New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-11
ITALY-TURkEi.

ITALY-TURKEY.
Careful readers must have been struck with
the immense disparity in magnitude between
the recent insurrectionary movement in Lom-
hardy and the repressive or retributive meas
ures based upon it By the Austrian masters OF
that crushed yet beautiful country. Accord
ing to the most reliable accounts, the insurrec-
ton was uncomfortable in character and ex-
tent according to the Austrian official state
ment, it scarcely attained the dignity of a riot.
Yet for this Milan is held under rigorous mar
tial law, and subjected to oppressive Military
contributions, the arbitrary closing of all places
Of public entertainment, the Introduction OF
gatherings (however casuaD in the streets or
elsewhere, the closing Of the Swiss frontier,
&c, all pontedly cOntradicting the Austrian
representation that the outbreak was OF foreign
origin, and that the resident Milanese had no
part in it. For surely, if this we're the truth,
the seventies to which they have since been
and are now subjected are alike unjust aud I'M
called for tyrannical and preposterOus.
The truth doubtless is that, though not many
Italians were actually and openly engaged in
the insurrectiOn, the great body Of them hear
tiy sympathised with those who initiated it and
wished them all manner of success. They did
nOt actually take arms, but they stood ready
to seize them the moment success should ap-
pear probable, or even possible. And, while it
is hardly allowable at this day to shoot or hang
citizens for defiant looks and ominous mutter-
ipgs, yet it is the obvious duty of a military
commandant to take note Of them and act with
reference to the state Of feeling they discover.
Besides, there is great force in the suggestion
Of one of our London correspondents, that
Radetsky was glad Of chance for levying the
heaviest fines on all property-owners, and of
thus filling his Golfers in the most summary and
easy manner.
But that Italy, or at least LOmbardy, is
an uneasily slumberng yolcano-that the great
mass of the People are intensely hostile TO
Austrian domination and resolved on its over
throw at the earliest practicable moment
that the Austrians themselves are fully aware
ofthis and act upon their knowledge-so much
is demonstrated by the recent measures Of
repression, retribution and precauton enacted
at Milan and its neighborhOod. And these
facts shed light on the great Oriental problem
Austria, backed by Russia, threatens Turkey :;
and il is believed by many observers that the
extinction Of Mussulman power in Europe is
at hand-that the present year, being the iO0th
anniversary of the siege and capture Of Con-
stantinople and the overthrow Of the Greek
Empire, will witness the downfall of the Of
toman dynasty or at least its expulsion from
the European continent. We do not say that
this is impossible but the notorious disaffec-
ten of Hungary and Italy toward Austria
must seriously embsrrass the councils Of the
Imperial conspirators If the blow is to be
struck this year, il were better aimed by the
Autocrat alone (even though the spoils are in
some sort to be divided) than by him in open
conjunction with bis Hapsburg vassal. Let
Francis Joseph act as his head policeman in
charge of the balance of Europe while he full
fills the long cherished dream of Russian am
bition by extending his dominion TO the Bos-
porus; but any ostensible participation of
Austria in the foray will arouse energies and
quicken sense Of wrong among the Nations
subject TO Austrian domination which viii very
probably prove disastrous to both Empires.
Hungary and Italy but await the signal that
the hour has struck signal which viii be
hailed in the first gun fired by Austria in the
direction Of Constantnople.
How seriously the crisis is regarded at St.
Petersburg, is proved by the name Of the per-
sonage who, according 10 the last alvices, has
been selected by the Gar, as bis extraordinary
envoy TO Constantinople. This parsonage is
Prince Menchikofi, former Imperial Minister
Of the Marine. The Prince, who is now above
COTS man of great force and energy of charac-
ter, and enjoys at ST. Petersburg the reputa-
ton of possessing the very highest abilities,
and Of standing prominent in the first rank of
Russian. Statesmen and diplomatists. He is
distinguished among the Russian nobility by
having received thorough education at the
Universities of Germany, most of the great
men Of bis country having received thorough
education nowhere. he is proud aud naughty
man, is respected BY the Emperor and his fam
lily, and is devoured by ambition which burns
for the opportunity of distinction in foreign
affairs, such as Nesselrode and Orlof have ac-
quired before him. None of the Russian
grandees is more exclusively a Russian in all
hisfeelings, none is more earnestly partisan
of monarchical Legitimacy. none has more bit.
ter hatred for the democracy and demagogues,
that were last defeated in the downfall Of Hun.