The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-11
The English Opinion of the French Inter
ventlOn Ia the Affairs OF Rome.
[From the London Times April 1911

We are by no means surprised that the con-
ference OF the Catholic powers at Gaeta, and the
present crisis in Central Italy, have ended in the
resolution of the French government to despatch
their long-projected expedition to Civita Vecchia.
Many months have now Iapsed since General
Cavalgnac sent M. de Co.aelles 10 Rome. TO offer
the supper; of the French republic to his Holiness
the Pope; and the detachmcnt of troops which had
been collected for the same purpose by NJ Guizot's
government, IN the year 1917, was then OH the
point of setting sail. The appearance of that rein
forcement on the coast of Italy before the oath of
November, would have prevented the deplOrable
scenes which have since occurred but the flight
of the Pope rendered all immediate interference
eral Cavaignac and his friends in defence Of the
Roman pontif partook largely of the nature of
an electoral puff Upon the accession of Louis
Napoleon to the Presidency Of the republic,
ference of Brussels would furnish some means
of restoring peace to Central Italy, by the
forces of the Piedmontese government under Clio
BERT and by those of the King of Naples. This
delusion. was soon dissipated, but upon the re-
newal of the war by Charles Albert the French
cabinet thought the state of public opinion too
critical to allow 1t to act openly against the Italian
revolution, and to declare itself adverse to cause
which was the assailant of Austria. The defeat
OF the Piedmontese army materially lessened the
forces OF which the Italian governments could
themselves dispose for the attainment of this OBJ
Ject; and the instruction OF Genoa demonstrated
at the same time that these forces were never more
urgently required. Upon this state of things the
decision of the French government seems to have
been taken. But however consistent this measure
may be with prudent and pacific policy, M. Odil-
Ion Barrot was evidently embarrassed in his de-
fence OF It, The true motives of the determine
ton of the French government were not those
which they thought IT convenient to avow to the
Assembly; and the facts they did assign as rea-
son for their interference were not stated with
complete accuracy. We have no evidence that
"Austria pursues the consequences of her VIC
tory" at least not In hostile sense nor has she
',.availed herself of the rights Of. war towards
those States which were more or less engaged in
the late contest between herself and Sardinia"
On the contrary, the cabinet of Vienna has rat-
fed the armistce as it was originally signed
OF the Austrian cabinet for the expenses of the
two campaigns Is something less than three
millions sterlng-.a very moderate fine for SO great
an outrage Nor Is 1t true, as stated by General
Lamoricere, that the Austrlans are masters of
Bologna and if they have entertained the design
OF marching upon Florence, we may hope that the
counter-revOlution which is said to have been ef-
fectcd there by the spontaneous repentance of the
efectualy than host of foreign bayones. We
have constantly deprecated intervention, from a
conviction that these republics would collapse
from their own rottenness and incapacity; and we
the opportunity to slip by, which alone rendered
such an Intervention desirable. 1t is by no means
improbable that before the French expedition
reaches Civita Vecchla, the miserable usurpation
case General Oudinot would have no sufficient
excuse for the occupation OF point in the Papal
dominions.
ton of the French National Assembly, the govern
ment OF Louis Napoleon will acknowledge that
France has, in this question, no interests opposed
to the views OF the present government Of Austria.
The cause which these two governments have
taken in hand is evidently the same; and the best
security for the execution of this duty, in spirit of
moderation and of peace, is the concurrence OF the
only two great States between which the prolonged
disturbances in Italy might have given rise to more
hostile sentiments. The French republic cannot
be reasonably or nghtfully suspected of any ntcn-
ton OF restoring the abuses OF the old ecclesiastical
government of the Popes and we have no doubt
that the French auxilaries OF Plus IL sincerely
DESTROYS of giving his subjects the benefits OF that
constitution which they. have so foolishly and
wickcdly abused Nor is it to be supposed that
the interference of Austria, under her present
rulers, is intended TO restore the exploded lumber
OF Prince Mettcrnich's police. The real desire
both of Austria and France can only be to render
the experiment of constitutional liberty possible in
Italy, by supplying the governments with that force
TO resist the absurdity and extravaganza of the
troops and the energy Of the middle classes un.
happily have not hitherto afforded.
The republics of Rome and Florence, and the
last attempt at mob government in Genoa have,
the unity and political capacity of the Italian peo-
pie. For many ages, scarcely. any part OF the
world has lived under so frghtful an anarchy and
in such complete insecurity Of life and property as
that which has prevailed since last November, in
Tuscany and the Roman. States Conspirators,
who had grown gray in deylsng schemes hem u IT,, to-
reign lands for the emancipation OF Italy and The
reeeneratIon of mankind, were suddenly put to
the task of practical government. Not one of
them could raise months revenue from any other
source than the spoliatIon Of the rich or the pagc
of the beautiful-not one OF them could drill bat
TALON TO stand fire-not one of them could govern
by any but the most vulgar expedients of violence
and terror. Yet such is the state Of Italy, that even
to shake off these contemplate tyrants, she seemed
10 need the assistance of foreign army
Under such circumstances as these, 1t would be
unworthy OF this country to affect jealousy of the
confornnlafc I'D hu the Erennh