Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-27
Sudden Close of the War in Italy.

very general surprise has been created
by the news from Europe brought by the
North Briton. Its most startling feature is
that treaty Of peace has been signed be-
tween the belligerent powers, in personal i'll
terview between the Emperors Of France and
Austria. lnasmuch as the armstce was
only signed on the Sth of July, and that on
the 10th, Napoleon. in ANNOUNCING the ar
mistice tu his soldiers, declared his purpose
Of returning To Paris. while the despatch ALI
nuuncing the conclusion of the basis Of peace,
is dated July IL, the amirable proposition
must have been suddenl made, and as sud
den y accepted.
1t is beyond denial that on the part of the
friends, both European and American OF the
Italian cause, the basis OF the treaty is not
regarded with satisfaction. As briefly stated
in the Emperor's desputch to the Empress,
that oasis embraces the following pnrticu
lars the Italian states are t. be formed iut"
Il c"ntederacy, under the 'honnrary presiden-
cy" Of the Pope; Austria is To cede Lmbardy
to France, with the understanding that it Is
t" be transferred to the Hing of Sardinia,
and become part of his kingdom; while Ven
Ice is Ia be retained 10y Austria, but un y
with u qualified po>sessnn, it having u luce
in the Italian Confederation. Napoleon Ill.
redeems his pledge given to Eurupean pow
ers that France would acquire u" territory
by the war. As II com llment Ia the real
victor. and us the course least humilating To
the vanquished, Lombardy is assigned to
France, and Sardinia receives it from her
and not from Austria. So that Napoleon's
promise is fulfilled, and rs far is possible the
feelings OF Francis Joseph are spared.
But when We come to the other provisions
of this treaty of peace, their satisfactory char
acter is less general. The letter OF Louis
Napoleuns promises in relation to the lIbcr
alton OF Italy is apparently violated. We
Use the word apparently" because in our
judgment very much depends in this relation
upon the exact meaning to be given u the
expression "honorary Presidency" of the
Pope. Leaving that expression for the pre-
sent out Of consideration, We repeat that the
Emperor of France does not seem to have
achieved all he promised when he entered
upon the war. Venice is rs much Il part Of
Italy rs Lombardy is; and it is further the
stronghold of Austria in Italy, for there are
her fortified places. These she retains, and
by means of these can maintain firm hold
and exercise her despotic will over Venice.
This is the broader, general view OF the terms
of the treaty, and if there were no qualica-
tons OF restrictions, the power OF Austria
over this portion of Italy, would be even more
absolute than ever.
But the cession of Venice to Francis Joseph
is not unqualified 1t does not become IL
part of his Empire. He is to be not Empe
ror, but King, of Venice, and that not all
soutely but with limitation. Venice is To
be u member of the Conledrrauy of Italy,
aud Francis Joseph, o. its owner and ruler.
is but to have voice in the conledrratcd
councils with other Italian rulers princes
or Kings Ii all this is done in good faith
the Emperor of Austria tenure of Venice iS
little more than nominal for doubtless guar
antees will he taken for his adhesion, IN King
of Venice, to the Italian Confederation, and
his continued assent that it shares fully In
whatever advantages accrue from conlrder-
ated government.
And now as tn the nature and value at the
promised boon to the Italian States They
are to be formed into Cuntederacy "under
the Pope az honoya,y President" what are
known as the States of the Church." inclu
ded. The anomalous position thus assigned
u tue rope IN Pr"Dapiy compromises 'n'
Emperor of FRANCE being DESTROYS to denude
him of temporal power and thr tmpsr"r of
Austria pleading for the abandonment Of
such purpose, and the meaning Of the Ian
guage 1.-THE word 'honnrary' being tautol'gi.
cal) is that the Pope shall stand at the head
of the confederacy, but that the actual gov
ernment--the power of making and enforcing
laws-shall rest with the representatives Of
the states in congress or council assembled.
We do not see any other natural or reasona
bic Interpretation of the Language Of the de
spsirh announcing the basis OF the treaty Of
peace.
Surprising this view of the matter 10 he
correct, Louis Napoleon has probably re-
deemed his promise on behalf of Italy 50
far as it was in his pawer. ~ !. Comm.