most credulous member of that truly distinguished
corps, "The Royal Marines !" But he does not
stop there. He declares that " France has shown
her hatred of anarchy." This is a new discovery, and
we should certainly be liked to see the statement
verified, and to kno that she, the model
country, would not'. tolerate either foreign
war or domestic disturbance, save in the last
extremity, when no other alternative remained.
He declares that " the object of the war
is to restore Italy to herself, not to impose on her a
chance of masters, and to have upon her frontiers a
friendly people, who will owe their independence
to him." This seems rather contradictory. He does
not want to change masters (?) but he wants a
friendly people " who owe their independence to
him." If the old despotism be retained we cannot
understand the quasi independence, Davus non
'dipissum, and therefore must leave the solution
to the skilful scribes of the Moni,eur or Constitu-
tionnel.

He is about to place himself at the head of the
army. That simple fact is worth at least twenty
thousand men to Austria. As we have already stated
there is no royal road to military science, and mere
theory will not be sufficient, unless the eye has
become accustomed to the conflicts of armed
squadrons, and the ear to the booming of cannon
and the deadly fusillades, where " every bullet has
its billet." He may, however, change his mind as
speedily ha did his cousin, who found the Crimean
atmosphere by no means suited to his constitution.
The husband of "the Royal Victim," having already
had some painful experience of war, will, we sup-
pose, remain at home to comfort his fifteen-year-old
spouse, and to assist the Empress and Prince Im-
perial in the good government of the Empire. We
Shall speedily see how Louis NAPOLEON prospers
in his new undertaking, and whether the passion
for " playing at soldiers" has really entered
into his soul.
Should he fancy that his
uncle's mantle
has descended on his shoulders,
he will become the scourge of Europe, and it will
be the duty of
every civilised nation to arrest
his dangerous career at its very commencement.

The Government of Lord DERBY has one more
excellent chance of
gaining an unassailable posi-
tion. In adopting substantially the India Bill of
the preceding Government they Were
blamed by
none, and taunted only by those Whom they had
superseded, and naturally and excusably enough.

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THE SUN.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1859.