The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, W DN -

SECRET DESPATCHES OF IHE ITA LI AN

GOVERNMENT.

The publication of the secret telegraphic de-
spatches which, while publicly professing to dia-

...
countenance the Garibaldian invasion of the Papal

States, the Italian Government sent to its official
agents, ordering them to assist in every possible

manner the lawless invaders, has done more to

damage the character of public men, and to lower
respect for authority, than any administrative act
yet perpetrated by the Revolution in Italy. Were

the motive for the publication of these dishonour-
able secret instructions not known, it would be
set down to sheer cynical effrontery ; but, as it
is, the motive is disgraceful enough, and shows
to what lengths, forgetful of public decency and
the honoin of their country, the statesmen of revo-
lutionary Italy will carry their bitter and jealous
rivalry. Menabrea, on succeeding to office, knew
no means better calculated, as he conceived, to in-
jure his rival, Rattazzi, than by showing up his
double-faced, dishonourable policy, for almost up
to the last moment that he was in office the public
despatches which he sent to the Prefects, in ac-
cord with his diplomatic declarations to France,
insisted upon the strict observance of the Conven-
tion, and the consequent necessity of disarming the
followers of Garibaldi; whilst in his private tele-
graphic despatches he ordered these same Prefects
not only to place no obstacle in their way, but to
assist the invasion with arms, money, and men.
Menabrea taxed Rattazzi in the Chamber with his
double-faced dealings, and threatened him with
the publication of his secret instructions. Rattazzi,
stung to the quick by these taunts and threats,
challenged the production of these despatches.
He considered himself safe, since, to prevent detec-
tion, as he, thought, before leaving office he had
destroyed these secret communications between
himself and his subordinates. Moreover, he did not
apparently believe that Menabrea would have the
audacity, even if he had the means, to carry his
threat into execution. But the present head of the
Italian Government was more than a match for his
angry rival. By searching the telegraph offices
copies of the telegraphic despatches, which had
passsed between the late Government and its offi-
cials, were discovered and published. The revenge
of the Minister in power was complete over his dis-
comfited rival; but, in the meantime, an indelible
stain is affixed to the character of public men in
Italy. Of course Rattazzi may plead in extenua-
tion that he only follows the traditional policy of
the Revolution, which stops at no means, however
dishonourable, in the pursuit of its object ; and
that, had his policy been successful, he would
have been held in as high an esteem as was
Cavour, whose public conduct was not one whit
less immoral ; but, being crowned with success,
there was no rival in a position to make known the
fraud, the duplicity, and the shameless lying, by
means of which he succeeded in carrying the Italian
Revolution to its present issue.
The tone of political morality is so low in Revo •
lutionary Italy, that the disclosure of his menda-
city and trickery has not so damaged Rattazzi as
to make it impossible for him again to aspire to
office. On the contrary the party of action, the ene-
mies of the Temporal Power, look upon him as a
man after their own heart, as one who is not afraid
to adopt any means, however base and wicked, to
attain his ends. He is become in their minds a
worthy son of Cavour, and the man whom the
Revolution must take as a leader if it ever is, in
spite of France, to gain possession of Rome.
In another column, we have published the most
characteristic of these official despatches ; and, re-
calling to mind the public declarations and the
diplomatic assurances given to France that the
Italian Government were using every means at
their command to uphold the Convention, we can-
not but think that the publication will, in the pub-
lic opinion of Europe, do much
bbtlthiuosatht.discreditsele:ns
wn aostthttooe
political morality of revolutionary governments.
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The friends of the Revolution in England deplore
the publication of these secret transactions. The
Times says they were nevermeant for public in-
spection, and that the secret means which the
Italian Government made use of ought not to
have been made known out of motives of petty
spite.

