Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-05-17
The War in Europe.

the line of that river, and was concenIa'oe "'
the foot of the Apprentices, where it could oeIler
resist the overwhelming forces of the AustrianS
until succored by the French In the mean
while large bodies of French soldiers were pour
ing into Sardinia through the port of Genoa ana
over the Alps at every point. The whole OF Italy
vvss in state of fermentation. The people were
aockipp from all parts of the country to join the
Sandman standard. Two battalions OF the army
Of Naples it is reported, have deserted their col
ors and gone over in body. The Duchies OF
Modena, Parma, and Tuscany have declared Tor
Sardinia, the Duke Of Tuscany having fed from
his domiuions Kossuth, it is also rumored, was
at Turin, and the desertion of Hungarians ana
Others from the Austrian army was anticipated
A mighty rising of the Italian people to assert
their nationality and throw off the Austrian
yoke, has undoubtedly taken place.
The other great European powers, pesldes
France, have not yet taken their position with
reference to the contest between Austria and Sar-
DINA. According to rumor, Russia has agreed
in secret treaty to stand by France; England
will probably endeavor to remain neutral, and
Prussia is said to sympathze with Austria, but
the fear oflosing her Rhine Provinces, which
were taken from France and given to Prussia IN
1916, will probably secure her neutrality.
The causes of the strife lie far ack in the past
In modern times it has always been an opJect
with the European powers, and especially with
Austria to prevent the union of the Italian
States in one government. We're these States
united and independent, they would hold COM
mand of the Mediterranean sea, and seriously in
terfere with the power Of Austria On the 9TH
or hand, were they under the dominion OF Aus
tris, "the balance of power" established in 1876
would be disturbed, and France particularly has
been interested to prevent that result. When
therefore, the governments of Europe were re-
constructed in 1915, after the fall of Napoleon
various independent sovereignties were establish
ed in Italy. The kingdom of Naples was giver
back to the Spanish Bodrbons; Lombardy ano
Venice were assigned to Austria; the Pope o.
Rome had the Estates of the Church" conAded
to him; the island of Sardinia, and Genoa, Pied
mont and Savoy, were erected into the kingdom
OF Sardinia, with member of the House OF "a
voy on the throne; and the various little indie
pendent Duchies of Tuscany, Modena, Parma
&c. were established. But while Austria had
as her portion of Italy lqminally only Lombar'
dy and Venice, her influence has been para
mount in all the States except Sardinia. Since
the settlement of 1916 she has acquired prac
teal control over nearly the whole Peninsula.
In 1s4S the general popular rising took place
iu Europe. Charles Albert, then King OF Sar'
DINA, granted constitutional government to bic
people, and attempted to put himself at the head
of the Italian revolutionary party, in opposition
to the dominion of Austria. He was defeated,
however, in great battle with the Austrian ar
my, and abdicated in favor of his son, Victor T.
manuel, the present Sovereign. Austria succeed
ed in suppressing the popular movements in the
other States, but the King of Sardinia has main
tanned his independence and stood firmly by the
pledges given to his people. The example of a
constitutional government in Italy, which sus-
tains freedom of worship and free press, and
which has also received and protected the po-
litical refugees from tine neghboring States, has
been in high degree annoying to the despotc
government of Austria, and she is now endeav'
oring to suppress the nuisance" France, how
ever, has deep personal and political interest
in the contest, and hence Louis Napoleon takes
the side of Sardinia. Victor Emanuel has be-
sides the hearty sympathy of the people in all
countries. He has proved himself an upright
able sovereign, and his Prime Minister, Count
Cavour, is pronounced the greatest living states
man. But with territory of only twenty nine
millions Of square miles and population of only
four and half millions, Sardinia would have to
succumb without the external succor which she
will certainly receive.
Extravaganza at Washington.
COL Netherland, the Opposition candidate fol
n .. l,1n