The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-05-19
From the San Francisco Daily Herald, April 2S-'
The yVnP ClOud in Europe.

The affairs of Europe at this juncture possess unu-
sual interest for the American people. This Is so ap-
parent that we need not undertake to demonstrate the
proposition. All eyes are turned with soncitude To-
wards France as being the power expected 10 make
the first great move, whether that move be for peace
or war. Argument has been exhausted, ana even
every sort Of guess-work instituted, first to prove that
there must undoubtedly be war. and then TO SHOW
that it will all end in vapor. But the well INFORMED
and able Paris correspondent Of our french cotem-
porary. the Echo du Pacifque. supplied US on sat
urday last with q piece of intelligence which ieads 10
the irresistible conclusion that a crisis OF some klndis
near at hand. or was on the 9TH of March last, which
must soon settle the question one way or the other.
liz is no secret to the civilized world that fieomont
and Lombardy have been induced 10 assume their
present undisguised hostility to Austrian rule in Italy
through the instigations of Louis Napoleon and on ms
assured promise of assistance Owing to this exciung
cause the ~ feeling is predominant III those States
and they have actually progressed to the very verge
of declared warfare. Victor Emanuel had been led
to believe that France and the Emperor were iden-
teal Both the civil and military governments OF
that country are administered by him, ana without
his sanction France can do nothing. His word IS iaw,
and the law is but the reflection OF his VIII. Inc
~pledging of that word was amply sufficient to induce
a blind confidence in the fulldlment OF his promise.
Acting upon that pledged faith, that voluntary prom
Use. both Piedmont and Lombardy have been led into
expressions of the liveliest hatred and detestation OF
Austria. Victor Emanuel has even gone so far as to
be presented with an address from his people, which
breathes war in every sentence. and received that ad-
dress with every manifestation of approval. But the
Paris correspondent of the Echo du Pacyfque gives
the sequel to this extraordinary condition of Pied
mont. He says On the oath of February neither
the Belgian nor the German journals were received IN
Paris. 1t was soon discovered that they had been
stopped on the frontier because they contained a let
ter addressed by the King, Victor Emanuel. to the
Emperor. The police again played their eternal
comedy of useless precaution,' for on the following
morning the letter was circulated through II portion
of the Partisan world. l have been able to obtain n
copy, which / send you. This is the copy: Sire
If from political considerations of an interior char
acter, of which it does not behoove me to constitute
myself a judge, your Majesty's government should
abandon the cause of Italy, the detection of France
will be a thousand times more direful for Piedmont
than the loss Of the battle Of Novara- In view OF such
an event, which | would wish to deem impossible,
there would be nothing left me but to follow the ex-
ample of my father, the King, Charles Albert, and
lay aside a crown l could no longer wear with honor
to myself nor security to my people. Forced to alb
dictate the throne OF my fathers, it would be bnt due
to myself, the glory of my race, and the interests of
my country, to make known to the world the causes
which have placed me in the necessity of making 50
grievous q sicrihce.'
Here, then, we have n letter written by Victor
Emanuel himself to the Emperor of France, clearly
establishing the truth of what has been above alleged.
But most unfortunately for Piedmont and Lombardy,
they have lately discovered the truth of Solomon's
proverb, Put not faith In princes They have
found to their great cost that - there is u power
behind the throue,'' even in France. The money
market, that great barometer of the political atmos-
phere, has unmistakably shown that Louis Napoleon
alone-the people, not the army of France-can
make that promise good, or anEihilate 1t altogether.
That barometer has exhibited the sense of the French
people on several occasions. Louis Napoleon says
War, and the funds sink; Louis Napoleon says Peace,
and the funds rise. There is no installing this indi-
cation, and even the Emperor himself cannot lead his
eager soldiery into the field without money, and that
money France quietly but firmly refuses TO give. 1t
is a rubicon that cannot be overtepped; a barrier
that cannot be thrown down. Piedmont and Lom-
hardy will have learned on what a foundation of
imperial sand they have built their hopes. The
enthusiasm of their respective peoples will have
received a death-blow; the dependency of Italian
patriots will be deeper than ever, while the triumph
of Austria will be complete and her chains riveted
more strongly than before. 1t now remains to be
seen what action the French Emperor will have taken
in the premises, for in all likelihood the event has
been finally determined on ere this time. viii he
persist in his warlike aims despite the wishes of the
French people, trusting to their patriotism after the
fame shall have been kindled, and redeem his pro-
misses to Piedmont and Lombardy; or will he resent
the publication of Victor Emanuel's letter, and with
draw from the controversy? Will he be faithless to his
solemn promises, in which SO deep reliance has been
placed, or viii he keep his imperial word and pgssnn
the affair to a hostile termination! Tthst;or of his
great proi,ish.i, y little intersssaa il with anxiety.