King Victor Emmanuel in his speech on New
Year's Day declared that the only hope for Italy
was in the concord of its sons; if that be the hope
of Italy, the spirit which the party of action dis-
plays shows on how rotten a foundation this only
hope rests. Never was disunion greater, never was
public spirit, the essence of which is self-denial,
less. The Chamber, like the country, is split into
small parties, each intent on personal ends. Re-
venge, ambition, vanity, prompt every measure
that is brought forward, influence the action of
each of the numerous sections into which the Cham-
ber is divided. Government is fast becoming im-
possible, and, in the meantime, the country is
sinking into a state of hopeless bankruptcy.
Anarchy is springing up on all sides. Piedmont is
jealous, and its political representatives hold aloof
from the Government. Naples is discontent to the
backbone. Sicily is in a state of almost perma-
nent revolt. Venice protests against a Govern-
ment which has only brought it dishonour and bank-
ruptcy. Never was Italian Unity more hollow than
at the present moment. The dissolution of the ill-
jointed and ill-assorted kingdom seems to be the
most likely issue of its present deplorable state.
Rome alone, under the Pope-King, is united and
strong in confidence and peacefulness. The sub-
jects of the Pope have shown by their conduct,
their true and steadfast loyalty. They have no de.•
sire to exchange a priestly for a revolutionary Go-
vernment, or to see Victor Emmanuel, or Gari-
baldi, or Mazzini, installed in the Vatican. —West-
minster Gazette.

THE SECRET DESPATCHES OF THE
um...IAN GOVERNMENT.
No. 1.

The Secretary General of the Interior to the
Prefect of Ancona.

" Sept. 27, 1867.
" The Minister understands that General Gari-
baldi is preparing a movement in the Pontifical
States. In any case you will keep an eye on his
actions, and in the meantime will place 6,000 lire
at his disposition, which will be immediately re-
paid you." 4

No. 2.
The Same to the Same.

" Sept. 30,
.1867.

" Find some means to obtain the 6,000 lire from
the treasurer or some other person. To-morrow
you will receive a cheque on the Treasury in pay-
ment."

No. 19.
The Same to the Same.

The Questor of Genoa to the Minister of the
Interior.

" Genoa, Oct. 10, 1867.

" Captain Giovanni Fontana asks leave to send
to the frontier 300 rifles which he has to dispose
of, of course by a cautious and secret channel ; and
has also asked me to give him a hundred of the
guns last sequestrated, and which are in my office."

Answer from the Minister of the Interior.

" Let the 300 rifles be sent; restore the other
100 to their owners. Use the greatest caution and
secrecy."

No. 37.
Director of Police (General) to the Questor of

Genoa.

" Florence, Oct. 15. 1867.

" I beg you to grant immediate transport gratis
in the railways to the above destination to the in-
dividuals who have been indicated to you for this
purpose by the Advocate Enrico Bruoscho and Cap-
tain Giovanni Fontana."

[Six hundred third-class places were given from
Genoa to Terni, corresponding with the list given
by telegram.]

~
No. 38. IN
To the Prefect of Reggio, 91abria.
" Florence, Oct. 16, 1861.
" The Government cannot prevent -the meeting
as long as it maintains the limits of legality.
" We wish that it should speak of the wounded
as well as of the insurgents, and that the local jour-
nals should not make too much noise on such mat-
ters. " MoNzA.Ni."

No. 39.
To the Secretary General to the Minister of the

Interior.

" Perugia, Oct. 16.

" The volunteers, commanded by Menotti Gari-
baldi, have taken Monte Maggiore. An immense
number of volunteers are pouring into Terni. The
night train from Florence has brought in 500. it
would be as well that a stop were put to such an
overplus. " The Prefect GADDA."
No. 40.

The Prefect of Cuneo to the Secretary of the
Minister of the Interior.
" Cuneo, Oct. 17.

" Yesterday 20 emigrants disappeared from
Saluzzo. It is believed they went to Turin. I
have given orders for their arrest. I let you know,
as I believe the greater part of the emigration
has a similar intention."
Answer to the Prefect of Cuneo.
"Florence, Oct. 17.

" The Ministry does not consider it necessary to
proceed with rigour against the Roman Emigrants
who abandon their residence. Be good enough
to revoke the orders given in your despatch of
this morning.
__ " MONZANI."

No. 42.
To the Sub-Prefect of Terni.
" Florence, Oct. 17.

"If you have a trustworthy person, send him
instantly to Chirilli, and let him know that he is
to abstain from every act that would compromise
the Government. To impose a tax is an odious
measure. We beg him to proceed with modera,
Lion and prudence. MONZANI."

No. 45.
To the Minister Rattazzi.
" Passo-Carrese, Oct. 18.

" An isolated column has been taken prisoner at
Nerola. There is great want of a central direction
in the provinces, without which an internal move-
ment is impossible. A concentric impulse is neces-
sary to support the insurgent column. Rome
requires this.
" The Political Delegate, BUGLIELLI."