The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-06

THE ITALIAN QUEsTIoN-THE CoNGREss.-The
points Of the Zurich treaty, as given in the cor
respondence Of the London papers, would sp-
pear at first sight unfavorable to the indepen-
dence of the Dnchies It should be recolected
that in the hurried despatch that gives
them the wording Of the different clauses is SO
confused that no definite construction can be
placed on their meaning. Assuming the fifth
clause to be correctly described, it still does
not amount to an undertaking that France will
concur in an armed Intervention to restore the
dethroned princes. Neither does it infringe
the consistency Of the declaration said to have
been made by Louis Napoleon, that he would
not permit such Intervention by another
Power. The treaty, as far as we can under
stand it from the brief summary given of it. is
merely an application in words, without any
material alteration of the terms, of the original
aImistice. Up to certain point the French
Emperor undertakes to unite his good offices
with those of Francis Joseph to effect the OBJ
jects therein specified 1t is not conditioned
that if peaceable efforts fail he is to take up
arms to carry them out, or that he is to be de-
barred from preventing others from en-
ploying force for the same purposes.
The clause in reference to the reforms in
the Pope's civil administration, we think
clearly indicates the limits to which
the Emperor has undertaken to push his
interference with the States Of Central
Italy. If they reject Recommendations urged
in conjunction with Austria, he will stop his
diplomatic efforts, and, as there is reason to be-
lieve, will not visit them very heavily with his
displeasure Hiswhole course, in short, since
the vote Of the assemblies, proves that he will
not be sorry to see the Italian people defeat
those stipulations in the Villafranca treaty to
which be was obliged to give reluctant as
sent.
We see that the London papers, more espe-
pecially the Post, take rather Responding
view Of the cause of Italian independence. We
think all such anticipations premature until we
learn definitely the basis on which the. Con.
gress is to be convened, and the powers that
are to be represented at it. If these are as un-
favorable to the Italians as represented, we
believe that ere this body has held its first Sit
tings the latter will themselves have cut the
knot Of the difficulty.
An OPERATIc SENSATION sensation which
the hn1itufs Of the Academy have been pining
for comes nearly at the end Of season which
has been a very eventful one, although its
events have not been always fortunate for the
manager. The sensation is the new opera,
"the Sicilian Vespers," which is to be pro-
duced on Monday, and sung on every regular
| opera nightnext week. The "vespers' is one of
the latest and strongest of the works of Signor
Verdi, the most popular composer Of the
day. 1t has never yet been produced in
America, though all the managers have talked
about doing it They have been deferred,
without doubt, by the heavy expenditure
required for the mise en- scene. Napoleon UlIman,
however, is not man to be frightened by small
matters and has staked the fate of the season
on this opera, which is to be magnifcently
done. Those who have been admitted to the
rehearsals speak in the highest terms Of the ar
lists to whom the several roles have been al