The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-17
foreisn Mliseellann.
Ero,n The London Times.

place IN Central Italy should occur, Without full and
frank communications on the subject To all friendly
powers if not 10 the world at large, from the go
vernmenls principally concerned. These commu.
ncalions are destined to assign legitimate motives
10 remove suspicious, 10 define the object of such
military expeditions, and to set bounds TO their ul-
terror results. So II was that when the government
of Charles X. was preparing the expedition which
laid The basis of the French domination in Africa,
Lord Aberdeen instructed The British Ambassador
al Paris 10 obtain from M de Polgnac distinct
explanation of the intentions of his government
The answer given TO Lord Stuart de Roihesay
Was satisfactory, far il went, but was YER
bal answer. The French government declared that
II was resolved solely TO obtain redress oran insult
and TO effect the suppression of piracy IN the Med-
terranean but that NJ further steps would be taken
with vleW to occupation OF the African coast
without further reference to the other powers.
The revolution of July occurred Immediately after
this conquest; Louis Philippe repudiated the YER
bal assurances of his predecessor; Lord Aberdeen
went out of office, and Lord Palmerston appears
never to have reminded the French government Of
its engagements until many years afterwards, when
his forbearance active participation in their policy
had degenerated into the most acrimonious hostility
He then thought fit to produce the papers, but it
was of course too late 10 make any further remon-
STRANGE on that acquisition.
The present case of the expedition against Rome
is somewhat analogous 1t differs from the enter
prise of 1890, inasmach as the French government
has not been pressed TO give any explanation at all
of this more unprovoked aggression ; but it re-
sembes il in the total indifference to the result
which Lord Palnerston has shown in both in
stances, because he happened in both instances to
be IN the honeymoon Of French alliance. As for
the dispatches of M. Drouynde Lhuys which have
been produced, they are in way addressed to the
Ministers OF tins country they constitute en-
gagement on the part Of France, and they demon
strate nothing but the extraordinary faacies under
which the French cabinet seems to have been
laboring. Before, however, we proceed to consider
these documents. we beg leave TO recapitulate the
numerous inconsistencies and mistakes in the state
ments made TO Parliament which have thrown us
into the utmost perplexty.
When first the subject was brought before the
House of Lords by Lord Aberdeen, we were in
formed that some communications had passed be-
tween the French and British governments with
reference to the Roman expedition, but that no
communication whatever had been received from
Austria Ii turned out shortly afterwards that
Lord Lansdowne in giving this assurance had been
directly misinformed. Several days before this
discussion occurred, Count Colloredo had read 10
Lord Palmerston, by order of his court, despatch,
giving full account Of the intentions of Austria in
The Papal States, and with reference TO the whole
Italian question If we correctly informed,
copy of that despatch was offered 10 the foreign
quenty 10 the mac urate statement IN the House of
Lords that copy sent, explanation took
place, and Lord Lansdowne FASTENED TO correct the
error. With regard to the French communication.
II was long before we could ascertain whether il
was verbal or in writing, direct or indirect. At
length II has been produced, and proves to be in
the form of instructions to the French agents at
Vienna and Gaeta, which were read to Lord Pal
merston copy was given, but not by order of
the French minister. No despatch at all is yet
known TO have passed between the two govern
ments. The mere showing of instructions is an act
of courtesy, and no more, for they may be altered,
revoked, even accompanied by secret instructions
of different nature. As to the Austrian commu-
nication, Lord Lansdowne again stated on Thurs
day, that mo record of it was in existence"
yet he afterwards surmised that Lord Aberdeen
must have it, the fact being thai the Austrian
Ambassador had read despatch just as much as
the French agent; and at length Lord Lansdowne
consented To produce this very Austrian despatch,
which he said had been presented in form since he
had last spoken the subject All this is very
odd and very perplexing What imaginable mo-
i've there be for such suppression and evasions
of public information IL may not be expedient
10 publish to the world documents disclosing the
policy of foreign governments, and on that point
ministers exercise broad discretion; but in mat
ters nearly affecting the greatest interests Of
Europe, we have right TO know that the govern
ment has obtained complete information and effec-
tual assurances from other States and that the exist
enee Of such engagements should be established
beyond all doubt.
We cannot say that the instructions 20 M Drown
de Lhuys' own agents, which were communicated
TO the British Cabinet by the despatch of the 18th
April, fulfil any Of these conditions. They are, as
Lnrd Aberdeen tmphatIcally DESERVED them to be,
''stuf" The allegation that the French Govern
ment had resolved to send body Of troops 10 Cira
Vetehia a fasehood and blind to Austria and
10 England. Their destination was Rome The
assumption thai the Roman Republic was about to
Call might he probable AT the time bot if any thing
could give p-rmanence TO that COVE ument II was
the merit Of ils defence against this invasion. The
iniimatlon 10 the Pope that he was 10 be brought
back 10 r me with French liberal manifesto is al
variance wh the IN Imation that Pho TX. was not
be constrained to adopt this that form ofgoyen
ment on the recovery Of his power Lastly, the
paragraph which deprecaies the march Of the Aus
trans on Bologna a step which, however use
less with regard TO her serious interests, would
serve but 20 dlsquIet and excite mems minds" Is
infinitely more applicable 10 the very expedition
which this despatch Processes TO Justify. Since the
date Of this communication the whole character Of
the Intervention has been changed. A column Of
5000 men has swollen into an army Of 10000
or 40 900. Rome las been invested for two months
and cannonaded for eighteen days. The Roman
Triumvirs have not capiuated, though the enemy
is within the walls and the restoration Of the Pope
is only be effected, If at all, by Of violence
bloodshed, and destruction, which the Ponnf has
uniformly prohibited and disayowed Il Is need
less TO eXpaiiate on these facts; they are known,
and they are Judged amongst US; what more imme-
dialey concerns the policy Of this country is the
incredible want Of any adequate explanation Of the
most considerable military expedition which has
quilted the shores OF France since the peace, and
The equal want Of any evidence that the motives OF
this expedition have been keenly investigated, or
that the outrageous results TO which it has led the
French army have been firmly opposed by the gov
ernmen Of this country Ii would be easy to pro-
duce numerous instances Of far less moment in
0hich the remonsuances OF the government Of Eng.
land have been strongly expressed, and by no one
more strongly than by Lord Palmerston.
tn. IUiu IN, p,.It