The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-12


definitely commenced. We have private letter
from London, written on the evening Of the
Goth ultimo by party not likely to DO misin-
formed, which fully confirms the telegraphic ad-
vices by the Adelaide, stating that every resort
Of diplomacy had been exhausted, that the Aus
| tran forces had crossed the Ticino, and Europe
was on the eve of conflict of which no mau
could foresee the results Our dispatches from
| Washington confirm the news.
Beyond all comparison the most important
point in the new contest is the recently revealed
alliance between France and Russia The seve-
raj versions do not agree as to what lts terms arc
Some go so far as to say that 1t is an offensive
and defensive alliance, ostensibly against Aus
tria, but aimed in reality against England
Others deny this, and assert that 1t Is merely
convention, the chief object of which is to confiae
the present war to Italy, by overaweing the Ger
man Confederation with the fact that it must en-
counter two hostile empires if it makes common
cause with Austria in defending her Italian tyran
MES The treaties-it is said there are two-are
reported to have been signed on the 22d of April,
and as they were secret their tenor had not been
made public at the last advices.
Though some of the English journals deny
that any such alliance has taken place, we have
no doubt of it. We have long seen that matters
were tending to such result. An abundance Of
circumstantial evidence could be produced to
prove it; but we need only cite some of the
points. The war in the Crimea was hastily
closed by France, much to the disgust of Eng
land, and before she had chance to retrieve her
military reputation. Matters in the Danubian
Principaities were settled quite to the liking of
Russia, and to the distaste of Austria and Turkey
by the connivance Of France. Then came the
meeting of the Emperors at Stuttgardt, after the
manner of the meeting at Tilsit. Soon after,
Russia found no opposition from France in es-
tablishing Der steam lines in the Mediterranean,
going even so far as to seek cession of the fine
port Of Villafranca for naval depot. Then fol-
lowed the uniform course of the Russian journals,
in and out Of Russia, adopting steady tone Of
amity in speaking of the aims OF Louis Napoleon
The climax of this course was reached by the an
nouncement in the St. Petersburg Gazette, as
long ago as the middle Of February last, that
Europe could not remain in her present condi.
tion-thst the treaties Of Vienna, so often vio-
lated, must now be revised-that Italy could not
remain in its present condition, and that Z" If
Europe does not decide to make some inevitable
changes, there will be an armed collision, and
on the day after a decisive battle these treaties
must be revised and remodelled."
These things, and many other similar indica-
tions of the current Of affairs in Europe, led us
some time since to see that the Anglo-French al
lance was in allegiance, and that the first step
in directing the course of European questions
had been taken by a Franco Russian compact.
What the terms Of this compact are is of little
importance, for their fulflment or failure must
depend upon the uncomfortable force of circum-
stances. Its objects we may surmise, and we be-
lieve they 60 far deeper than mere revision of
the treaties of Vienna. AS the elder Napoleon
pursued his meteor course across the face Of Eu-
rope, his views underwent steady modification
| until they settled down into those Napoleonic
ideas which his nephew, with great astuteness
| and power, is now seeking to establish as the
rule of European government These may be
summed up in few words:-The overthrow of
hat vast feudal system, founded by Charlemagne,
in which the throne was built upon the union of
the mobiles and the church; and the establish
ment of. empire upon the popular will, to be
sustained by q European confederation. This
scheme accords with the system Of Russia, and
hence she supports it. 1t attacks vitality the
British aristocracy. The whole internal policy
of Russia, ernancipating her serfs, elevating her
people, and diminishing the power of her mobiles,
is animated by it. And when it succeeds
Russia will be the Eastern and France the West
ern colossus of Continental Europe to be modi-
fed and reconstructed In accordance with the
social wants of future times by that very popu
lar will and intelligence which they have
created
In such contest as this Of to-day England
has no part. She herself is marching by dife.
rent path to the same end Of the social elevation
of man. For years she has condemned the pre-
sent condition OF things in Italy and endcavored
to bring about change by wise counsels to the
blind and foolish dynastics She cannot condemn
that others should practise what she has SO long
preached. Her path lies neither with France
nor Russia; but it lies with US of America; it
lies with the vast empire Of ffeemen which she
Is creating in far Australia. Together we have
to work out the problem Of seli-government, the
material and intellectual deyelopement of man
and the brotherhood Of nations. Let her not
bind upon herself new burdens In endeavoring
to preserve the forms Of degrading and worn
out feudalism. Suffer the down trodden peoples,
led by ambitious intellects, to root out the
wicked dynasties that now consume their growth.
| Ia her island home she is safe from foreign in.
vasion and internal CONFUSION. In sincere
anity with us, her position upon the sea is Sc.
cure. And the day is not far distant when Eng
lsh freedom, developed in America and rivetted
at the antipodes in Australia, shall be the nor
NAL condition Of the nations