The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-13
Ampending Struggle In Europe-Lora
Cowboys Nussaon to Vienna.

~WAeyS nussa0n TO VIENNA
1t would appear from their declarations in
Parliament, given elsewhere, that the English
Ministry anticipate favorable conclusion to
Lord Cowley's mission. The character of his in
structions does not appear, and we are left in the
dark as to whether the proposition to be made
py him covers more than the single point EN-.
oraced In Louis Napoleon's recent speech-the
evacuation of Central Italy Whether 1t touches
the grievances complained of by Sardinia or
seeks general settlement of the Italian Difficult
nes-that is to say, so far as the consent of Aus
tria is concerned-will, we suppose, only trans
pre- when the success or failure of the negotiation
is known.
In the meanwhile, the Paris correspondent of
the Russian journal LIE Nord, in recent letter to
that paper, makes rather curious statement
de says that the Duke of Coburg is charged to
negotiate the following arrangement of the Ro.
man question:-That the French and Austrian
troops shall evacuate central Italy; that an army
from Spain-the next Catholic Power in impor-
tance-shall then occupy Rome and maintain
order in the States Of the Pope until their re-
organization shall have been decided upon at a
conference of the leading Powers There is an air
OF gTasseT"6ldmce in this which almost warrants
the belief that Lord Cowley is entrusted with
some such project of arrangement. It is well
known that the Derby Cabinet are nervously
anxious to have the Roman question defnitively
settled, for from that quarter and from Naples
the only real dangers to the tranquility of
Europe are at present to be apprehended
Neither 1gland nor Prussia can regard the
withdrawal OF the Austrian troops from Central
Italy as permanent solution of the question
for they well know that such result, unaccom-
panied by further guarantees, would only pave
the way for the projects of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
which Louis Napoleon and Victor Emmanuel have
in contemplation.
Speculation on this point, however, is useless.
The Pope has declared that he will allow of no
interference by the other Powers with the go
vernment of his dominions, and there can be no
doubt that in this he is prompted by Aus
tria, which thus shifts from her own
shoulders the onus of refusing this portion of the
recommendations Of the mediatory governments,
sunrsosing it TO have been offered. Whether it
has been made Or not, the declaration Of Cardinal
Antonelli shows that the Roman and Austrian
governments are decided not to entertain it. So
far. therefore, as the concession of the reforms
demanded on behalf of the subjects of the Penhf
are concerned we may regard it as closed ques-
ton for diplomacy.
With regard to the two other points which may
be embraced in Lord Cowley's instructions, we
can anticipate the course which the Vienna Cabi
net will pursue in reference to them Austria
will not listen to any arrangement involving the
abandonment Of the fortified positions which she
holds on the Piedmontese frontier. She knows that
If she does she gives Sardinia the control Of the
revolutionary element in Italy and imperils the
fate Of her Lombardo-V enetian possessions. That
the mind of Francis Joseph is firmly made up on
this point is to be inferred from the treaty which
he has just concluded with the Duchess of Par
ma, and which gives him the right of occupying
her territory with his troops The only other
point that remains to be disposed of is, whether
Austria will ever consent to evacuate Rome.
On this, notwithstanding the confident hopes ex-
pressed by the British Ministry, we entertain Sc
rious doubts.
Those who remember the crafty diplomacy Of
Austria during the events that led to the Cri-
mean war; will probably like ourselves, feel faith
in her ability to extricate herself from the en-
barrassments in which she is just now placed.
1t will be recollected how she played fast and
loose, and doubled and shifted, in the negotia-
tons that preceded the breaking out of hostili-
ties. From August, 1853, when the first Vienna
note was declined by the Porte down to the
Conference at Olmutz where the Gar tried his
personal influence over the young Emperor
Francis Joseph, she alternately bamboozled
| the allies and the Russian Emperor, hold
| ing the world in the most anxious sus
pense, all the while, as to her intentions
while she was steadily pursuing her own in
terests. 1t is now notorious that she might have
prevented the war altogether; but the game tina,
she was playing was not compatible with such g
result. We have only to count up the gains
which she made by her diplomacy on the Eastern
question to appreciate the motives that influenced
her conduct all through. She isolated Prussia
her rival in the Germanic Confederation, neutral.
lied her influence with the other Europern Pow
ers, drove the Russians from the Danubian Prin.
cipalites favorite object of her policy-and by
her own occupation Of them rendered her infiu.
ence paramount there. By the aid, reluctant as
it was, which she afforded the allies she strength
ened her own position in Italy by rendering the
latter indisposed to interfere there in opposition
to her interests All this she effected without the
loss Of single soldier, and by the agency Of az
interruptions and subtle diplomacy alone.
1t is not likely that, in the isolated and strait
ened position in which she now finds herself, shs
viii forget the valuable experience which sh,
has gained in the Eastern question. If, as it il
believed by some, she is reduced to the alterna
tive, pure and simple, of the evacuation of Cen
tral Italy or of war, she will undoubtedly max