The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-19
The War in Italy,

From the London Times, March -
The termination of the armistce concluded last
year between the Austrian and Pledmontese armies
has been determined upon by the existing Sardi-
man government, land the courier who conveyed the
formal announcement of this hostile resolution to
the headquarters of Marshal Radetzky, left Turin
on the evening of the 18th instant. We have no
doubt that the full influence of the mediating
powers was employed at Turin, to avert determi-
taken it, SO insulting to Austria, and so discredi-
table to our own Intervention. The armistce was
granted by Marshal Radetzky upon the most libe-
raj terms, at the intercession of the medlatlng
powers, at a moment when nothing could have pre-
vented the imperial forces from advancing to Turin
and debating in the walls of that capital, such
peace would have punished the presumption of
their recent assal!ant, and thrown upon Sardinia
| tives of England and of France succeeded in in
| duclng the Austrian commander to abstain from
pressing upon fallen aggressOr and from securing
by treaty of peace the fruits of his victory, they
evidently contracted strong moral obligation that
this truce should be employed to some better pur-
pose than TO reiit broken army, and prepare for
the horrors folies of ii fresh campaign. But
such the lnfatuatIon of the Italian party. that
this very convention of General Salasco which
saved the north OF Italy from instant occupation,
was received with indignation by the people; and
from that hour TO the present, the Sandman GO
ycmment has gone TO hold the language of
aggression and defiance. This disposition of the
popular party at Turin, was encouraged by the nju-
dcious pledges held out them by foreign powers.
They were led to expect that terms such Charles
Albert could only have dictated on the ruins of
Verona, with French army at his back, would
still be obtained after the signal defeat of his
troops, by invinclble diplomacy at Brussels
This paerng with the absurd pretcnsons of the re-
yolutlonary party in Italy, has tended still further to
avert the sanitary reflections which might other
wise have apprlsed them %! their real situations and
the King OF SARDINIA, who must be completely
of the hopeless state of his cause, and of his
military resources, is again compelled to abandon
himself and his house 10 torrent which neither
the obligations of public faith the paines rules
ofpohcy can at all restrain. Under these circum-
stances, and after tins total disregard of the advice
which has been rendered to HIM by France and
England, as much IN his own interest as IN that of
nope, we hope that those powers will acknow-
ledge IT to be part o their duty well of their
dignity To withdraw their support altogether from
government which they cannot deter from the most
exravagant and reprehcnsible actions. The war
in Italy, then, begins without doubt again, and it
must be remembered that II the Austrian govern
ment have shown little inclination to surrender at
discretion to Lord Palmerston's proposals, there
has been, on the part of the dominant faction IN
SARDINIA, no ntimatlon whatever OF "A sincere de
sire for a firm and lasting peace. They have not
even respected the terms of the annlscc. On the
contrary, they have kept up an lncessanf clamor
for the renewal of hostilitles, and we question If
amy thing short of another abortve campaign will
convince them OF their error On the present occl-
sion, however the war must rccommence under
altered circumstances, and will probably extend to
wider field. The whole of Central Italy, in
cuuihg ne states OF the thurch and the Grand
Duchy of Tuscany, is in the hands of men even
more deeply committed to war with Austria than
to internal democratic revolutions. The indepen-
dcncc Of Italy has been that portion of the war-cry
OF the Italian republicans which has excited the
greatest degree OF sympathy in other parts of
Europe, and If the Italian people were really pre-
pared To shed Their blood freely, on fields of battle
for the independence OF their country, they might
make at least respectable defence. But never
was people worse prepared, both morally and
physically, TO engage IN such conflict with one
of the great military powers of Europe. The 90
vernments which have sprung into existence at the
call Of mob, or by the ntrigues of secret conspi-
racy are totally destitute of ali pecuniary resources
except those they may eStou by the plumber of
museums and forced contributions the rich
Above all, they destitute OF the confidence of
the people, in whose name they have invested them
selves with supreme power. With The exception
Of the Pcdmontcse army, there is no force in the
country to resist the march OF an Austrian column;
with the exception of the Piedmonese iortresses
ot Alessandrla and Genoa, there are no POSITIONS IN
tate Of defence capable of arcstIng the progress
Ct Radetzky and bis lieutenanfs In Florence and
Rome there crowds Of officers pratng in the
cafes, but lao men ready Tor the iieid-drum5 and
smart uniforms, but no drill The renewal of the
Wal on the part Of the Sandman government can