The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-08 00:00:00

THE ITALIAN QUESTION.

MEMORANDUM PRESENTED BY THE SARDINIAN
GOVERNMENT TO TIIAT OF HER BRITANNIC
MAJESTY ON THE CONDITION OF. ITALY. ,
We are enabled to place before our readers the
following interesting official document, dated Turin,
March 1, 1859 :
" The Government of her Britannic Majesty, ani-
mated with a kind solicitude for the fate of
Italy, with the object of removing the causes
which may lead to serious perturbations in Europe,
has requested the Government of the King of Sar-
dinia to make known what, in its opinion, are the
complaints which the Italians have to bring for-
ward against Austria, either on account of her do-
mination over the provinces which she possesses
in virtue of treaties, or in consequence of her rela-
tions with the States of Central Italy, the abnormal
condition of which is admitted by all the Cabinets
of Europe.
"In order to respond to this appeal in a clear and
precise manner, the Cabinet of Turin think it ne-
cessary to treat separately the two questions which
are addressed to it by explaining itself in the first
place on the condition of. Lombardy and Venetia,
and afterwards on the results of Austrian policy
with regard to Central Italy.
" Whatever may have been the results of the
cession in 1814 of the Lombardo-Venetian States
to Austria, it cannot be disputed that their posses-
sion by that power is conformable to treaties; but
in those treaties the fate of the people thus dis-
posed of is little regarded. We shall not therefore
in consequence have raised a question which cannot
be solved without a modification of existing treaties
if the British Government had not requested us to
communicate to it all our ideas on this as well as
on other points.
"We admit that the domination of Austria over
the countries situated between the Ticino, the Po,
and the Adriatic is therefore legal, but that does
not prevent it from having produced the most
deplorable 'consequences, and led to a state of things
which has no analogy in modern history.
" It is a fact that Austrian domination inspires a
feeling of the most invincible repugnance in the
minds of the immense majority of the Italian people
who are subjected' to it ; and also that the only
feeling which they entertain towards the Govern.
ment is that of antipathy and hatred.
"From what does this proceed ? The Austrian
mode of governing has doubtless contributed to it.
Her bureaucratic pedantry—the vexatious conduct
of her police—the overwhelming taxes which she
has established—her system of recruitment, which
is more severe than any other in Europe—and her
rigours and her violence, even against females—
have exercised the most disastrous effects on her
Italian subjects. This, however, is not the prin.
cipal cause of the evils which have often been
pointed out.
" History furnishes us with many examples of
Governments which are worse than that of Austria,
but less universally detested.
"The true cause of the deep discontent of the
Lombardo-Venetians is that of being ruled and
domineered over by foreigners, by a nation with
which they have no analogy either of race, of
habits, tastes, or language.
"In proportion as the Austrian Government has ,
applied in a more complete manner the system of
administrative centralisation those feelings have
increased. Now that this system has attained
its extreme point—that centralisation has be-
come more absolute than even in France—now
that all local action has become extinct, the hum-
blest citizen finds himself brought into,.contact for
the slightest reasons with public functionaries
whom he neither likes nor respects, and the feeling
of repugnance and antipathy towards the Govern-
ment has become universal.

" The progress of intelligence and the diffusion
of instruction, which Austria cannot entirely prevent
have contributed to render them more sensible to
their sad fate. The Milanese and the Venetians
who return to their native land after having visited
countries which enjoy a national Government feel
more acutely than before the humiliation and the
weight of the foreign yoke.
" During a certain time the firm and indepen-
dent conduct of the Austrian Government towards
the Court of Rome tempered the disastrous effect of
foreign domination. The Lombardo•Venetians felt
released from the rule which the Church exercised
in other parts of the Italian peninsula over the
actions of civil life, and even in the sanctuary of
families. This was for them a compensation, to
which they attached the highest value.
" This has been taken from thet'n by the last
Concordat, which, as is notoriously well known,
secured to the clergy a greater influence and more
ample privileges than in any other country, even in
Italy, with the exception of the Papal States.
"The destruction of the wise principles introduced
into the relations of the State with the Church by
Maria Theresa and Joseph 11. has caused the
complete loss of the moral force of the Austrian
Government in the minds of the Italians.

" In consequence of the causes thus pointed out,
the Lombardo-Venetian provinces present the most
melancholy spectacle, and one which, as already
observed, has no analogy in history. It is that of
a whole nation which has assumed towards those
whogovern it an attitude openly hostile, and which
neither threats nor caresses can put down or
alleviate.

" It is only sufficient to go through Lombardy
and Venetia 'to acquire the conviction that the
Austrians are not established but simply encamped
in those provinces. All houses, from the humblest
cottage to the .most sumptuous palace, are closed
against the agents of the Government. In the
public places, the theatres, the Wes, and in the
streets, there is a complete line of separation be-
tween them and the native inhabitants, and any
one would say.that it was a country invaded by an
enemy's army, rendered the more odious by its In-
solence and arrogance. This state of things ig not
a transitory fact produced by exceptional circum-
stances, and the, more or less distant end to which
can be predicted. It has endured and gone on
aggravating for the last half century, and it is cer-
tain that if the civilising influence of Europe does
not put a stop to it, the attitude of the people
towards the Government will grow worse and
worse

" Such a state of things is not contrary to treaties
as has been above declared, but it is contray to
the great principles of equity and justice on which
social order reposes ; it is in opposition to the pre-
cept which modern civilisation proclaims—that
there is no government legitimate except that
which the people accept, if not with gratitude, at
least with resignation.
" If we are now asked what remedy diplomacy
can apply to such a state of things, we shall frankly
reply, that if Austria cannot be induced to modify
treaties, no definitive and feasible solution can be
come to ; it • will be necessary to put up with any
palliatives. Europe must resign herself to witness
impassably the painful spectacle which Lombardy
and Venetia presents, until revolution—which is
constantly smouldering in those countries—avail-
ing itselt of favourable circumstances, shall vio-
lently break a yoke which eonquest and war have
imposed on them.
"This spectacle would, however, become less
afflicting, and the state of the Lombardo-Vene-
tians more tolerable, if Austria would show her-
self faithful to the promises which she made to
the Italians when in 1814, she excited them to
rise against French domination, ,and if, in con-
formity with the proclamation of the commander-
in-chief of her armies, General Bellegarde, she
were to establish beyond the Alps, if not a go-
vernment, at least an administration, entirely
national, with a national army quartered in Italy
and commanded by Italian officers, and institutions
on the representative principle. This would be a
palliative which would inspire a feeling of paticnce
in the minds of people accustomed to suffer, and
remove to a distance the dangers which now so
justly excite the attention of public opinion in
Europe.
" Diplomacy, in recommending to the Cabinet of
Vienna to follow the path which has been pointed
Out, will permit a prudent and meritorious act,
although we can scarcely hope that the results pro-
posed will be obtained. The experience 0f45 years
has but too clearly. shown that Austria only relies
oinher force to maintain her domination in Italy.
" Passing to the second question, viz., the effects
of Austrian policy on Central Italy, the King's
Government will confine
itself within the circle
traced out in diplomacy by treaties And public