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

TILE ITALIAN QUESTION.

MEMORANDUM PRESENTED BY THE SARDINIAN
GOVERNMENT TO THAT 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 beiisputed 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 li
Lombardo-Venetians is that of being ruled and
demineered 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 ex:inct, 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 them 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
who govern 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 cafes, 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 is 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 contrary 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 mouldering in those countries—avail-
ing itself of favourable circumstances, shall vio-
lently break a yoke which conquest 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 patience
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 Cabin et 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
on,,her 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

European law.. Placed .on this ground it will not
confine itself to pointing out the illegal acts of
Austria ; it will in its turn invoke European en-
gagements violated by Austria, and will demand
the execution of the measures necessary to remedy
the evils which have been the consequence of that
violation. This is its right and its duty.
" The Treaty of Vienna made over to Austria a
large part of Italy, nearly quadrupling the number
of her former subjects. In adding to the Duchy of
Milan—which belonged to her before the revolu-
tion—the Valtelline, the possessions of the Pope
situated on the left bank of the Po, and all the
States of the Republic of Venice, it has destroyed
the equilibrium which existed in the last century.
Piedmont, notwithstanding the annexation of
Genoa, has no longer been Ii a state, as formerly,
to form a counterpoise to the empire which com •
mands the Po, the Adige, and the principal rivers
of Northern Italy.
" Piedmont has thus found herself in presence of
a Power reckoning more subjects in Italy than
herself, and disposing:of forces infinitely more con-
siderably than hers.
" If, however, Austria had kept herself within
the limits assigned by treaties, the rest of Italy
would have been able to have shared in the progress
which has been realised in Europe since the termi-
nation of the wars of the empire, and to have
formed, with Piedmont, an effectual barrier against
foreign influence in the peninsula.
" But Austria has endeavoured from the first year
after the restoration, by every means in her power,
to acquire a preponderating influence over the
whole of the peninsula.
" By setting herself up as the declared defender
of all the Italian Governments, however bad they
might be, and interfering with irresistible forces
whenever the people sought to obtain ameliorations
and reforms from their own Government, she has
succeeded in extending her moral domination far
beyond her frontiers. We do not refer to the his

tort' of the last forty years, for it is too well known,
we confine ourselves to pointing out the present
state of things, caused by the persevering action of
Austrian policy in Italy generally.
" The Duchies of Parma, Modena, and Tuscany
have become real fiefs of the Austrian empire.
" The domination of Austria over the first two is
proved by the Convention of December 24, 1847.*
That Convention, by giving her the right to occupy
them by her troops not only when the interests of
Parma and Modena might call for it, but whenever
it might be useful to her own military operations,
renders Austria absolute master of all the eastern
frontier of Sardinia from the Alps to the Mediter-
ranean. And let it not be said that this is a vain
menace and an imaginary danger; for only three
years ago, when the Congress of Paris was still
echoing with the protestations put forth by Pied-
mont, and supported by England, against foreign
intervention in Italy, the Austrian troops were seen
on a most futile pretext to occupy not only Parma,
but the most distant parts of the duchy, and to
encamp on the summit of the Appenines, whence
they commanded the shore of the sea belonging to
Sardinia.

" Austria considers herself so much at liberty to
do as she pleases in the States of Parma, that in
contempt of the treaties which only gave her the
right to keep a garrison in the citadel of Placentia,
she has had constructed and is arming at this
moment detached forts outside the enclosure of the
city, destined to transform Placentia into a vast
entrenched camp, capable of giving shelter to a
formidable army.
" The bond which attaches Tuscany to Austria,
although less apparent, is neither less real nor less
strong. It is not known whether a secret treaty
exists between the two States ; but what is certain
is, that on the one side the Tuscan Government
knows that it may at all times and under all cir-
cumstances rely on the armed support of Austria to
keep down her people ; and that, on the other,
Austria is certain of being able to occupy Tuscany if
by chance a strategical interest should counsel her
to do so,

" As to the Roman States, the mode of proceed-
ing adopted by Austria has been more simple. She
has occupied them whenever political disturbances
have furnished her with a pretext for so doing.
Since 1831 she has crossed the Po three times, and
placed garrisons in the towns of the Romagna. The
last occupation has been more complete than the
preceding ones, seeing that it extends as far as An-
cona, and has lasted for 10 years. Although at this
moment the Pontifical G. ~awg nt has demanded
therithdrawal of the not
think that this measure could change the abnormal
condition of the States of the Holy See. The depar-
ture of these troops, if not preceded by radical
reform in all the branches of the administration, will
leave the field open for revolution. Anarchy
.would
be substituted for foreign occupation, to again, and
necessarily, have recourse to foreign occupation.
"Thus the intervention of Austria in this country
has been of so permanent a character that one is
authorised in saying that these provinces which
should have belonged to an independent Sovereign
are really under the Austrian domination.
"So great an extension of Austrian power in
Italy, besides the stipulations of treaties is a serious
danger for Piedmont, and against which its Go-
vernment has a right to protest. Austria, absolute
mistress of the Po from Pavia to the Adriatic,
creating on our frontiers a stronghold of the first
order, free to occupy when it pleases her the moun-
tains which should serve as ramparts, and menacin g
us on all sides, obliges us to maintain our forces on
a ruinous footing, and far out of proportion with
our financial resources.

