Smyrna times., 1859-10-27
FOreign FOreb0dings.

Our foreign dispatches, says the Boston Jour
. nal, continue to wear more and more om
nous look. There is the diplomatic question
and then there is the question Of arms. 1t II
generally assumed that the Conference at Zu
rich has nearly reached the limits of It's labors
Three sets of treaties are announced as the re-
suit, namely, papers to be signed between
France and Austria, between France and Sar-
DINA, and between the three powers. The
terms thus settled have not transpired; but II
is doubtful if they relate to much more than
the transfer of Lombardy to Sardinia-the ap-
portionment of the debt, the fixing of the boun-
daries, &C., &c. The other grave matters out
lined in the Villafranca agreement, such as the
disposal of Central Italy and the construction
of an Italian Confederation, are left to a Euro
pean Congress-. We cannot learn whether
these were seriously taken in hand by the di-
plomatists at Zurich, but if they were, it must
have been quickly ascertained that they were
too complicated and momentous for any such
secondary tribunal.
In an active sense, the Italian question, so
far as 1t now remains unsettled, is at the dispo-
sal only of the Italian people themselves, but
its result must be either anticipated or ratified
by the governments of Europe. If congress,
therefore, is to be called at present, the basis
on which it will assemble becomes alI-impor-
tant. In this connection a recent declaration
Of Lord John Russell is emiuently satisfactory.
He stated at Aberdeen on the 29th ult., that
the English government would soemnly pro-
test against any interference by foreign force
to prevent the people of Central Italy from
having their own government and conducting
their affairs as they like; - and that England
would have no part in any congress which
should allow of such interference. This position
of Great Britain, thus authortavely announced
by the head of the Foreign Office, is just, time
ly, and of great practical value.
Still, there seems 10 be indications all over
Europe that no agreements and no diplomacy
are relied upon to settle the present crisis
We learn of agents from the French, Austrian
ana SarIinian governments all seeking tenders
from the English iron founders for the manufac-
ture Of rifed cannon. The reduction of the
French armament seems to have been only in
name. The men remain in the ranks, not
ship has been dismantled, and the forts and
dockyards are nearly as busy as before the out
break of the last war. Austria is scarcely be.
hindhand in the same line of preparation. Italy,
of course, is full of ferment. The Papal gov
ernment, no doubt aided by Austria, is getting
ready TO subiugate the ROmagna, and, it is re.
ported, has dismissed the Sandman minister
The government of the latter is actively en-
ployed, not only for its own preparations for
war, but in assisting in the orgaRzation of the
defense of Central Italy, which eagerly musters
under the standard of Sardinia. Garibaldi has
issued warlike address to the people of the
Legations. With these swiftly accumulatiDg
signs Of trouble, therefore, it needs but little in
discretion or a chance collision to precptate
war much larger and more extended than
that from which Italy has just emerged. If
once bugun, it will have TO continue until some
decisive result is Notwithstanding in which
the parties shall rest either in satisfaction or
hopeless despair But we do trust that blood
shed may yet be averted BY the efforts of fair.
minded men in all the nations concerned, being
satisfied that peace may be very defective,
but at the same time infinitely preferable to the
multiplied calamities of even a successful war.