Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-05-18
The Causes of the War in Europe.

The Causes of the War in Europe. | Upon the downfall of Napoleon l, when the Holy Alliance found it necessary to reconstruct kingdoms, principalities and powers, the great difficulty lay in the appor- tionment of the Italian peninsula. The great statesman Richelieu, whom posterity has begun to do justice, called it "the key of the world" Situated as it is, if it could be placed under the control of one power, | it-would command the Mediterranean and control southern Europe. Each power was too jealous of the other to put the penin sula under single influence, and therefore parcelled it out. The peninsula in extent is about equal to the combined areas of Arkansas and Missouri, and has popula- ton of about twenty-five millions. The foot of the boot was given to the restored king of Naples, the inheritance of the Spanish Bourbons His dominion is about as large as the State of Tennessee, and con- tains ten millions of subjects. To the Pope was given a portion in the centre, stretching from sea to sea, about as large as ten of our counties, and with three mil lions of people. Tuscany was allotted to an Austrian prince of the House of Hops bug, with its two millions of people, Parma and Modena, with million of souls, were ruled over by princes also of Austrian extraction or under Austrian influences. The house of Hapsburg also held Lombar- do-Venetia, with a population of five mil lions, and an extent of territory about equal to twenty of our counties. Northern Italy was divided by the river Ticino and Lake Maggiore, the eastern portion being | Lombardo- Venetia, and the western being Sardinia, about the size of South Carolina, and a population of four millions. Sar- dinia was given to the house of Savoy.
 This division of Italy, it was supposed, would effectually preserve peace. If Italy had been attached to either of the great powers it would given it an irresistible influence. Lombardy had been conquered by Charles V of Austria, and during the peninsula war the same house of Hapsburg had acquired Venice. They were deter mined to acquire the whole of the peninsu- la. The conventions of Paris had scarcely dissolved until Austria effected a secret treoty with Naples, in July, 1853, by which the King of Naples agreed 1" to rule his do- minions in accordance with the views of the Austrian government" All the in- iucnces of that power were bent to crush every symptom of republicanism as soon as they manifested themselves. They made short work of rebellion or attempts at revo- luton. For instance, in 1920, Naples re- belled and forced her King to grant con stitution, and thereupon Austria marched an army there, and did this under cover of her secret treaty. In the succeeding year Sardinia demanded certain rights, where upon Austria marched an army there and crushed the attempt at partial freedom.- | Taking advantage of outbreaks at Bologna and otherpoints, she marched into the Papal States, and has always occupied some one point or other therein. With Parma and Modena she has treaty allowing her the right to occupy those States with mi litary force, whenever prudence shall re- eure it." Finally, Tuscany is governed by creature of Austria's It will thus be seen, that with the exception of Sardinia, she has extended her rule from one-fifth to four-tifths of the people of Italy. Sar dinia, in addition to her opposition to Aus trian sway, is more independent, more li beral, and has stronger democratic tenden- cies than the other States.
 The right of France to protect Sardinia is nnquestionable. The Emperor can find warrant for it under the dogma of the ba- lance of power. That Louis Napoleon in- tends to "annex" Italy is extremely doubt ful. He could only do so at the expense of a war with combined Europe Give Italy to Austria and 1t will make her one of the first powers on the continent of Flu rope-gvc it to France and she becomes decidedly the first It is evident that France could not permit any one power to control all Italy, though when cut up into petty states or kingdoms and duchies, it would be powerless to harm her. It is mere speculation to mention the designs of the French emperor. These, no doubt, will depend upon circumstances. Of course if he can obtain footing in Italy, he will do so.
 But, there is another point that must not be lost sight of There are in Italy real '' red republicans s"-men anxious of form ing democratic or republican government like ours; there are gallant men in each of the Italian States who dream of separate independence for each, and who will labor for that object. Let us hope that their dreams may prove realities. The war now just begun may extend all over Europe, and the smothered fires of liberty break out afresh.
 On the other hand, it will be seen that the ostensible, if not the real cause of the war is to preserve the balance of power, and the same powers that now league to drive Austria back would unite to crush out the democratic spirit that should exhi- bit itself.
 "Come Like Shadows, So Depart"