"It will perhaps be observed that the presence
of the French troops:at Rome neutralises the strength
of Austria and diminishes the dangers of Piedmont.
Far from it. In a political point of view the occu-
pation of Rome by France may be of great import-
ance. In a military point of view it is none,•par-
ticularly with regard to Sardinia.
"If in case of an aggression we were to appeal
to France for support. the troops which that power
has in Provence and at the foot of the Alps would
afford us more effectual succour than those which,
isolated in Rome, could only act in our behalf by
embarking at Civita Vecchia.
"We therefore think that the presence of the
French at Rome, which, indeed, we earnestly wish
to see put at end. to, does not at all diminish the
force of the remonstrances which Sardinia raises
against the ever-invading policy of Austria.
"If Austria, acknowledging these just remon-
strances, would recognise the absolute independence
of the other States of the peninsula, the condition
of Central Italy would soon be considerably im-
proved. The government of these states being no
longer sustained by the Austrian armies, would,
necessarily be brought to. give satisfaction to the
legitimate wishes of the people. But in the interest
of order and of the principle of authority, and that
these inevitable concessions may not be forced from
them by disorders and popular movements, it is
necessary that the principle of non-intervention by
Austria should be proclaimed, and that the Sove-
reigns of Central Italy should greatly modify the
political system that they have pursued for such a
length of time under the protection of foreign
bayonets.

The Cabinet of Turin is convinced that all
danger of revolution would be avoided in the
Duchies of Parma and Modena if they possessed
institutions similar to those which Piedmont has
enjoyed for the last 11 years.
" The experience of this country shows that a
system, wisely liberal, applied with good faith,
may work in Italy in the most satisfactory manner,
securing at the same time public tranquillity
and the regular development of the civilisation
of our age. As to Tuscany, all classes consider
necessary the re-establishment of the constitution
of 1848, which the Grand Duke swore to, and
which was revoked at the very moment when,
basing itself on the institutions which it consecrated
the Grand Duke was restored to the throne which
had been overthrown by a revolutionary movement.
" With regard to the Papal States, the Cabinet
of Turin cannot but see that the question presents
far greater difficulties. The twofold quality pos-
sessed by the Pope—that of head of the Roman
Catholic Church and that of Temporal Prince—
renders • almost impossible (in his States) the esta-
blishment of a constitutional system. He could
not consent to it without running the risk of often
finding himself in contradiction with himself, and
of being constrained to choose between his duties
as Pontiff and those of a Constitutional Sovereign.
"Nevertheless, whilst acknowledging that the
idea of securing the tranquillity of the Papal States
by means of constitutional institutions must be
given up, the Cabinet of Turin thinks that the
same object might be attained by adopting the pro-
ject which the Plenipotentiaries of his Majesty the
King of Sardinia at the Congress of Paris had
developed in the note of the 27th of March ,1856,
addressed to the Ministers of France and England.
This project, which received the full approbation of
Lord Clarendon, reposes on the complete adminis-
trative separation of the provinces of the Roman
States situated between the Adriatic, the Po, and
the Appenines, and the development in those pro-

* See Slue Seok 411618 on the affairs of Italy.

" By summing them up, it appears that, in our
opinion, the danger of a war or revolution would
be warded off, and the Italian question, at least
temporarily, solved by the following changes :
"By obtaining from Austria—not in virtue of
treaties, but in the name of the princi pies of huma-
nity and of eternal justice—a national and separate
government for Lombardy and Venetia.
" By requiring, in conformity with the letter and
spirit of the Treaty of Vienna, that the domination
of Austria over the States of Central Italy should
cease, and, consequently, that the detached forts
constructed outside the walls of Placentia should
be destroyed ; that the Convention of the 24th of
December, 1847, should be annulled ; that the occu•
pation of the Romagna should cease ' • and that the
principle of non-intervention should be proclaimed
and respected.
"By inviting the Dukes of Modena and Parma
to give to their people institutions similar to those
existing in Piedmont, and that the Grand Duke of
Tuscany should re-establish the constitution to
which he had freely consented in 1848.

" By obtaining from the Sovereign Pontiff the
administrative separation of the provinces beyond
the Appenines, in conformity with the propositions
communicated in 1856 to the Cabinets of London
and Paris.

" May England obtain the realisation of these
conditions ! Italy, relieved and pacified, will bless
her; and Sardinia, who has so often invoked her
co-operation and assistance in favour of her unfor-
tunate fellow-countrymen, will vow to her an im-
perishable gratitude."